Cornerstone Montgomery is the largest provider of mental health and co-occurring substance use disorders programming, housing, treatment and supports in Montgomery County, MD.  Serving more than 2,400 youth and adults in their 86 locations, Cornerstone helps people regain their lives through outpatient mental health and somatic health care, employment services, life skills training as well as transitional and permanent supported housing.  One in 17 have mental illness among those with low income, and 50% of those have substance abuse and have a 25% shorter life spanned. Cornerstone has 24 hour group homes with 212 beds and 3 out patient crises houses (for 7 to 10 day stays) and a staff of 280

The persons in the attached photo left to right are Krystina Bigby (Barwood Taxi),Bruce Fowler (RCNB), Anne Peyer (Cornerstone), Cari Cho(CEO Cornerstone).

Bruce has a B.S. degree in Marine Biology from the University of Washington in 1968 and a Ph.D in Pathology from the University of Oregon Medical School in 1972.  Dr. Fowler is an internationally recognized expert on the toxicology of metals and has served on a number of State, National and International Committees in his areas of expertise.  He talked about the source and health effect of mercury.  It enters our water supply from mining run offs and vaporized mercury odorless gases from coal fired electricity plants that effect the sea food chain.  The biggest health threat is mercury in the sea food chain along the East Coast of the US.

Paul DelPonte is Commissioner on Aging in Montgomery County.  Longevity is 75% controlled by the individual by diet, exercise and activity.  Our grandchildren who follow this regimen will routinely live past 100 years.  Unfortunately 40% will become obese and shortened their life.