Impact Report 2022-23

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

. 

. 

MESSAGE FROM OUR FOUNDERS. 4 

FINANCIALS 6 

MISSION . 8 

OUR WORK . 10 

PROGRAMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 

EMERGENCY RESPONSES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 

. 

. 

Ukraine War . 14 

Hurricane Ian. 20 

Kentucky Floods . 24 

Pakistan Floods . 26 

Brazil Floods . 28 

Hurricane Fiona 30 

McKinney Fire 32 

HIGHLIGHTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 

. 

North Carolina. 36 

Haiti . 38 

New Orleans. 40 

Chicago. 41 

Brazil 41 

Georgia. 42 

Venezuela . 46 

Navajo Nation . 48 

OUR PARTNERS. 50 

STAFF AND CULTURE . 52 

MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS . 62 

LEADERSHIP. 66

MESSAGE FROM 

OUR FOUNDERS 

Since CORE’s inception (originally as J/P HRO) over 

12 years ago, our approach has been to provide 

critical humanitarian relief for communities who 

need it most by listening, learning, and taking 

action. A willingness to take calculated risks and 

to constantly adapt has fueled our growth as an 

organization and allows us to remain nimble to 

respond to urgent needs around the globe. 

In 2022, this agile approach allowed us to expand 

our reach to the frontlines of the war in Ukraine and 

provide tailored support to communities reeling 

from devastating floods in Kentucky, Pakistan, and 

Brazil, hurricanes in Florida and Puerto Rico, and a 

catastrophic wildfire in California. It also allowed us 

to continue adapting our long-term support in Haiti 

to address widespread humanitarian needs during 

civil unrest. 

uncertainty and major risks, CORE implemented the systems, processes, and 

controls necessary to manage a rapidly growing operation. In our commitment 

to be a best-in-class global humanitarian organization, we worked hard to 

address challenges, apply lessons learned, and rapidly improve our operations 

across the board. We are pleased to have received an audit for 2022 that 

reflects these significant improvements. 

As we work to achieve our vision of a more equitable world in which 

underserved communities can effectively respond to crisis from within, we will 

continue to listen, learn, and take action. Taking risks and adapting to rapidly 

changing realities will always be part of our ethos at CORE. It’s how we will 

continue to grow as an organization and keep supporting those who need relief 

most across the globe. And we remain committed to transparency and being 

good stewards of our donors’ funds and trust. 

We are immensely grateful for the many supporters, staff, volunteers, and 

community partners who have played a critical role in helping CORE reach 

over 10 million people and counting with vital humanitarian relief. We are more 

excited than ever for what the future holds as we strive to create a more just 

world, one community at a time. 

The global COVID-19 pandemic represented 

a watershed moment for CORE. Due to the 

unprecedented scale of the disease’s spread, CORE 

leadership made the conscious decision to respond, 

notwithstanding the risks involved. Throughout the 

pandemic, we mobilized to deliver nearly 7 million 

free COVID tests and close to 3 million vaccine 

doses. During this time, CORE grew from 120 

employees to an organization of 2,500 employees. 

A mobilization many had expected to last a few 

months became a two-year effort. Despite this 

SEAN PENN 

CO-FOUNDER & 

CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD 

ANN LEE 

CO-FOUNDER & 

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 

4 | IMPACT REPORT 2022–23 www.COREresponse.org | 5

FINANCIALS 

When you invest in our mission, the most vulnerable communities around the 

world are empowered to survive and thrive beyond crisis. Due to the incredible 

support of our donors and partners in 2022, CORE was able to expand our 

reach in Asia, South America, Europe, and the U.S. We are so grateful for the 

trust you place in us, and in turn, it is our goal to be exceptional stewards of your 

generous donations. 

In striving to be a best-in-class global humanitarian organization, CORE has 

made investments in a number of key areas in 2022. 

Investments in staff care and safeguarding of our beneficiaries and 

employees, implementing a robust employee resilience program for 

staff support and a confidential, anonymous reporting portal for potential 

violations of our Code of Conduct, anywhere CORE works. 

We hired seasoned staff in Finance & Accounting, Information 

Technology, People & Culture and Grant Management for compliance of 

federal awards and improvement of our timekeeping/payroll systems. 

Our Finance & Accounting department greatly strengthened 

internal controls and audit readiness; streamlined our general ledger 

reconciliation of our entire Chart of Accounts; and ensured documentation, 

including in-depth review and approvals on invoices, invoice payment, 

timesheets, and other processes. 

All areas for improvement identified in our 2020 and 2021 audits were 

addressed, including a Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards that 

was completed with no exceptions from the auditors in 2022. This was 

achieved by implementing a matrix of all grant awards encompassing 

information on funding source, award, and CFDA numbers. The matrix is 

reviewed by management monthly for accuracy and completeness. 

Recognition of Revenue has improved tremendously due to CORE’s 

more robust policies and procedures for tracking of grants, grant 

requirements, and revenue recognition review. We are committed to 

6 | IMPACT REPORT 2022–23 

revenue being recognized in the proper period and based on applicable 

accounting principles. 

Document retention has also been enhanced as a result of our updated 

policies and procedures. 

Our year-end closing process has vastly improved after implementing 

additional procedures to ensure all necessary journal entries are recorded, 

accounts are reconciled, and management reviews monthly financial 

reporting. 

These efforts won’t stop here — there is always room to learn and improve. 

CORE remains committed to rigorous fiscal controls, routinely reevaluating 

our processes, conducting external audits, and inviting desk audits from our 

generous partners. 

We invite you to review our enclosed 2022 financial audit statement, which 

details the results of our steadfast commitment to strengthening our financial 

reporting systems, People and Culture processes, and staffing over the past 

year. We are committed to transparency and invite you to contact us with any 

questions regarding our finances at development@coreresponse.org. 

AUDITED FINANCIALS 

Revenue 

Government Contracts 33,177,310 

Contributions and Grants 30,168,126 

TOTAL 63,345,436 

Expenses 

Program 48,843,859 

Management & General 19,878,435 

Fundraising 4,468,515 

TOTAL 73,190,809 

Change in Net Assets –9,845,373 

Total Assets 46,960,083 

Total Liabilities 10,292,955 

Net Assets 36,667,128 

www.COREresponse.org | 7

We empower 

communities 

in and beyond 

crisis. 

[ MISSION ] 



OUR WORK | PROGRAMS 

Emergency response is foundational at CORE. It’s how we formed our roots in 

2010 as J/P HRO in response to the Haiti earthquake, and today, we continue 

to respond to some of the most pressing humanitarian crises worldwide. 

However, it’s only the beginning of what we do. An acute emergency is an 

opportunity for us to address inequities that drive vulnerable communities into 

crisis in the first place. 

Our initial response in Haiti led to long-term recovery and community 

empowerment efforts that continue today, such as the School of Hope, our 

dental clinic, and youth music programs. With your generous support, we’ve 

mirrored this approach in much of the work we’re doing around the world. 

In 2022, our long-term community empowerment efforts continued with 

global COVID-19 relief programs, Mpox and flu vaccinations in Georgia, gun 

violence prevention in Chicago, wildfire mitigation and emergency response in 

California, and emergency responses to floods in Brazil. 

When war broke out in Ukraine, CORE was on the ground within days 

coordinating with partners to address urgent humanitarian needs. Since then, 

we’ve been working to support displaced people who have been devastated 

by the war with vital resources, including shelter, food, psychosocial support, 

clean water, and hygiene supplies. We’re continuing to work with the local 

communities and our local Ukrainian staff to determine how best to support 

long-term needs in the second year of this protracted war. 

