CORE Initiative "Don't just Survive.....Thrive!"
Peoplenomix - knowledge pertaining to the production and transfer of wealth; grooming leaders, one person at a time.
A Message From Our Director...
"Thank you so much for visiting our website. We are honored that you took the time to check us out. CORE Initiative is here to help our communities in any way possible. If there is an issue that we can't tackle alone, we will collaborate with others who will assist us in doing so. We must come together to take better care of our communities and the people who live in them. Don't just Survive.....Thrive!"
--Serena Valentine, MBA-HCM
Executive Director
About Us
Our Staff & Volunteers
Our awesome staff & volunteers are well trained and fully capable of handling our clients with care and serving our clients according to the needs of each individual and/or family.
Our History
"We are also a family-oriented group of individuals who began with a meeting on New Year's Day of 2016 in my mother's living room. The main force behind our passion is the desire to help others and to push them to succeed far beyond the limits that others, and even themselves have set. CORE Initiative is a Health & Wellness-driven organization that has other services we will provide in the near future."
--- Serena Valentine, MBA-HCM Executive Director
Our Mission
CORE Initiative is a PEOPLE-oriented group of individuals who make a difference in society by providing resources to all citizens regardless of age, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation and social class; preparing ALL generations for success through care for the whole being physically, mentally, emotionally and economically; through personal, career and health development.
COVID Education & Outreach
**THE CAVE PROGRAM**
We are pleased to announce that we have partnered with the Houston Health Department and HOPE Clinic to deliver COVID education & outreach to Houston's students and their families.
These 1 hour classes consist of the most up-to-date COVID information from validated sources. CORE Initiative will also conduct outreach activities at community events to empower Houston's families in making the best health decisions for themselves, resulting in healthier communities for our future.
For more information on how we can partner with your organization or how you and your family can attend one of our scheduled classes, please send us an email at: COREInitiative@peoplenomix.org
"CORE For Life"
Ongoing Project......
We want to hear from you !
We want to hear from you !
Our ongoing project is the Houston Diabetes Peer Support Program. This program is designed to help individuals face the reality of their Diabetes diagnosis. The Houston Diabetes Peer Support Program allows its participants to share their concerns and emotions about Diabetes in a safe & confidential environment. The participants will be able to communicate with others who are dealing with some of the same issues and this fosters an atmosphere of sharing & learning amongst peers. The target audience for this program is all adults 18 years of age and older who have been diagnosed with ANY type of Diabetes(Prediabetes, Types 1 & 2 and Gestational Diabetes). This program is FREE to the public 🤗. CORE Initiative believes that everyone should have the opportunity to get all of the help that is needed to take care of their health regardless of how much money he/she/they have. We must take care of each other, step in to lend a helping hand and refuse to overlook ANY issues that plague our communities.
Join Us On Facebook!!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/139898349987212
We want to hear from you !
We want to hear from you !
We want to hear from you !
CORE Initiative is an advocate for the education, prevention & treatment of health care issues in the lives of people. One of our most important initiatives within our organization is to share insight about the health issues that affect our communities the most. We are soliciting for suggestions from the public about the health issues that people would like to learn & get more information about. Please feel free to contact us via email to offer suggestions. The health of the people who live in our communities is very important to us and we would appreciate your input 😊
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CORE Initiative loves to educate communities on new, upcoming developments and other pertinent information in the Health & Wellness industry.
Here's our featured Health & Wellness Article of the Week:
”42 factors that affect Blood Glucose?! A Surprising Update”
**Live Broadcast **
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Cities Changing Diabetes – Houston has an Online Broadcast for People with Diabetes, health care professionals. community leaders & members!
Check us out on a continual series of panel discussions by Houston area diabetes care and education specialists Joy Ashby Cornthwaite, MS, RDN, LDN, CDES, and Maryanne Strobel, MSN, RN, CDCES, and Houston Diabetes Peer Support Program Project Lead Serena Valentine with CORE Initiative, along with other professionals as guest speakers.
