Ribbon Cutting and Completed Move

Cornerstone Special Care marked two major milestones last fall: an August 12 ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house celebrating its new 45,000-square-foot facility, and the completion of its move to that new Sterling home on October 15.

After nearly 50 years serving individuals with developmental and medically complex needs, Cornerstone Special Care, a HutsonWood Community, has left its longtime home on Woodlawn Road for a new, purpose-built campus at 815 W. 23rd Street. The $25 million facility sits on 25 acres and can accommodate 84 residents, two per room, across four households. It includes sensory spaces for therapeutic and educational activities, a conference room, and a lounge for visiting families, and its halls are decorated with photos of residents and staff alongside artwork the residents created themselves.

“This campus represents more than new walls and fresh paint. It represents progress, a bold step forward in how we serve individuals with developmental disabilities,” said Doug Smith, President and CEO of HutsonWood, at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “This beautiful, purpose-built community will provide our residents with more room to grow, more opportunities to thrive, and more of what we all want, a place to call home.”

“Today is more than a celebration, it's a promise realized,” said Melissa Francque, Executive Director of Cornerstone Special Care. “This new facility is designed to honor choice, promote independence, and nurture connection. It offers comfort, security, and joy, and most importantly, it offers a setting where every person is seen not by a diagnosis, but by their unique personality, their gifts, and their humanity.”

“Ribbon cuttings are special. They mark the beginning of something new. But this one carries extra meaning, because it's not just about a new building, it's about renewed purpose,” said Jim Ridenour, HutsonWood Board Chair. “We are proud of this new space, but we are even prouder of the people who fill it.”

Cornerstone Special Care, formerly known as Exceptional Care & Training Center, has been part of HutsonWood since 1988. It operates under a unique medically complex license, one of only nine in Illinois, and serves residents from across the state, some of whom have been with the organization for 40 years.