Once Category 4 Hurricane Ian was forecast to 

wreak havoc on the Southeast, we prepositioned 

supplies and staff in Florida. Our teams responded 

immediately to the most heavily affected 

communities in Lee County and stayed for months 

to help them get back on their feet, providing 

roof tarping and repairs, home medical wellness 

checkups, debris removal and muck-out kits, and 

FEMA assistance. Most importantly, we did this in 

collaboration with local agencies and critical local 

partners to ensure we left the community stronger for 

the long term. 

In the wake of historic floods that submerged 

one-third of Pakistan, we coordinated with our 

local partner, Riverside Development Organization, 

to support the most affected communities with 

hygiene kits, food, mobile medical clinics, and 

mosquito nets to protect people and livestock 

from waterborne diseases. We’re now working on 

building retaining walls to ensure these vulnerable 

communities can withstand future floods. And 

following our emergency response to floods that 

devastated rural Eastern Kentucky, we hired locally to 

help affected communities and remain there today 

working to help them recover and rebuild. 

As humanitarian needs continue to mount here 

in the U.S. and worldwide, we are committed 

to supporting marginalized and vulnerable 

communities with relief that not only responds to 

their specific needs, but supports their increased 

resilience to future disaster. 

WHAT CORE 

RESPONDS TO: 

PUBLIC HEALTH 

- Disease Outbreak 

- Gun Violence Prevention 

CONFLICT 

- Displacement: 

IDPs and Refugees 

NATURAL DISASTERS 

- Earthquakes 

- Hurricanes 

- Floods 

- Wildfires 

- Heatwaves 



OUR WORK | EMERGENCY RESPONSES 

Whether here in the U.S. or in vulnerable communities around the world, climate 

change has exacerbated the impact of natural disasters. CORE has seen a marked 

increase in climate-related disasters, and data shows an increasing trend in the 

severity of such disasters in the coming years. In 2022, our emergency response 

teams deployed at a moment’s notice in the aftermath of floods, earthquakes, 

hurricanes, as well as conflict. Wherever disaster strikes, we continue to work 

with local partners and community members to ensure they receive the tailored 

support they need. What’s more, we are working to ensure communities are 

empowered and prepared when the next disaster inevitably strikes. 

Ukraine War 

(Ukraine, Poland, Romania) 

McKinney Fire 

(Siskiyou County, CA) 

03 

Kentucky Floods 

(Eastern Kentucky) 

Hurricane Ian 

(Lee County, Florida) 

Pakistan Floods 

(Sindh District, Pakistan) 

Hurricane Fiona 

(Puerto Rico) 

Brazil Floods 

(Petrópolis & Bahia) 

CORE RELIEF 

HEALTH LIVELIHOODS SHELTER 

“CORE has been such a critical partner, hardcharging, 

impact-focused, and always willing 

and eager to tackle the biggest challenges. 

We are very grateful!” 

FOOD 

CASH & VOUCHER 

ASSISTANCE (CVA) 

WATER, SANITATION & 

HYGIENE (WASH) 

MENTAL HEALTH/ 

PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT 

NON-FOOD ITEMS (NFI) 

REFUGEES/DISPLACEMENT 

SUPPORT 

ANDREW SWEET 

VICE PRESIDENT 

GLOBAL COVID-19 RESPONSE AND RECOVERY 


KRAINE 

Ukraine War 

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, resulting in the largest 

humanitarian crisis in Europe since World War II. The war forced millions from 

their homes in search of safety within Ukraine and in neighboring countries. 

Damage to residential areas significantly crippled civilian infrastructure 

throughout Ukraine, and many of those who have fled the country have been 

forced to leave behind most of their possessions. This created an urgent need for 

food, medication, hygiene items, safe shelter, cash assistance, and much more. 

EMERGENCY 

Humanitarian Crisis, War in Ukraine 

CORE’S RESPONSE 

Feb. 2022 – present 

LOCATION(S) 

Ukraine, Poland, Romania 

PROGRAMS 

NFI, Water, Food, Shelter, Cash and 

Voucher Assistance, Information, Hygiene, 

Psychosocial, Medicine, Winterization 

225,000 

PEOPLE SUPPORTED 

87,000 

REFUGEES SUPPORTED 

$800,000 

CASH ASSISTANCE PROVIDED 

65,000 people in Ukraine 

provided with food 

57,000 warm garments and 

blankets distributed 

20,300 hygiene kits distributed 

60 shelters supported 



KRAINE 

CORE’s Response: 

Within days of the February 2022 invasion, CORE’s team was on the ground in 

Poland coordinating with partners to provide relief to refugees fleeing Ukraine. 

Since then, CORE has worked with over 70 global and local partners to support 

displaced Ukrainians, including UN agencies, American Red Cross, and the 

municipalities of host cities. Together, we have been providing holistic support in 

Poland, Romania, and Ukraine, to address acute and long-term needs, including: 

Cash and rental assistance – providing cash and gift cards to empower 

families to make their own decisions around purchasing necessities We 

also launched a refillable digital cash card program, in partnership with 

Mastercard and EML, to help families get access to essential items, such 

as food, water, and safe transit to shelter; rental assistance program 

supporting IDPs fleeing hostilities 

Shelter – supporting community-based shelters with staffing and supplies 

to sustain and scale crucial operations housing refugees and IDPs. We’ve 

also partnered with UNHCR to rehabilitate buildings to provide safe, livable 

longer-term housing solutions for displaced Ukrainians 

Information – supporting Info Points for refugees arriving in Poland and 

Romania to help them navigate their arrival in a new country and find 

resources to support themselves away from their homes 

Resource Distribution – providing food, medicine, and essential supplies 

in Poland, Romania, and frontline and recently liberated areas in Ukraine, in 

partnership with American Red Cross 

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene – distributing hygiene kits and providing 

water solutions for areas with severely damaged infrastructure 

Psychosocial Support – implementing mental wellness and protection 

services for refugees, particularly women and children; organizing social 

integration activities, including art events, language classes, and schooling 

Winterization – distributing generators, coal, and firewood to provide 

warmth during cold winter months; providing warm garments, in 

partnership with SAE-A 

Partnerships – brokering partnerships with local governments to legitimize 

and increase the impact of our investments in community-based projects 



KRAINE 

Ukraine War | Svitlana’s Story 

The deadly war in Ukraine has forced survivors to flee home and part with loved 

ones, leaving millions in limbo within the country and abroad. In search of 

safety, internally displaced Ukrainians and refugees have struggled to navigate 

next steps while carrying the heartache and trauma of loss and uncertainty. 

The outskirts of Mykolaiv in southern Ukraine have been hot zones of violence. 

At the start of the war, Svitlana and her brother hid and slept in the cellar of their 

building to escape constant shelling. Elevators in residential buildings were not 

functional, and while the two managed to shelter in place, their elderly parents 

were stuck on the seventh floor of their building, leaving the pair in constant 

fear for their safety. “When it became too unbearable and we understood that 

something should be done, we left the city,” Svitlana said. 

After an orphanage couldn’t house the entire family, they made their way to 

Izmail, Odesa, to a CORE-supported sports arena turned longer-term shelter. 

For Ukrainians fleeing Mykolaiv and surrounding areas, the safe and clean 

living conditions at the arena provided a semblance of normalcy. “There is 

water. There is also a place to cook, do laundry. There are rooms that were just 

renovated and those which were still in process. All is done with love. Comfort is 

created. We felt the difference,” Svitlana shared. 

