CORE CALIFORNIA

Meeting Families Where They Are: Inside CORE’s HEART Program

At the center of CORE’s HEART program was a simple goal: connect with community members to understand what they actually need to improve their families’ health and well-being, then connect them with the resources to meet those needs.

HEART, which stands for Health Equity Action Resource Team, served as a comprehensive resource navigation program connecting families across Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley with the resources and services they needed most – whether that meant registering for CalFresh or Medi-Cal, signing up for utility assistance, or tracking down a food pantry, clothing, or diapers.

Partnering with the Los Angeles Department of Public Health and local community-based organizations, the team met people where they were, literally and otherwise. The stories below capture what that looked like.

Diaper distribution a sign of dignity, compassion for struggling families

Over dozens of conversations with families, one need/reality kept surfacing: diapers, wipes, and other baby supplies were getting harder and harder to afford. Some parents told the team they were choosing between diapers and other household essentials. On top of that, believe it or not, these items are also rarely covered by government assistance programs.

So, the team turned to their network to see what they could. They partnered with Baby2Baby and the local YMCA to source supplies and organize distributions, ultimately reaching more than 120 families with diapers, formula, wipes, and other essentials. Just as important, the team connected many of these families to longer-term resources – including the Los Angeles County Library’s diaper assistance program and other local organizations – so the support didn’t end when the boxes ran out.

One mother of three shared that receiving these items eased both financial and emotional stress. The assistance allowed her to redirect some money toward groceries, transportation, and other necessities while ensuring their children always had clean diapers. She said the program made her feel seen, supported, and reassured that she was not facing these challenges alone.

A community health worker on the team reflected on the importance of this simple intervention:

“Being part of the diaper assistance program has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my role as a Community Health Worker…Diapers may seem like a simple resource, but they provide dignity, relief, and peace of mind during difficult times. Knowing that our team has been able to make a meaningful difference in the lives of families has been incredibly fulfilling.”

Community Member Spotlight: Meet Josefina

Josefina met HEART in her community and worked one-on-one with one of their community health workers, Diana, to secure resources for herself and her family.

Her son found a job through HEART’s employment resources and is now helping support the household. Josefina’s family also received grocery vouchers through HEART’s partnership with the LA Regional Food Bank, and her daughter received diapers for her baby through HEART’s distributions.

“We see HEART’s work as a blessing and hope you continue to do this work. We notice your team genuinely cares about us, and that makes us feel good. We are retired and really needed this support. It is not easy.”

HEART x CPHT join forces to get food vouchers to families

CORE’s California teams each have their own focus and geographies, whether it’s disaster preparedness, wildfire mitigation, mental health, and more. But sometimes, the best outcomes come from two teams joining forces. When CORE’s Community Public Health Team secured 200 grocery store vouchers for LA County CalFresh recipients, their grant restricted them to serving just a handful of San Gabriel Valley communities. So, they brought HEART in to reach more families, who quickly identified eligible community members in their network.

But there was a catch. HEART didn’t have a physical location to distribute vouchers or verify eligibility documents in person. That’s where community partners came in. By scheduling pop-up events during partner organizations’ regular food pantry hours, HEART distributed 100+ vouchers in just one week. While there, the team also handed out COVID-19 antigen tests and other materials, introducing new clients to their partners’ services along the way.

HEART wrapped up in August 2026, but CORE’s commitment to supporting vulnerable communities in our home state hasn’t slowed down. Our California Public Health Team, for example, works throughout the San Gabriel Valley to improve the health and well-being of people often overlooked by traditional healthcare systems. The Climate Resilience and Disaster Preparedness team spends their time educating communities on how to better prepare for disasters. And, of course, our disaster case management team helps families impacted by the LA Fires navigate their recovery and rebuilding journey. Follow CORE California on Instagram to stay up to date on the team’s latest outreach efforts in the community.