When Cornerstone Youth Center holds its annual banquet, guests will get to learn more about the organization while also hearing the inspirational message of the keynote speaker, pastor Phil Hernandez.

The banquet will be held on Thursday, March 20, at Mount Calvary Christian School's Family Life Center, 629 Holly St., Elizabethtown. Doors will open at 5 p.m., and dinner will begin at 6 p.m.

Hernandez will share his story of transformation. Growing up in Lancaster, he became a juvenile offender and was asked to leave the city and not come back. He moved to New York, where he became involved in more gang- and drug-related activity.

"After contemplating ending his life, he cried out and encountered God in a miraculous way," shared Jim Bush, Cornerstone executive director. "God prompted him to come back to Lancaster, where Pastor Phil began working as a counselor in the juvenile justice system, became the first Hispanic director of the Boys and Girls Club and founded In the Light Ministries, a fellowship of churches that has grown from a home Bible study to over 30 churches from Lancaster to Costa Rica."

Hernandez will discuss the importance of having a place like Cornerstone for youths to come and encounter Jesus, be mentored and grow in their faith to become future leader leaders in the community, Bush said.

The banquet will also feature a silent auction, a live auction of student-produced artwork, dinner and additional speakers.

"The dinner will be catered by Mission BBQ and will feature pulled chicken and pork, macaroni and cheese, green beans and rolls, as well as drinks and desserts," Bush shared. "District Justice Randall Miller will share about the importance of having a place like Cornerstone in our community and the impact it has on students who he sees in his courtroom."

The banquet is Cornerstone's biggest fundraiser of the year, and it supplies nearly one-third of the organization's annual donations, Bush said. Proceeds are used to provide after-school programs for middle and high school students, including access to a skatepark, a rock-climbing wall, a basketball court, a coffeehouse and a music room.

"We also serve meals to the students each day and teach a relevant Bible lesson every day," Bush commented. "In addition, we have tutoring, peer mentorship opportunities and discipleship groups available for students who want to grow in their faith and knowledge."

Cornerstone Youth Center, located at 95 S. Wilson Ave., Elizabethtown, is fully funded by donations from individuals, businesses and churches in the community.

"We need your help to continue to provide the students of our community with a safe and fun environment where they can build healthy relationships, be introduced to the Gospel and experience wholeness in life through Christ," Bush stated. "We are committed to continuing the work of Jesus Christ by meeting the spiritual, physical and emotional needs of youth in partnership with their families, local churches and the community."

This has been a busy and productive year for Cornerstone.

"This past year, Cornerstone has invested in the leadership development of our high school students by initiating a new program called the EMPOWER Youth Leadership Initiative, which ran for eight weeks over the summer," Bush said. "Fifteen students participated in the program, and 11 completed all the requirements and graduated from the program in July. Graduates of the program became eligible to apply to become peer mentors for our middle school students."

Cornerstone also created a Creative Arts Club, which provides students with an opportunity to learn a new skill or express themselves through various creative outlets. The organization upgraded its facilities, especially in the student programming areas, and hired a new staff member - development coordinator Sammi Simmons - to expand community connections.

Looking ahead, Bush is optimistic about continued growth at Cornerstone.

"In 2025, we plan to continue to make much-needed upgrades and repairs to our facility, including replacing and/or repairing some of our skatepark ramps, revamping our music room and building a music program, which will provide our students with opportunities to learn an instrument and play together in a band," he said. "We also will continue the EMPOWER and peer mentoring programs and further develop our summer programming to include some opportunities for elementary students to participate in activities at Cornerstone in order for them to become familiar with all Cornerstone has to offer."

The Cornerstone banquet is made possible by sponsors, including Brown Plus. There are still opportunities for businesses and organizations to become a sponsor. For more information on becoming a sponsor or donating to Cornerstone, contact Bush at 717-367-0000, ext. 1.

Tickets are required to attend the banquet. To learn more, visit https://cornerstoneetown.org.