Reflection and Direction. Build with Intention.
2025 was a beautiful whirlwind for C.O.R.E. Collective. We were nonstop, flush with engagements, new partners, intentional learning experiences and community support. We participated in conferences, calls and meetings across time zones and oceans, showing up in as many places and spaces as we could. We hired some help… and let some go… had the opportunity to bring on two incredible interns, taught some of the most resilient individuals, and leaned into learning on the move. For a brand-new nonprofit organization, doing one-of-a-kind work, in a one-of-a-kind way, this only further solidified our commitment and dedication to this work.
To do that though, we had to take a step back. Not from doing the work, but to SEE the work. As this tiny little thing, bursting with urgency, fueled by passion, how can we do so much?! Throughout the journey that was 2025, we tapped into our collective. We asked our partners, colleagues, and friends: how did you do it? We asked for feedback. We asked for help. Without excess (or private) funding, which most of them had, we had to take a different approach - the one we embed in our practice: Build with Intention. We needed to truly understand what is necessary for us to keep thriving at this level, so we can show up and throw down.
Between shifting priorities with limited capacity, and the ongoing work of showing up in community, it felt like priorities and necessities were passing each other in the night, not working together - something we knew was a risk when designing while doing (which we were determined to do). Through it all, we kept coming back to the golden question:
“How do we keep our work efficient, sustainable, honest, and most importantly, actually useful to the people we’re meant to serve?”
First and foremost, we’ve got some absolute must-haves and they are non-negotiable, the biggest being keeping our community up to speed. So we’ve come to you now, to hit the pause button on this fast-paced, overachieving, tiny little thing, to have a chance to share with you where we’ve been, and outline where we’re headed next. Right now outreach, visibility and consistency are in our line of sight. Our outreach strategy is complete, our creatives and communications plans are underway, and our website has moved to a new platform to receive a much-needed refresh.
As a tiny little thing, with limited resources, there are times where we have no choice but to do it all, and call us crazy, but we kind of love it; however, that doesn’t mean we need to take a step back from our values or move in a way that doesn’t make sense for what we need. Here at C.O.R.E. Collective, we NEED intention, action, impact. All that really means, is that we’re doing what we do best: investing time in research, testing, intentionally crafting and curating so that everything we do, not just our work, not just when we show up, but everything we touch reflects our mission, stands strong to our values, and meets the needs of the community.
What we’ve been doing
Behind the scenes, we’ve been:
Mapping out the structure of the new site so that information is easier to find and more accessible and researching best practices in digital design, accessibility, and community engagement.
Curating new learning material, resources, and content to ensure it is accurate, relevant, and aligned with our values and designing a comprehensive calendar of content and events.
Building partnerships, managing stakeholder relationships, and gathering feedback from community members, volunteers, and partners about what they most need.
Oh, and we’ve done some serious learning and development, including adding some certifications to our collective expertise!
These may seem like “behind‑the‑scenes” details, but they’re essential to both our and your success, and if you’ve ever been to a C.O.R.E. Collective experience, you know transparency is KEY! It’ll make or break you, and we’re not going anywhere anytime soon.
In the months ahead, you can expect:
A website that tells our story. That is more intuitive, user-friendly, interactive, and engaging for the communities we serve and our partners in purpose.
Resources and toolkits that are easy to navigate and practical for everyday use.
Consistent social content and information sharing on all of our platforms.
Opportunities to get involved, whether through attending an event, helping at one, or sponsoring one.
Impactful community initiatives, programming, and events.
Last but certainly not least, regular updates like this one, so you can stay connected to what we’re building, why it’s taking time, and how you can get involved. Keep in mind, while you can peek behind the curtain right here, the good stuff will live on this site, in our newsletter, and most importantly, around the community, sharing, learning, and growing with intention.
As we reflect on the exhausting (albeit successful) year we’ve had, and what it took to get here, we leave you with this:
You are the author of your story.
Yes… even when it feels like you can’t grasp control of the pen, you are the author, the narrator, and even the editor. Every bump in the road, no matter how big, is just that: a pebble in your shoe, a hiccup, a missed step, a hurdle to jump, climb, or flop over. What defines you lies in what you do next - maybe not today, maybe not next month, maybe it won’t even be this year, but when you’re ready, you have the ultimate power to change your narrative, even if you just need a little reflection and direction. Trust when we say, “Been there, done that.”
We might be working behind the scenes at times, but we’re here to support you in becoming the owner of your stories, to amplify your voices, and to empower every one of you in achieving absolutely, unapologetic greatness.
Remember, the most powerful parts of any story are the ones where the character breaks, grows, stumbles, recovers, and gets back up. The path forward won’t look the same for all of us, and that’s what makes this journey so deliciously rich and real.
Your perspective is invaluable. Your experiences are immeasurable. Your resilience is powerful. Your story is just beginning to get good, and we’re so grateful to be a part of it.
With immense gratitude,
The CORE Team