As the war rages on, CORE continues to provide comfort and warmth 

across Ukraine, Poland, and Romania. Alongside local governments and 

partners, CORE sponsored community shelters, renovated and rehabilitated 

infrastructure to meet influx needs, established host programs, and distributed 

life-saving items to Ukrainians in need, including generators, furniture, food, and 

material goods. CORE remains committed to keeping families like Svitlana’s safe 

and together through our robust shelter program. 

“All is done with 

love. Comfort is 

created. We felt the 

difference.” 

-Svitlana 

Mykolaiv resident forced to relocate 

during the war in Ukraine. 


LORIDA 

Hurricane Ian 

In September 2022, Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 

storm. It proved to be one of the deadliest to ever hit the United States and the 

costliest in Florida’s history. In total, Ian was responsible for more than 150 direct 

fatalities and $110 billion in damages in the U.S. alone*. As with most disasters, 

low-income and vulnerable communities were hit especially hard. Needs 

abounded in South Florida, extending from basic necessities and medical care 

to debris removal and roof repairs. 

*Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) 

EMERGENCY 

Category 4 Hurricane 

CORE’S RESPONSE 

Sept. 2022 – Dec. 2022 

LOCATION(S) 

Lee County, FL 

PROGRAMS 

Health, Shelter, WASH, NFI, 

Debris Cleanup 

10,000 

INDIVIDUALS SUPPORTED 

706 

HOMES PROVIDED WITH 

ROOF COVERINGS/REPLACEMENTS 

283 households visited with 

medical checkups 

275 hygiene kits 

185 baby kits 

49 debris kits 

CORE’s Response 

As the devastating, forecasted impact of Hurricane Ian became clear, CORE 

prepositioned supplies and staff in Florida. With generous support from our 

partners, our teams mobilized as soon as possible after the Category 4 storm 

made landfall. In coordination with local partners and government agencies, we 

supported the hardest-hit communities in Lee County. 

Alongside fellow disaster response partners — including World Central Kitchen, 

All Hands & Hearts, United Way, Baby2Baby, Lee County Southwest Florida 

Emergency Management, and others — our teams distributed vital resources, 

from food and water to debris removal and muck-out kits. We also assisted 

hard-hit communities with FEMA assistance and internet connectivity, as well as 

door-to-door medical wellness checkups. 

In addition to emergency relief, CORE supported recovery efforts alongside our 

partners in Lee County. We partnered with AmeriCorps on volunteer service, 

including assessments, coordination with partners, and roof tarping. 

With Walmart’s generous $350,000 rapid response grant, CORE was able to 

quickly mobilize a roof repair program in underserved and elderly communities. 

Our teams distributed over 550 heavy-duty tarps to provide immediate 

protection to homes with roof damage, and installed roof coverings on 135 

homes with extensive damage and new roofs on 21 mobile homes in hard-hit 

retirement and low-income communities in the county. By December 2022, 

CORE supported 706 households with roof coverings or replacements. 



FLORIDA 

Hurricane Ian | Samuel’s Story 

When Samuel received a late evacuation notice 

to leave his home in Cape Coral as Hurricane Ian 

approached Florida, he worried he wouldn’t be able to 

continue his cancer treatments. He went to a friend’s 

home two blocks away to weather the storm. 

The unrelenting hurricane, which recorded wind 

speeds just shy of a Category 5, tore off parts of the 

roof where Samuel and company were taking shelter. 

Floodwaters rushed into the home. “I found more faith 

in the three hours that night with water coming in the 

door than I’d found my entire life,” Samuel reflected. 

When the storm subsided, Samuel returned home 

to find the “little piece of heaven” he’d found after 

relocating from the Midwest 15 years prior in 

shambles. All the asphalt and shingles from the roof 

had been ripped off. Windows had been blown in. The 

drywall in the ceiling and in two rooms was destroyed. 

As Samuel began the process of reassembling his 

life, CORE was there to help. CORE teams tarped 

Samuel’s roof, making it watertight again so he had a 

place to live while recovering. “I could not be okay if I 

had nowhere to sleep. And because of CORE, I have 

a home, I have a place to reside in for now,” Samuel 

said. “Although it’s damaged and battered, and 

nowhere near what it was before, it’s still home.” 

“Because of the 

generosity and the 

kind thoughtfulness 

of people like CORE, 

that really made 

the difference 

between this being 

just a bad situation 

to something that 

could have been 

catastrophic for me. 

I really appreciate it.” 

-Samuel 

Cape Coral, Fla., resident affected 

by Hurricane Ian 

22 | IMPACT REPORT 2022–23 www.COREresponse.org | 23

ENTUCKY 

Kentucky Floods 

Torrential rainfall in July and August of 2022 caused catastrophic flooding in 

central Appalachia. In Eastern Kentucky, the floods caused dozens of deaths, 

injuries, and destruction that stranded hundreds of people without their homes. 

Many affected areas lie in hard-to-reach terrain. As relief was administered 

and vital needs were assessed, heavy rain continued to cause flooding and 

additional challenges in the region. 

EMERGENCY 

Severe Flooding 

RESPONSE 

Aug. 2022 – present 

LOCATION(S) 

Eastern Kentucky 

PROGRAMS 

FEMA Assistance Coordination, WASH, 

Food, NFI, Debris Cleanup 

In support of long-term recovery efforts, CORE partnered with the Eastern 

Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program (EKCEP) to hire a team of case 

managers dedicated to connecting flood-affected families in four counties 

at Eastern Kentucky to vital resources, including building materials, supplies, 

and home goods. CORE’s case managers have facilitated over $5.6 million in 

resources to families affected by the floods. 

CORE also responded quickly to provide critical support to low-income and 

high-risk communities devastated by the flooding in Letcher County, Kentucky. 

We coordinated with local partners to provide debris removal kits, hygiene kits, 

Wi-Fi, and laptop stations. Our teams also identified and responded to survivors’ 

additional critical needs. 

55,000 

RESOURCES DISTRIBUTED 

10,400 

FEMA APPLICATIONS SUPPORTED 

26,500 cleaning kits 

10,500 food kits 

9,000 hygiene kits 



AKISTAN 

Pakistan Floods 

Unrelenting monsoon rains from June to August 2022 resulted in widespread 

flooding and landslides across Pakistan. More than 1,700 people were killed, and 

2.9 million homes were destroyed over two months, leaving one-third of the 

country inundated and 33 million people (14 percent of Pakistan’s population) 

affected. 

Since September 2022, CORE has been working with our local partner, 

Riverside Development Organization (RDO), to provide critical support 

to communities in need across four districts (Ghotki, Sukkur, Khairpur, 

Naushahro Feroze) in the heavily affected Sindh Province. In response to the 

initial emergency, CORE supported 28,000 flood-affected Pakistani people, 

distributing food kits, hygiene kits, mosquito nets for people and livestock, and 

operating over two dozen mobile medical camps. 

As needs continue to abound in Pakistan in the wake of the floods, CORE 

continues to support the most vulnerable populations in Sindh Province, 

alongside RDO. 