The panelists take live questions from the audience on YouTube and Facebook. Join in with either of the following links:
http://bit.ly/MyDiabetesHQYouTube http://bit.ly/MyDiabetesHQFacebook https://www.facebook.com/reva.verma
**You can also view this and future weekly broadcasts via the Houston Diabetes Peer Support Program Facebook group online, however, you must join the group to view it there. Come join us at:
Houston Diabetes Peer Support Facebook Group:
dQ&A + CORE Initiative
At CORE Initiative, we believe that Diabetes research is important for future innovation and improving the lives of the people living with Diabetes.
For the past ten years, dQ&A has collected the patient satisfaction and experience data that
tells Diabetes companies exactly what users think of their pumps, CGMs and meters. Their
research community is now open to new members.
dQ&A also offers a thank-you payment for any surveys they send you after the sign-up
questions, which you can keep or donate to CORE Initiative if you like.
Your answers to all of dQ&A’s questions are completely anonymous and never contain any
information that can identify you personally. It’s up to you which surveys you respond to, and
you can opt-out at any time.
Learn More
Individual stories like yours can help improve medicines, devices, and
programs. Your opinion matters in the development of new diabetes therapies & services and
we need your participation!
For more information and to get started, click below.
Houston Diabetes Peer Support Program Locations ❤️
The DAWN Center (Now Virtual)
Where: 3611 Ennis St. Houston, TX 77004
When: Every Wednesday @11am
Open To The Public?: No
Institute for Spirituality and Health (Postponed)
Where: 8100 Greenbriar Dr. Ste #300 Houston, TX 77054
When: 1st & 3rd Thursdays @5:30pm-6:30pm
Open To The Public?: Yes
The Gathering Place-Meninger Clinic (Now Virtual)
Where: 5310 S. Willow Dr. Houston, TX 77035
When: Every other Monday @11am
Open To The Public?: No
The Pinnacle Senior Center (Postponed)
Where: 5525 Hobby Rd - C Houston, TX 77053
When: 2nd & 4th Tuesdays @4:30pm - 6pm.
Open To The Public?: Yes
****DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, ALL IN-PERSON PEER SUPPORT MEETINGS ARE POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE****
In Response to COVID-19 :
**CORE Cares**:
In light of recent events surrounding the current pandemic, CORE Initiative will make an effort to be available for assistance as needed. We would like to let you know that all of you are in our thoughts & prayers as the World endures these tough times.
A Special Thanks to ALL of the essential workers!! We appreciate your sacrifices during the pandemic.
We also have partners within our communities that can offer the necessary services & resources to assist you as needed. If anyone is in need of support of ANY kind, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will lead you in the right direction. WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER AND WILL FINISH STRONG !!
Houston Diabetes Peer Support Program
**ALL In-Person peer support group meetings at all locations are currently suspended until further notice. However, we have constructed weekly virtual peer support group meetings via Microsoft Teams, along with one-on-one individual peer support meetings.
When: Every Thursday morning
Time: 11am - 12Noon CST
***For more information about diabetes peer support and the Microsoft Teams meeting link, please contact us!***
**Our City**
Reaching Out.....
CORE Initiative is excited about being a part of the Community Partner Program with Texas Health and Human Services Commission. If you or anyone you know needs assistance in applying for state benefits such as SNAP Food Benefits(Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program), TANF Program(Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), WIC Food Benefits(Women, Infants and Children), Medicaid and more! Contact us today for more information via email(COREInitiative@peoplenomix.org) or phone: (800)783-4254
SPECIAL THANKS 🤗
Thank You So Much, Community Health Choice !!!
CORE Initiative would like to thank Community Health Choice for their contribution toward the operation of our Houston Diabetes Peer Support Program!!
Help us make a difference in the communities we serve !!
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and improve the lives of others. Your generous donation will fund our mission.
🤗 CORE Assistance 🤗
We Need VOLUNTEERS!!!
