When Josh Pierce saw a need in his hometown, Tehachapi, he got to work creating a solution. Born and raised in Tehachapi, Josh always knew that drugs were a problem for the area. It wasn’t until he returned to Tehachapi that he discovered that 13% of the community battles drug addiction.

Because of the needs he saw in the community, Josh founded Cornerstone Center for Counseling and Discipleship in 2018. Cornerstone offers individual and family counseling, group counseling, discipleship, and development classes. Their vision is to provide affordable mental health services to the community, regardless of their ability to pay.

The Birth of Cornerstone Center for Counseling and Discipleship

Josh received his bachelor’s degree in Christian Ministry from Point Loma Nazarene University. After his undergraduate studies, he got a Master of Divinity with a certificate in Pastoral Counseling from Nazarene Theological Seminary. He serves as an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene.

After receiving his education, Josh returned to his hometown, Tehachapi. When talking to pastors in the community, many told Josh that affordable mental health care is a major need for the community. As Josh worked with people facing substance abuse issues in the local prison, he saw the effectiveness of evidence-based practices.

One night, Josh was watching This Week Tonight with John Oliver. During that program, he learned about the corruptions in the substance abuse treatment industry. Watching it, Josh thought, “I could do better.”

Although Cornerstone is a faith-based company, the programs they offer are not. They believe that a client should choose how to face addiction and treatment. Josh and his team at Cornerstone seek to meet the needs of the whole person. By addressing these needs, they can work on addressing addiction.

Cornerstone was founded in 2018 and its doors opened in March 2020, one week before the Covid-19 pandemic hit. By November 2020, most of the programs had to be shut down because of the pandemic.

The Future of Cornerstone

Cornerstone is read to fully open their doors again, although they are struggling financially. Because it is their goal to never turn anyone away based on their inability to pay, they rely on the financial gifts of donors.

Down the road, Josh would love to use excess income to help clients find jobs, get an education, and find stable housing. Within five years, Cornerstone hopes to have a full medical detox facility and a full inpatient addiction treatment facility.

To address other needs in the community, the team at Cornerstone hopes to open a restaurant to use as a job training ground for clients. Because the restaurant would not be trying to make a profit, they would be able to pay employees a healthy, living wage.

Substance abuse treatment is just a small piece of the larger vision Josh has for ministering to his community.

Donate to Cornerstone Today

Cornerstone Center for Counseling and Discipleship needs donor funds to get back on track. Closures due to Covid-19 and vandalism have left them struggling for the financial means necessary to provide this vital service to the community.

Right now, Cornerstone is raising funds to help them fully open their doors to the community. My husband and I donated to this campaign because we see the value in treating those facing addiction and know the needs of this particular ministry. We don’t share this to make people think we’re good people, but to inspire others to get involved. If we can do it, you can, too.

To donate to Cornerstone, follow this link to their current fundraising campaign.