EMERGENCY 

Historic Flooding 

RESPONSE 

Sept. 2022 – present 

LOCATION(S) 

Sindh Province 

PROGRAMS 

Food, Hygiene, NFI, Mosquito Nets, Medical 

28,000 

PEOPLE SUPPORTED 

3,000 

MOSQUITO NETS 

(2,000 FOR PEOPLE, 1,000 FOR LIVESTOCK) 

3,500 food kits 

2,000 hygiene kits 

26 mobile medical camps 



BRAZIL 

Brazil Floods 

Record rainfall in Bahia (Dec. 2021) and Petrópolis (Feb. 2022) triggered severe 

flooding, affecting millions and causing casualties and displacement across 

Brazil. These extreme weather events, following years of severe drought in 

Brazil’s Northeast region, are believed to be part of a pattern linked to climate 

change that is expected to continue. 

In response to these crises, CORE acted swiftly. With our partners, in Bahia 

we distributed family-sized and individual hygiene kits, pressure cookers, 

and queen-sized beds, targeting those most affected, including indigenous 

quilombola communities. We also contributed to recovery efforts through 

debris removal and road paving in Dário Meira, one of the hardest-hit towns. 

In Petrópolis, CORE provided hygiene and cleaning kits, as well as cash cards 

to hard-hit communities. We also worked to remove over 4,200 tons of debris 

from some of the most affected areas. 

EMERGENCY 

Landslides and Flooding 

RESPONSE 

Jan. 2022 - June 2022 

LOCATION(S) 

Petrópolis, Bahia 

PROGRAMS 

Hygiene, Debris Removal, NFI, CVA 

8.5 million 

POUNDS DEBRIS REMOVED 

3,000 

HYGIENE KITS PROVIDED 

1,000 pressure cookers 

1,000 cash cards 

68 queen-sized beds 

50 cleaning kits 



UERTO RICO 

Hurricane Fiona 

In September 2022, Category 4 Hurricane Fiona battered Puerto Rico with 

torrential rainfall, inundating some parts of the island with over two feet of 

water. The electrical grid failed, leaving the entire island without power and 

nearly one-third of the population without access to potable water. 

To support vulnerable populations amid power outages, we distributed solar 

lamps and chargers to survivors with our partner Airlink. We also delivered 

coolers donated by Columbia to diabetics to keep their insulin cold and Goal 

Zero battery kits to low-income dialysis patients for home medical use. As 

remote mountainous areas experienced increased delays in power restoration, 

we delivered generators to help support their immediate needs. 

CORE was on the ground within days coordinating with local and international 

partners to support communities impacted by debris, mudslides, and landslides. 

In the immediate aftermath, CORE addressed shelter needs by distributing more 

than 500 tarps. Our team of local staff also supported affected individuals in 

barrios and community centers with FEMA application coordination. 

EMERGENCY 

Category 4 Hurricane 

RESPONSE 

Sept. 2022 – present 

LOCATION(S) 

Puerto Rico 

PROGRAMS 

Resource Coordination, FEMA Assistance, 

NFI, Home Repair 

1,720 

PEOPLE SUPPLIED WITH 

SOLAR LAMPS AND CHARGERS 

500 

ROOF TARPS DISTRIBUTED 

450 FEMA applications supported 

50 coolers delivered to diabetics 

to keep insulin cold 

8 generators distributed to 

mountainous areas experiencing 

delayed power restoration 



CALIFORNIA 

McKinney Fire 

Massive wildfires devastated communities in Northern California’s Siskiyou 

County near the border of Oregon in July and August 2022, claiming lives and 

destroying countless homes and other structures. The McKinney Fire quickly 

became California’s largest wildfire of the year, spreading rapidly and posing 

widespread threats, particularly to vulnerable populations in the danger zone. 

CORE worked alongside the Incident Management Team to coordinate critical 

needs for those affected and worked rapidly to protect vulnerable communities 

in the path of potential devastation. We prioritized homes in the evacuation 

warning zones, homeowners who are elderly, disabled, and/or low-income or 

had their previous residence burned down in the 2020 Slater Fire. 

Our emergency response focused on: 

Connectivity support – providing 

essential mobile charging and Wi-Fi 

stations to shelters 

Home and property hardening – 

creating urgent defensible space 

for homeowners and preparing 

their property for fire, including 

clearing roof and gutters, moving 

flammable material away from the 

house, creating a fire line around the 

perimeter, and limbing up trees 

Emergency go-bag distribution – 

providing backpacks with essential 

supplies – including hygiene kits, 

N-95 masks, and electrolytes – to 

evacuees 

Information sharing/education – 

communicating with the public 

through coordination with 

local partners, serving as PIOs 

(public information officers) on 

fire outlook, evacuation orders/ 

warnings, and evacuation zones; 

educating residents on evacuation 

management 

EMERGENCY 

Wildfire 

RESPONSE 

Aug. 2022 - Sept. 2022 

LOCATION(S) 

Siskiyou County, CA 

PROGRAMS 

Mitigation, Communication, Hygiene, NFI, 

Education 

168 

PEOPLE EDUCATED ON 

EVACUATION MANAGEMENT 

140 

FIRE GO-BAGS DISTRIBUTED 

128 hygiene kits distributed 

17 homes improved for defensible 

spaces 


OUR WORK | HIGHLIGHTS 

In 2022, CORE expanded our 

capacity exponentially to reach 

communities in need in a variety of 

geographies. Although the program 

areas we tackled varied greatly – 

from gun violence prevention to fire 

brigade training to urban greening 

– our mission remained the same: 

to empower local communities. We 

listened, learned, and acted in order to 

serve each community we work with 

in the most collaborative and effective 

ways possible. 

08 

04 

03 

06 

01 

02 

07 

01. North Carolina 

Youth Disaster Preparedness 

05. Brazil 

Fire Brigades 

02. Haiti 

USAID-BHA WASH Program 

03. New Orleans 

Green Infrastructure 

06. Georgia 

COVID-19 

07. Venezuela 

Wayuu Taya 

05 

04. Chicago 

Gun Violence Prevention 

08. Navajo Nation 

Home Improvements 


North Carolina 

Youth Disaster Preparedness 

Following the devastation of Hurricane Florence 

in 2018, CORE has been working in Robeson 

County, North Carolina, to support the community’s 

resilience to future emergencies through Community 

Emergency Response Team (CERT) trainings. CERT is 

a national program that trains volunteers in skills such 

as disaster preparedness, disaster medical operations, 

and light search and rescue. 

01 

Through 16 basic CERT training sessions held for 

volunteers ages 16-23 at five local high schools, 

universities, and community centers, CORE has 

helped build a contingent of 137 trained volunteers 

who have participated in over 200 community 

outreach events, including food distributions, 

COVID-19 testing/vaccinations, and opioid overdose 

responses. 

In addition to basic CERT training, CORE has also 

facilitated 30 continuing education sessions that 

empower youth to contribute to community health 

and crisis response, promoting readiness for future 

disasters. As they share their knowledge with peers 

and neighbors, these young community members 

become advocates for preparedness, fostering 

community-wide engagement during times of crisis. 



Haiti 

USAID-BHA Earthquake Response WASH 

Following the 2021 earthquake, political instability and increasing food 

prices have contributed to increased violence in Haiti. Transport of 

goods to markets has been hampered, causing prices of local minimum 

expenditure baskets to increase by 40 percent year over year. As a result, 

as of November 2021, an estimated 4.3 million people (44 percent of 

Haiti’s population) were facing IPC Acute Food Insecurity 3 (Crisis) or 

above, with 14 percent in a situation of IPC 4 (Emergency). 

With our partners at USAID-BHA, we set out to meet the urgent shelter, 

WASH, and food security needs of households in Nippes, Sud, and 

Grand’Anse by responding to their immediate shelter needs and enabling 

them to access the mid- to longer-term assistance they required, while 

ensuring them access to safe water, hygiene, and food security. 

