Project Cornerstone

YMCA Project Cornerstone is a community initiative with the mission to create an environment where adults support and value all youth so they grow up feeling valued, respected, and known.

The Asset Building Champions (ABC) reading program gives our entire school community, from principal to student, a shared vocabulary and collective strategies for dealing with difficult situations both in and out of school. It is a structured opportunity for parents and other caring adults to foster Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) in elementary school students. ABC offers two distinct programs:

• a 2-year curriculum for students in grades TK-K

• a 3-year curriculum for students in grades 1-5

Each classroom is paired with one or more of our asset-trained parent volunteer readers, who visit the classroom once a month to read the book of the month, lead a discussion, and facilitate activities based on the book. Lessons focus on developing positive social skills and building one or more of the 41 developmental assets identified to help children thrive. ABC gives student a safe and caring place to talk about their feelings, experiences, and concerns.

Program Goals

• Create a common language and vocabulary to use when discussing student respect and behavior expectations.

• Help students develop the social-emotional skills needed to build strong friendships, deal with bullying, solve problems, be UPstanders, work through their emotions, include others, show empathy, have a growth mindset, develop a sense of self-efficacy and believe in themselves.   

• Increase the number of caring adults on campus so that all students feel that there is at least one adult they can turn to if they have a problem.

• Contribute to a positive school climate where every student feels valued and supported in order to achieve and thrive.

For more information about YMCA Project Cornerstone, visit the program website: https://www.ymcasv.org/ymca-project-cornerstone

2026-2027 Champion Year Books (Grades 1-5)

2026-2027 Friendship Year Books (TK/K)

Join Our Mission!

Do you like to read to children?

Can you spare just 3 hours a month?

If you answered YES to both questions, you are invited to volunteer as a classroom reader!

Spending an hour in your child's class can make a world of difference! It's a great opportunity for moms, dads, grandparents, nannies, and family friends to support children in a meaningful way. Plus, students LOVE to see their own grown-up in the classroom!

What's Involved?

Monthly training, books, discussion topics, and classroom activities are provided. Volunteer commitment is approximately 3 hours per month for eight months. To foster a supportive, trusting relationship between you and your classroom, we ask that your volunteer commitment is for the whole school year. 

Volunteer Requirements (Before You Get Started):

• Complete the CUSD/Dilworth volunteer requirements:  

  • • 2026-2027 Volunteer Form on Permission Click (must fill out each year for each school site)

    • Mandated Reporter Training (must complete every 2 years)

    • TB Screening (must complete every 4 years)

    • CUSD LiveScan Fingerprinting (one time for the district)

• Complete the YMCA/Project Cornerstone ABC Program Volunteer application and training through Volunteer Matters (one time)

Monthly Commitment (2 hours prep, 1 hour in class):

• Review provided book and lesson plan, optional drop-in virtual office hours available (60 minutes)

• Prepare and adapt for your lesson on your own schedule (45-60 minutes)

• Coordinate a reading date with your classroom teacher and co-reader

• Read book, discuss, and lead activity in your classroom (45-60 minutes)

It's ideal to have just one or two readers per classroom. If there are more than two readers signed up, we may suggest the opportunity to read in another room that may not have enough volunteers.

Questions? Suggestions? Ready to Volunteer?

Contact Frances Han, Dilworth Project Cornerstone Lead:

Email:  ProjectCornerstone@DilworthHSC.org

Text/WhatsApp:  408-489-9256