Cornerstones of Maine, a transitional living program for emerging young adults, is excited to announce the launch of its new Aftercare Program. Clients will be provided with weekly psychotherapy via Zoom and weekly coaching support in their home and in the community. The same team of clinicians and coaches who have spent the year understanding and bonding with the program’s clients facilitate the treatment provided in the aftercare program.

“Checking in with our clients after graduation, we recognized they would benefit from additional support as they settle into living on their own,” says Jacob Gelles, Co-Founder of Cornerstones of Maine. “So we developed this post-residential extension of our program to further ensure the success of our clients by providing them with continued support from their Cornerstones therapist and coach as they transition to independence”.

“Transitioning to your own apartment for the first time provides a host of new changes, and sometimes you can’t do that skill building until you are in it,” says Life Skills Coach Megan McCue. “They learn executive functioning skills while in the Cornerstones program, but when that scaffolding is removed there can be a regression. Aftercare coaching has allowed clients to have a softer landing and create sustainable changes for themselves, while still being supported by the team they built a trusting relationship with”.

Examples of the coaching support offered for an aftercare client primarily revolves around helping them to figure out independent living systems, ranging from checking the mail, paying bills on time and providing education surrounding late payment repercussions, picking out furniture, and contacting a landlord for repairs.

The aftercare program is offered to successfully graduated clients that have chosen to stay in southern Maine. Portland and Biddeford have tight knit young adult communities, making it common for clients to remain in the area. Many find apartments with fellow Cornerstones graduates, which speaks volumes in regard to the interpersonal growth and connections fostered for young adults in the program.

Additionally, the aftercare program will be announcing monthly dinner gatherings for Cornerstones’ alumni in the community. Cornerstones looks forward to serving graduated clients in this capacity as they settle into their next chapter and continue on their path to autonomy and achieving their life goals. 

About Cornerstones of Maine

Cornerstones of Maine is a clinically-focused transitional living program located in Portland and Biddeford, Maine. Their program assists 18 to 28 year old creative & bright determined emerging young adults who are struggling to live and function independently. Clients have a history of mood or anxiety disorders, executive functioning issues, social skill deficits, and academic challenges. Their program provides a therapeutic & experiential approach that gives structure and support based on each client’s individual needs. Cornerstones provides all gender accommodations that are LGBTQ+ affirming and the average length of stay is 9 to 12 months. For admissions information, email Aaron Rumsey at arumsey@cornerstonesofmaine.com.