IMPACT 

Bonbon 

In Haiti from the beginning. 

10 

water systems repaired in eight districts 

Dame-Marie 

Corail 

Pestel 

CORE has been in Haiti since our response to the devastating 

2010 earthquake and we have never left. Together, we continue 

to run programs dedicated to supporting the resilience of 

Haitian communities including the School of Hope, our dental 

clinic and youth music programs. We are also implementing 

environmental resilience initiatives through rural reforestation 

and creating economic opportunities and improving the lives 

of Haitian smallholder farmers through Haiti Takes Root and our 

partnership with Acceso. 

60,000 

people sensitized on hygiene 

promotion 

55,000 

people received hygiene kits 

730 

households benefited from latrine 

repairs 

Anse d’Hainault 

Les Irois 

Moron 

Chambellan 



Chicago 

Gun Violence Prevention 

New Orleans 

Green Infrastructure 

In addition to historical devastation from hurricanes, many areas in New Orleans 

experience regular damage and hardship from severe rains that overwhelm the 

local infrastructure. 

In April 2022, CORE launched a Green Infrastructure Program in New Orleans 

aimed at assisting homeowners with rainwater management and addressing 

the consistent issues caused by severe rain. Our team built rain gardens 

comprised of local plants and vegetation that capture excess moisture 

while feeding into the local ecosystem. These rain gardens can hold up to 

1,700 gallons of water per rain event. The program also offers education to 

community members on water mitigation and gives them agency to continue 

nourishing and maintaining their gardens. 

To date, CORE’s team has installed nine green infrastructure projects and 

cleaned over 40 storm drains in the New Orleans area. 

In response to growing crime rates 

in Chicago, CORE launched a yearlong 

gun violence prevention pilot 

program in June 2022. This hyperlocal, 

community-based initiative 

engaged 5,000 community members, 

focusing on restoring safety to Chicago 

neighborhoods with disproportionately 

high crime rates, including 

neighborhoods such as Little Village, 

Garfield Park, and Englewood. 

CORE Community Mobilizers worked 

with the Chicago Community Safety 

Coordination Center to build longterm 

relationships with community 

members and address infrastructure 

needs impacting gun violence and 

illicit activity. These relationships 

also enabled CORE to act as a liaison 

between community members and 

local government agencies, facilitating 

anonymous crime reporting. 

Working with partners to identify 

hot blocks, CORE helped facilitate 

the restoration of parks, empty lots, 

and other public spaces previously 

abandoned due to their involvement in 

gun and gang violence. In Little Village 

alone, nine such spaces were activated 

in Summer 2022, hosting 160 safe, 

family-friendly public events. 

Brazil 

Amazon Fire Brigades 

As climate change intensifies wildfires 

in the Amazon, governmental agency 

capacity for monitoring, protection, 

and response has sharply declined. 

Thus, local organizations have been 

tasked with assembling communityorganized 

fire brigades to conduct 

needed environmental monitoring and 

protection. 

In 2022, CORE enhanced the capacity 

of local organizations in vulnerable 

Amazon communities, providing 

training and equipment, including 

personal protective equipment (PPE) 

and fire prevention tools. We also 

assisted in mobilizing community fire 

brigades. 

Since August 2022, CORE has 

supported four local fire brigades in 

the Amazon, benefitting 80 individuals, 

primarily black and indigenous women. 


Georgia 

COVID-19 Pandemic Response 

Georgia has been one of the hardest-hit states by COVID-19. Throughout 

the pandemic, CORE has been working to boost the state’s vaccination rate, 

which has been among the lowest in the U.S. 

We have been collaborating with our partners and local community leaders 

on a series of initiatives to respond to Georgians’ evolving needs, targeting 

marginalized and vulnerable communities devastated by the pandemic. 

OUR EFFORTS: 

Statewide mobile vaccination 

program 

Case investigation & resource 

coordination - contact tracing, 

option to test family members, 

resources for safe isolation and 

quarantine 

Communications & community 

outreach - educational resources, 

PSAs addressing vaccine hesitancy 

Mpox & flu - administering 

vaccinations amid spread 

in Georgia to further health 

protection 

Benefit navigation services 

- assistance for government 

benefits, connecting people 

in need with local communitybased 

organizations (CBOs) and 

programs such as WIC, TANF, SNAP 

& medical assistance 

Fulton County Health Equity 

Services program - supporting 

vaccination events, community 

outreach, subgrants to CBOs, free 

at-home testing & vaccinations 

Health equity - using social 

vulnerability data to provide 

health support to underserved 

communities 

In our dedication to advancing our vision of a more equitable world, we 

continue to work together with our government and community partners 

in Georgia and across the globe to support communities with unmet needs 

that exist beyond the pandemic and other disasters. 

IMPACT 

Equitable relief in 101 of 159 GA 

counties 

Organized 3,000 events providing 

COVID-19 relief and other health 

resources with over 1,750 unique 

partners 

OVER 

600,000 

COVID-19 VACCINATIONS 

400,000 

COVID-19 TESTS 

ADMINISTERED IN GEORGIA 


COVID-19 Pandemic Response 

In 2022, CORE’s critical response to the COVID-19 

pandemic continued in regions worldwide, including 

Brazil, India, and Uganda, while sustaining our domestic 

programs in California, Chicago, Georgia, New Orleans, 

North Carolina, and Washington DC. 

With our partners, CORE administered 744,000 tests 

and 162,000 vaccines in 2022. Since 2020, we have 

administered 6.9 million tests and 2.9 million vaccines free 

of charge to those receiving them. 

FOOD AS MEDICINE 

In Los Angeles, CORE and the Elevance Health Foundation/ 

Anthem have joined forces to combat food insecurity through the 

Food as Medicine program, driven by the belief in food’s healing 

potential. Our partnership addresses the pressing challenge of 

inadequate access to nutritious food affecting 40% of households 

in the U.S. Together, we work to enhance health outcomes for 

those with chronic conditions and expand access to wholesome 

food in marginalized communities. This collaboration embodies 

our commitment to health equity and a healthier, more nourished 

future for all. 


Venezuela 

Wayuu Taya Partnership 

Prolonged socio-political and economic crisis in Venezuela has prompted 

a widespread humanitarian crisis, with millions lacking essentials like food, 

water, healthcare, and shelter. As a mass exodus of more than 7 million people 

has created Latin America’s largest refugee crisis, nearly 25 percent of the 

remaining population within Venezuela faces urgent needs. 

Since 2021, CORE has been supporting the Wayuu Taya Foundation, an 

organization dedicated to developing programs to improve the quality of 

life of indigenous communities in Venezuela and greater Latin America. 

Together, we are implementing programs aimed at providing access to food, 

healthcare, clean water, and sustainable economic development for the 

most vulnerable communities in the indigenous region along the northern 

Venezuela-Colombia border. Our efforts focus on communities facing critical 

needs, such as extreme poverty and nutritional and educational deficiencies 

that affect youth development. 

2022 IMPACT 

Mirabello Farm Project - 92-acre farm providing fresh fruits and 

vegetables to local communities 

Food Distribution - in partnership with Acceso, serving over 

660,000 total meals to more than 8,500 children weekly across 

148 communities and 62 schools 

Water For All Project - providing clean water to 5,000 people 

weekly through remote access to freshwater wells 

Intercultural Orchestra Program - with the National System 

of Youth and Children’s Orchestras and Choirs of Venezuela, 

teaching music classes to more than 314 children in 17 

communities of the Guajira subregion 

Tepichi Talashi School - finished renovations and improvement 

of classrooms, with the capacity to serve over 400 children 


Navajo Nation 

Home Improvements 

CORE’s support of communities on the Navajo Nation began in 2020 at a 

critical juncture early in the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, our efforts focused on 

supporting the resilience of Diné families continued. 