Other Ways to Contribute
Other Ways to Contribute
CORE Initiative is always looking for highly energetic, passionate and caring individuals to help out at our events, with our organization activities and more. We are also interested in individuals who are bilingual to assist us at our events as translators. Please contact us if you would like to help us out!! 🤗🤗🤗
Other Ways to Contribute
Other Ways to Contribute
Other Ways to Contribute
Do you shop for groceries at Kroger? That's all you have to do to contribute. Kroger will donate a portion of your grocery bill to CORE Initiative. Simply visit www.krogercommunityrewards.com, Sign In/Create An Account, then click on the "Enroll Now" button to add your Kroger Plus Card on the organization list (Organization # 30545, CORE Initiative).
***Meet the CORE Board***
Bruce Young, President
Bruce Young currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Board for The Nature Heritage Society and has been an active real estate developer & investor around Harris County for more than 10 years. Mr. Young first became interested in real estate investment while working on major construction projects with W.S. Bellows, Linbeck, and Turner Construction. His work with these companies provides him a unique background in comprehensive safety programs, as well as managing both a project’s schedule and budget. Mr. Young helped oversee the expansion and renovation of Conoco Phillips World headquarters in Houston, Texas. His outstanding dedication to a job well done and strong leadership qualities helped him to gain the famed Ronald McDonald House construction project, as well as the rebuilding of many Macy’s stores after Hurricane Ike. The experience gained from working on these projects, combined with studying Psychology at the University of Houston-Clear Lake, has helped him to understand culture diversity, corresponding mindsets & behaviors within many communities and help facilitate progressive behaviors leading to positive change within these communities. He strongly believes that getting down to the root cause of illness is key and it should be done using a holistic approach to achieve better health outcomes. Mr. Young is also passionate about improving organizational outcomes through community engagement and fundraising.
Sandra Rose, MHA, MSN,RN, CDCES, Secretary
As a recent Greater Houston community member, she has an interest in the health and wellbeing of the citizens. Disease Management allows her to have a pulse on chronic disease as well as the lens of prevention of disease for the individual and population. As a member of the board of CORE Initiative, she provides guidance on proposed projects related to health implications of participants. Ms. Rose served as a leader in the development and initiated Houston Diabetes Peer Support which is an initiative of Cities Changing Diabetes-Houston, Novo Nordisk from 2017 to 2019.
Currently, Ms. Rose assists retired military members and their families in developing strategies for lifestyle modifications to improve the trajectory of their health. The population served includes Diabetes, Hypertension, and Hyperlipidemia. Her early career as a registered nurse included emergency and obstetric nursing for 28 years. Subsequently, she moved into high risk case management of the underserved population with medical needs providing evaluation in home and recommendations for care as they enter their last year of life. As a registered nurse for 42 years, Ms. Rose has obtained graduate credentials of MHA, MSN and certificate credentials of Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialist (CDCES).
She also has a health coaching business where she guides her clients into a lifestyle that includes a healthy body, mind and finances.
Her aging mother helps her to stay on her own path to health by preparing dinner nightly. Outside of her professional work, Ms. Rose dabbles in creating art and is looking forward to writing her first book.
Patrina Pelton-Smith, JD, Treasurer
Patrina Pelton-Smith is the principal consultant with The Business of Charity. She focuses on non-profit formation, infrastructure, administration, and grant writing to support her clients in successfully meeting their organization’s mission.
With 20+ years of experience in the non-profit world, Patrina began her career as a volunteer for the Lubbock Rape Crisis Center, and has been employed by Children’s Protective Services, Bay Area Turning Point, Inc., New Horizon Family Center, and Fresh Spirit Wellness for Women, Inc. Her diverse experience gives her a broad understanding of the needs of non-profits and the clients they serve. Recognizing her need to expand services, the original company, Trinity Consulting Services, was transitioned to The Business of Charity, LLC. in January 2018. In December 2019, The Business of Charity, LLC further expanded its service menu to include fund development, marketing, and executive coaching.
Patrina earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Business Administration from Prairie View A&M University. She also earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Texas Tech University School of Law. She continues to augment her non-profit skills by attending non-profit management seminars and courses.