CT Realtors Honor Late Cornerstone Shelter Director With Hero Grant

VERNON, CT — The CT REALTORS Foundation has announced that a Hometown Heroes Grant has been awarded to to the Cornerstone Foundation in memory of the Bryan Flint Sr.

The $10,000 grant will be used toward transitional housing programs to help homeless individuals secure more permanent housing, organization officials said.

Flint is the the former deputy director and shelter director at Cornerstone. He died in a car accident on May 7, 2023.

"Bryan was an extraordinary advocate for the homeless," CT REALTORS Foundation Chair Dan Keune said. "It's one thing to say someone loves their community and cares about people but he committed his life to it. He got up every day to make a difference. Bryan truly is a hometown hero."

Keune said the mission of the CT REALTORS Foundation is "to be good neighbors to our members, our communities, and the world, demonstrating that CT REALTORS care."

The Foundation's charitable efforts and grant programs encompass homeless prevention, transitional assistance from homeless shelters to housing, disaster relief, addressing aspects of opioid use disorder including removing the stigma, pet rescue and college scholarships.

"Bryan Flint Sr. has been named a Hometown Hero by the CT REALTORS Foundation for his
unwavering dedication to the homeless and the greater Rockville community. Bryan’s tireless work and compassion were central to Cornerstone's mission of keeping people safe, fed, housed, and clothed," Keune said.

Bryan Flint's daughter, Alexis Flint, who has succeeded him at Cornerstone, said, "We are
profoundly grateful to CT REALTORS and the Hometown Heroes Program for honoring my father
with this recognition and generous donation to Cornerstone. It is bittersweet to witness how deeply my dad touched this community and to continue working to keep his legacy alive."

Bryan Flint was known for his hands-on approach, whether it was educating clients, providing
security deposits from his own personal funds, assisting with apartment searches, or delivering food and essential supplies to those in need. His profound impact on the community is remembered and celebrated through this grant.

"My dad dedicated his life to helping those in need, with a special focus on transitional housing and ensuring people had a place to call home," Alexis said. "This grant beautifully highlights my
dad's unwavering passion for always doing the next right thing."

Cornerstone's executive director, Sharon Redfern, was also appreciative.

"Connecticut Realtors have been good friends to Cornerstone over the years. This latest gift from the CT REALTORS Foundation is another example of support for people who are struggling to get or maintain housing," she said. ":These are very difficult times for people in need of affordable housing and this gift will be extremely helpful in paying necessary expenses that current programs do not cover. We are deeply grateful for this grant.

"Cornerstone extends a heartfelt thank you to Dan Keune for his decades of support to our mission. Dan, his family and team have supported Cornerstone by participating in numerous events each year, making significant donations, hosting food and clothing drives, and much more."

Alexis Flint said she was "moved to tears" when Keune called to inform her that her father had been chosen for the Hometown Heroes Program.

"This honor not only reinforces my faith in our community but also highlights the dedication so many have shown in supporting Cornerstone," she said.

The funds Cornerstone is set to receive from the Hometown Heroes Program will be utilized to help
clients secure housing with security deposits and other essential needs. This grant will further
Cornerstone's mission of providing transitional assistance and ensuring that everyone has a safe
place to call home.

A check ceremony took place on May 30 at Cornerstone's Community Center at 3 Prospect St. in Vernon.