We provided a $100,000 grant to Red Feather to implement home improvement 

and weatherization for 12 homes on Navajo Nation. All improvements were made 

with a guarantee and warranty in accordance with industry standards. Following 

these measures, each home’s energy use is expected to decrease substantially, 

and subsequently decrease families’ monthly costs. 

WEATHERIZATION 

IMPROVEMENTS: 

BENEFICIARIES: 

IMPACT 

12 homes weatherized & equipped with 

carbon monoxide and smoke alarms 

9 new wood stoves, chimney systems, 

and hearth protection installed 

3 roofing projects 

2 heating systems repaired 

1 new pellet stove, chimney system, 

and hearth protection installed 

Insulating ceiling and walls; 

repairing/rebuilding leaking roofs 

Weather-stripping windows 

and doors 

Repairing or replacing coal-based 

heating systems to heat pumps, 

chimney systems, and hearth 

protection 

Installing alarm systems for carbon 

monoxide and smoke alarms 

Seven veterans 

Four individuals with physical 

disabilities 

Elders aged 64-80 



OUR PARTNERS 

CORE’s international and local partners play an invaluable role in our global 

humanitarian efforts. Our work simply is not possible without them. Below are 

some of our many partners who have joined us in our collective mission to 

create a more equitable future by empowering communities in and beyond 

crises, from the frontlines of Ukraine to rural communities in Kentucky. We’re 

incredibly grateful for their tireless support of CORE’s mission. 

UKRAINE WAR 

Action Against Hunger 

AK Otrebusy Bakery 

Airbnb 

AMRC 

ANAID 

Armada Clinic 

Associatia Andrea Maria 

Associatia Moaselor 

Independent (AMI) 

Fundacja Dobro Zawsze 

Wraca 

Fundacja on Life 

Fundacja Studentow Bratniak 

Galati Necuvinte 

Geeks Without Frontiers 

Golden Mountain 

Heart to Heart World 

Foundation 

PUI 

Posmishka 

RSO Harangos 

Rizni Ivano-Frankivsk 

Rivne - Ukraine for Heroes 

Romexpo 

Sae-A 

Southern Development 

Strategy 

HURRICANE IAN 

Airbnb. org 

All Hands & Hearts 

Amazon 

AmeriCorps 

Ascot Group 

Baby2Baby 

Cape Christian Church 

KENTUCKY FLOODS 

American Red Cross 

Cajun Navy 

Catholic Charities 

Eastern Kentucky 

Consolidated Employment 

PAKISTAN FLOODS 

Crisis Cleanup 

Cutting Edge Tree Experts 

Information Technology 

Disaster Resource Center 

Lee County Southwest 

Florida Emergency 

Management 

Program of the Department 

of Labor 

Good360 

Riverside Development Organization (RDO) 

BRAZIL FLOODS 

FedEx 

Hazard County 

Hazard High School 

Liquid IV 

Proctor & Gamble 

Tool Bank 

United Way 

Walmart Foundation 

World Central Kitchen 

Kentucky Emergency 

Management Offices 

LifeStraw 

Mercy Chefs 

Meta 

Salman Toor 

Bada Boom 

Hockey Development 

Spare Parts (Pawel Ujma) 

Foundation 

Bart Suder 

Shtuka 

Hotel Radymno (Barbara 

HURRICANE FIONA 

Boho House 

Slugoka) 

Steele Foundation for Hope 

Airlink 

Gogo Foundation 

Liquid IV 

Carusel 

Insha Osvita 

Street Culture Center NGO 

Amazon 

Goal Zero 

Mail from Heaven 

Charity Fund of Asgard 

IT Troops 

Ternopil Volunteer Ivan 

Columbia Sportswear 

Goods 360 

Nelson 

Cities of Bucharest, Krakow, 

Kaplun 

Ihor Hryhorovych Razibaba 

Rzeszow, Warsaw, and 

Toy Movement 

Elevance 

Hacienda 

Ponce Medical School 

Przemyśl 

International Charitable Fund 

Geeks without Borders 

Home Depot 

Foundation 

Cultural Capital 

UHF 

Club of Catholic Intelligentsia 

(KIK) 

Internationaler Bund Polska Ukraine for Heroes 

MCKINNEY FIRE 

Concordia Shelter 

Jawornik Polski 

UNHCR 

Education Human Rights 

Jesuit Refugee Service 

UN-OCHA 

Karuk Tribe 

Quartz Valley Indian Tribe TorchBearr 

House 

Liquid IV 

Unitatem Foundation 

Mid Klamath Watershed 

Siskiyou Firesafe Council 

U.S. Forest Service 

FARA 

Lviv Vegan Kitchen 

VOICE Amplified 

Council 

FestivALT 

Magdalena Shelters 

Warsaw 

Full Market 

Media Market 

Will Help Together 

HAITI 

Funky Citizens 

Moloda Prosvita 

Zustricz Grant 

Acceso 

Eva Onu-Femmes 

Music Heals International 

Fundacja Creative 

Nukraine 

Caribbean Biodiversity Fund FHI 360 

Partners In Health 

- EBA (Ecosystem-Based 

GHESKIO 

Royal Caribbean 

Adaptation) 

Mercy Corps 

USAID-BHA 

Dental Clinic 


STAFF AND CULTURE 

Whether during our rapid growth throughout the pandemic or 

in response to the Ukraine war, the steadfast dedication of our 

staff and volunteers is what drives CORE’s impact. CORE is a 

community-powered organization that focuses on hiring locally. 

We listen and learn, act quickly, and invest in local communities 

during times of crisis. 

Today, CORE consists of 450+ global staff, with programs in 

nine countries and eight U.S. states. We’ve continued to bring 

on seasoned staff with humanitarian sector experience with 

non-governmental organizations including CARE, FHI 360, 

International Medical Corps, International Rescue Committee, 

Heifer International, and Global Communities, along with staff 

who have worked with the UN. Our expanding team includes new 

Senior Directors of Humanitarian Response (Debbie Santalesa) and 

Programs (Robert Danzi), as well as Senior Advisor, Cash & Markets 

(Tenzin Manell), who has helped us identify how cash and voucher 

assistance can help those affected by crises. We’ve also proudly 

welcomed new Vice Presidents of Communications & Marketing 

(Jaya Vadlamudi), Global People & Culture (Brandon Berrett), and 

Finance (Jennifer Quinn) and a Senior Director of Logistics and 

Procurement (Yves Kavanaugh), in addition to seasoned program 

staff who bring invaluable experience to our mission. 

“If you have worked with us or met 

any CORE staff, you will know 

that CORE has some of the most 

interesting, dedicated, passionate, 

and hard-working staff you could 

ever wish to work with.” 

-Debbie Santalesa 

Senior Director, Humanitarian Response 


As CORE’s teams continue to advance our mission, we remain steadfast in our 

commitment to enriching the CORE experience for our staff. Our priority is 

ensuring the wellbeing and safety of our beneficiaries, partners, and all who 

intersect with our work. Over the past year and a half, we’ve instituted a range of 

initiatives to foster this holistic support, including: 

 

Introducing an employee resilience program and wellness programs where 

staff can access free, confidential psychosocial support. 

Introducing a confidential, anonymous reporting portal for potential 

violations of the high standard of ethics in our Code of Conduct. 

Hosting regular all-staff town halls where individuals share updates, 

information, and wellness tips, including meditation and yoga. 

Enhancing staff benefits and insurances, including a direct contribution 

to individuals participating in our retirement program, as well as making 

health insurance 100 percent funded by CORE. 

Launching Safeguarding practices and policies to protect the individuals 

we serve by being able to proactively manage any concerns from 

community partners or from the sites we serve. 

Developed a formal governance structure through a regular meeting 

Relations Investigations Committee that oversees concerns and provides 

corrective actions to matters reported that fall outside of the Code of 

Conduct. 

Tracking analytics on exit data from staff, gauging why individuals leave and 

how to improve. 

Establishing an in-house travel portal and working group facilitating staff 

movements and synching with our security teams. 

Introducing quarterly performance management with a focus on setting 

objectives and staff development. 

As we grow these practices, we are committed to continuing to evolve 

our foundational support pillars for those who make CORE’s mission of 

empowering communities possible. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY 

As an equal opportunity 

employer, CORE is dedicated to 

complying with all relevant local 

fair employment practice laws. 

We strictly prohibit and do not 

tolerate discrimination based on 

protected characteristics under 

local labor laws, such as race, 

color, religion, gender, sexual 

orientation, age, disability, 

and more. In our commitment 

to diversity, equity, inclusion, 

and promoting a safe work 

environment for all, we require 

staff to sign our Code of 

Conduct and encourage them 

to regularly review it. 

COMMUNITY-POWERED UKRAINE 

RESPONSE 

Our community-powered ethos has been 

a driving force of our Ukraine response as 

our team comprised mostly of Ukrainians 

has banded together to provide relief 

to those most in need. That spans from 

Liana Khorovytska, our Ukraine Country 

Director, to Olga Petrova, our Regional 

Communications Manager, both of 

whom have passionately joined CORE’s 

response despite dealing with personal 

challenges related to the war. 

As Liana leads CORE’s efforts inside 

Ukraine, her two children remain abroad 

for safety. “I’m dreaming all the time about 

the day... when all Ukrainians can bring 

their kids home. And this is why I’m doing 

my part to bring this time closer,” she said. 

Olga, whose home was shelled in the 

first iteration of the conflict in 2014, 

knows well the endless needs the war 

has generated. “I want [the] world to 

know what is going on in Ukraine, “ she 

said. “For me working with CORE is an 

opportunity to be the voice of Ukrainian 

refugees, who I am myself, and to bring 

relief to Ukrainian people.” 


Brandon Berrett 

Vice President, Global People & Culture 

Jen Quinn 

Vice President, Finance & Accounting 

As Vice President of CORE’s Finance & 

Accounting team, Jen Quinn leads a team 

of professionals specialized in finance, 

accounting, audit, insurance, and payroll. The team works closely with other 

departments to oversee fiscal activities and ensure compliance. Since 

joining CORE in 2022, Jen and her team have been working on a series of 

critical initiatives, including improving our audit processes and technological 

infrastructure with robust tools to strengthen CORE’s financial reporting and 

compliance. 

Prior to pursuing her passion for humanitarian work full-time, Jen developed 

her expertise in finance, investments, and lending working for large banks and 

credit unions, such as Mission National Bank, the Justice department credit 

union, and Global Fund. Before joining CORE in 2022, Jen served as CFO for 

over 20 years for banks, startups, and NGOs. 

“Working in a humanitarian capacity allows me to truly make a difference and 

aligns with my personal goal of helping others in times of need. The global 

impact in our international communities in which CORE is deeply rooted and 

involved is very inspiring and humbling,” Jen said. 

Brandon joined CORE in 2021 after being inspired listening to co-founders Sean 

Penn and Ann Lee on a radio interview. Since joining us, Brandon and the Global 

People & Culture team have instituted many processes and systems dedicated 

to improving the holistic experience of being a CORE staff member and the 

CORE culture at large. 

After witnessing the humanitarian challenges during the Rwandan genocide, 

Brandon wanted to do his part to ensure it wouldn’t happen again and join an 

organization that responds to such atrocities. To date, Brandon has worked 

on the ground in over 20 countries, including as a Peace Corps volunteer in 

Namibia, and served as HR Director at International Rescue Committee, Action 

Against Hunger, and International Medical Corps, and as Deputy HR Director 

at Global Communities. With CORE, he is excited about creating a footprint in 

places we have not worked before. 

“My wish for the humanitarian sector is that we get it right, we take away the 

politics from responding to needs, and do what it was intended for – helping 

people and vulnerable populations – that it’s 

the right thing to do!” Brandon said. 

In his free time, Brandon enjoys antiques, 

going to concerts, reading about UFOs, and 

off-roading in his truck. 

Outside of her work with CORE, Jen enjoys spending her time volunteering at 

community events and being a member of other nonprofits focused on climate, 

food, water, and the environment. 


Tenzin Manell 

Senior Advisor, Cash & Markets 

Debbie Santalesa 

Senior Director, Humanitarian Response 

Since joining CORE in 2022, Debbie Santalesa 

has played a critical role in building our overall 

emergency response approach, strengthening 

our program quality and developing tools and systems to ensure we can respond 

wherever and whenever we’re needed. 

With nearly two decades of humanitarian experience, including roles with Oxfam, 

Concern, and CARE and various oversight and task force roles with the United 

Nations, IFAD, and the Global Fund, Debbie has led and managed CORE’s programs 

in Ukraine, Poland, Romania, Brazil, and Haiti, and launched our emergency response 

to the earthquake in Turkey. Recently, she has been working with our teams to 

develop emergency response strategies and plans, trainings, tools, and systems to 

optimize CORE’s capacity to respond to domestic crises in the U.S. 

After beginning her career in the private sector in accounting and HR roles, a serious 

car accident caused Debbie to revisit her path forward. She decided to go overseas 

to volunteer in the West Bank. Soon after, she landed a job with a local INGO. “I have 

never looked back,” Debbie said. 

In 2022, Tenzin rejoined CORE as our Senior Advisor, Cash & Markets. As a 

technical expert in Cash & Voucher Assistance, Tenzin supports our program 

teams to identify how cash and/or voucher assistance can help those affected 

by crises survive and thrive and design effective evidence-based programs. 

From an early age, Tenzin has been passionate about gender equality and 

driven to contribute to dignified and effective poverty alleviation work. Her 

humanitarian journey has taken her across South America, the Caribbean, 

Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, with stints at Women’s Refugee Commission, 

CARE, British Red Cross, and other global organizations. Tenzin first joined 

CORE when we were J/P HRO managing livelihoods and community 

development initiatives. 

“CORE is a disruptor in the humanitarian arena and Cash & Voucher Assistance 

is a disruptor too – both are shifting power so that people affected by crisis 

lead their own response,” Tenzin said. “It is a natural fit that CORE leverages its 

nimble spirit and ever-expanding skills and systems to deliver cash assistance 

quickly, efficiently, and effectively to meet 

needs and empower communities.” 

Outside of her work with CORE, Tenzin enjoys 

hiking, collaging, reading, and spending time 

with her family and dog in Vermont. 

Upon learning about CORE’s community-powered approach, Debbie felt 

reinvigorated. “It reminded me why I had become a humanitarian aid worker,” she 

said. “CORE’s innovative, flexible, and nimble way of working uniquely positions us to 

meet the needs of affected communities from the first day we arrive on the ground.” 

In her free time, Debbie enjoys spending time with her son and immediate family 

and friends, cooking, yoga, swimming, traveling, and perfecting her cappuccino. 


“CORE is the real deal. People who work at CORE 

are passionate human beings, down to earth, 

and truly care about the humanitarian work we 

do. I am proud to be a member of the greatest 

humanitarian organization in the world!” 

-Jen Quinn 

Vice President, Finance & Accounting 

SOME OF THE ORGANIZATIONS WHERE OUR STAFF HAVE WORKED: 

Aara Educational Society, Accion Contre la Faim / Action Against Hunger (ACF), 

ACTED, Alchemy Community Therapy Center, AmeriCorps, British Red Cross, CARE, 

Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, CHF International, Child 360 (LAUP), Children of 

the Nations, Concern Innovations Project, DAI Global, Doulos Discovery School DR, 

Dream Sponsors Inc., Emergency Network LA, Fair Planet - Eastern Ethiopia, Family 

Health International - DRC, FHI360, Friends of Refugees, Fundación Educación 

Popular en Salud, Global Communities, Heifer International, Henry Martyn Institute, 

Human Rights Watch, Independent Inquiry Committee UN Oil for Food Program, 

International Medical Corps (IMC), International Rescue Committee (IRC), IsraAID, 

Make-A-Wish, Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital, Mercy Corps, Mercy for 

Animals, Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Navdanya Seed Bank, Norwegian 

Refugee Council South Northwest - Syria, Oceana, Oxfam Great Britain, Peace Corps, 

Project HOPE, Project Las America, Relief International - Asia, Rural Community 

Hospitals of America, SIT World Learning, Sustainable Energy Services International, 

Taghyeer Movement, Team Rubicon, The Center for American Progress, The Mission 

Continues, The Red Door Place, UNICEF, United Nations Work and Relief Agency for 

Palestine Refugees, Women’s Refugee Commission 

60 | IMPACT REPORT 2022–23 www.COREresponse.org | | 61

MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS 

CORE’s impact has been featured by a variety of renowned publications and 

broadcast networks, including PBS, ABC News, TIME, CNN, Philanthropy News 

Digest, and many more. In 2022, our co-founders Sean Penn and Ann Lee 

were honored as CNN Heroes and were featured on the network’s inspiring 

broadcast. At the 31st World Economic Forum in Poland, CORE was humbled 

and deeply grateful to be honored with the NGO of the Year award. 

Press Hits 

PYMNTS | 4.13.22 

Today in the FinTech Ukraine Daily: Crisis Response 

Charity CORE Distributes Cash to Ukrainian Refugees 

Learn More 

USA Today | 5.15.22 

‘A terrible price’: As US mourns 1 million COVID-19 

deaths, preventable losses among unvaccinated a major 

regret Learn More 

Deadline | 6.11.22 

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky Issues Powerful 

Message To Sean Penn’s CORE Gala Fundraiser 

Learn More 

The Hollywood Reporter | 6.11.22 

President Zelensky Calls for Continued Support of 

Ukraine at Sean Penn’s CORE Gala Learn More 

Town & Country | 10.26.22 

T&C 2022 Philanthropy Issue: Evidence of Hope 

Learn More 

Variety | 12.1.22 

Leonardo DiCaprio, Jared Leto and Garcelle 

Beauvais Help Raise $1 Million for Sean Penn’s CORE 

Learn More 

Philanthropy News Digest | 12.16.22 

Haiti’s crisis is not ‘business as usual.’ And there’s only 

one way out: together. Learn More 

Philanthropy News Digest | 3.29.23 

As a Ukrainian woman directing humanitarian relief, I’m 

prioritizing women and girls Learn More 

Rolling Stone | 4.26.23 

UN and Coachella Artists Fight Climate-Induced Hunger 

Learn More 

Billboard | 4.27.23 

Musicians & UN Leaders Joined Forces to Fight Global 

Hunger During Coachella Learn More 

Newsweek | 6.2.23 

Excessive Regulation on NGOs Amid Crises Cost Lives | 

Opinion Learn More 

Authority Magazine | 6.23.23 

Social Impact Heroes Helping Our Planet: Why & How 

Ann Lee Of CORE Is Helping To Change Our World 

Learn More 

Patch | 8.4.22 

COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics Opening At Chicago City 

Colleges Learn More 

Houston Public Media / PBS / NPR | 8.11.22 

In crisis, CORE brings relief to those who need it most 

Learn More 

CBS News | 9.30.22 

How to help victims of Hurricane Ian Learn More 

TIME | 9.30.22 

How to Help Victims of Hurricane Ian Learn More 


SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS 

31st World Economic Forum 

CORE SPEAKER: Ann Lee (CEO) 

DATE: September 6-8, 2022 

LOCATION: Karpacz, Poland 

NOTE: CORE presented with NGO of the Year award 

Civil Society Development Forum 

CORE SPEAKER: Liana Khorovytska (Ukraine 

Country Director) 

DATE: December 5, 2022 

LOCATION: Kyiv, Ukraine 

World for Ukraine (W4UA) Summit 

CORE SPEAKERS: Liana Khorovytska (Ukraine 

Country Director), Irina Costache (Romania Country 

Director), Jan Willaert (Regional Ukraine Director) 

DATE: December 7-9, 2022 

LOCATION: G2A Arena, Rzeszów-Jasionka, Poland 

USSOUTHCOM x FIU NGO Conference 


DATE: February 24, 2023 

LOCATION: Florida, USA 

CORE JOINS THE CALP NETWORK 

We are thrilled to have joined the Cash and 

Learning Partnership (CALP) Network, both 

as a general member and in its Technical 

Advisory Group. This strategic collaboration 

reinforces our commitment to revolutionizing 

humanitarian relief through Cash and Voucher 

Assistance (CVA). This partnership propels 

CORE toward innovation and transformative 

humanitarian progress, making CVA a central 

pillar of dignified assistance. 

2023 CSP Solutions Summit 

CORE SPEAKER: Linda Oxendine (Area Manager 

and CERT Program Lead) 

DATE: March 2023 

LOCATION: Bucharest, Romania 

Brilliant Minds 

CORE SPEAKERS: Ann Lee (CEO), Sean Penn (COB) 

DATE: June 14, 2023 

LOCATION: Stockholm, Sweden 

TOPIC: CORE’s Ukraine Response 

2023 NEXUS Global Summit 


DATE: June 22-24, 2023 

LOCATION: New York, USA 

TOPIC: CORE’s Ukraine Response 


LEADERSHIP 

Sean Penn 

Co-Founder & Chairperson of the Board 

Ann Lee 

Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer 

BOARD MEMBERS 

Bryan Lourd 

Partner & Managing Director, Creative Artists Agency (CAA) 

Soleil Moon Frye 

Actor, Director & Author 

Fernando Sulichin 

Founder of New Element Media, Executive Producer 

LT General P.K. Ken Keen (Retired) 

Leadership Executive, Goizueta Business School at Emory University 

Gregory Milne 

Chief Metrics and Impact Officer, Clinton Foundation 

Patricia Velásquez 

Actor, Model, Ambassador for Indigenous Peoples & Founder of The Wayuu Taya Foundation 

910 N Hill Los Angeles, CA 90012 

323.934.4400 

information@coreresponse.org 

@COREresponse 

www.COREresponse.org

Impact Report 2022-23

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