Transforming Lives Through Breaking the C.O.R.E

Greetings Community,

My name is Corey Lejuan Houston, Founder, CEO and President of Breaking the Core. I am reaching out to seek your support in hopes of obtaining my LLC for Breaking the Core program and organization. Breaking the Core stems from my testimony and my incredible transformation and breakthrough, Breaking the Core has not only amazed me with the remarkable outcome of its effectiveness and results but also has imprinted its uniqueness across the city of Springfield but also in outside regions. Breaking the Core has brought together city officials, city elites, community pioneers, community advocates, community support leaders, community resources, representatives and residents. It’s even brought awareness towards outside organizations, resources and residents as well.

Breaking the Core has changed lives and brought the community together through partnerships, friendships and collaborations. After I broke my silence by sharing my life testimony, my life has not been the same, as it’s been nothing much more than a surreal miracle and blessing. For the past 41 years, I’ve been fighting through many traumatic events which started with birth complications and the passing of both of my parents. My father would pass due to health completions when I was 3 and mother committed suicide when I was 12. I was considered a “miracle baby” after contracting HIV from my mother during her addiction and lifestyle. My mental health and my chronic health conditions would forever be a life lasting scare as family members would share and friends would use this against me.

As I would fight against my mental health as a teen, I was also affected by the gang violence in my city which would also take a dramatic turn as I started to lose friends to violence and incarceration. Soon I would find myself at a target almost becoming a statistic as I faced multiple death experiences and a life term sentence as I was falsely accused of two attempt murders. This would also play a major role within my mental health, as this would trigger my alcoholism and addiction for the past 20yrs. Today, I have so much freedom and clarity through this Spiritual Breakthrough and journey of self-discovery.

With 22 years of experience as a Community Advocate, Resource Navigator, Mentor and Peer Leader through the Boston Public Health Commission and Sidney Borum Jr Health Center starting at the age of 16 years old. I have always dedicated my efforts towards supporting, advocating for, and uplifting individuals dealing with addiction, mental health concerns, lack of resources, and self-advocacy. I have established a movement called Breaking the C.O.R.E. by merging both my trauma and my experience in the Outreach Field together. This initiative emerged from my experiences and challenges such as birth and health issues, trauma, mental health conflicts, falsely incarcerated facing a life term sentence and the loss of my parents at an early age. As I am the second youngest out of 9 nine siblings, I also found myself lacking family support, which increases my willingness towards supporting and helping others.

Finding treatment in the Springfield Ma at the HOPE Center through BHN was unknowing known that this would be my last time in treatment after a 20yrs of fighting for my addiction throughout multiple facilities across the states. During my treatment at the Opportunity Halfway through BHN, I utilized every outside and inside resource possible towards overcoming any defects or relapse. During my treatment I created and facilitated a Peer Lead group called “I AM I CREATE”. During this process I didn’t realize nor see I was birthing “Breaking the Core” as well. Simultaneously I became a board member at the Pan African Historical Museum USA (PAHMUSA) and a proud member at the Hampton County Sheriff’s AISS Department (All-Inclusive Support and Services) in which I received multiple Leadership Awards, as well as four awards including Client of the Year, Men’s Leadership Award, Mentorship Award and Mentee of the Year Award, during AISS’s 25th Annual Graduation and Celebration of Recovery Ceremony.

During this transformation at AISS I was also able to get 13 felonies expunged from my record which has haunted me for the past two decades. I recently celebrated 2yrs of sobriety and have established a remarkable relationship with my daughter who is 18 now. I have also built a strong relationship throughout the city of Springfield with many city elites and pioneers such as The Founder of Stone Soul and Harambee Mr. Jerald “Jay” Griffin of Springfield Ma. I have also received Citations of Recognition from both Mayor Domenic Serno of Springfield MA and Senator Adam Gomez of Springfield MA. I have also taken upon many extended roles throughout the community as well. I am also currently on serval committee boards.

O’Dell’s Women’s Center Polit Navigation Committee Board; The Senior Action Committee Council Committee Board; The Bay Area Neighborhood Resource Committee Board and Former member of the Pan African Historical Committee Board.

I am currently residing within the Hampden County Sheriff’s CHESS Transitional Housing Program where I recently became a first-time college student at the Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) majoring in Social Media Strategy and Development. I am also member of the STCC (MALE INITIATIVE for LEADERSHIP PROGRAM) MILE program. I have created multiple community events within the Breaking the Core organization across the city of Springfield establishing an incredible community and leadership role.

June 6th of 2024, I created a panel of Community Leaders and Advocates including a dear friend and mentor of 25yrs (retired) Deputy Superintendent Kelly Nee of the Boston Police Department and Gang Unit who personally witnessed this amazing

transformation. August 8th of 2024, I created an event called “This is Chess not Checkers” a Mental Health Awareness community event which included mental health specialist. On Oct 26th of 2024, Breaking the Core established its first opening Launch called “Conquering the Courts” at the Basketball Hall of Fame with the support of a good friend and mentor John Doleva President and CEO of the Nasmith Basketball Hall of Fame. This event included a double fire chat with two separate panels of Licensed Mental Health Specialist and City Official and Elites such as the Springfield Superintendent Larry Akers, Springfield Director of the Latino Economic Development Corporation Andrew Melendez and support from Springfield City Counsel Tracye Whitfield.

Breaking the Core has established exceptional relations and collaborations within the community as BTC has connected with outside resources and support. Breaking the Core also has allied with the Hampden County Commission on the Status on Women and girls creating a “Business Before Pleasure” “Women’s Empowerment Initiative” event on February 22nd of 2025 held at the O’Dell’s Women’s Center where outside relations and outside collaborations where created.

As I am committed towards creating more remarkable and inspiring events towards supporting and assisting others with the community and outside regions, as this aligns with my purpose, passion, calling and mission, I am seeking support that will help the Breaking the Core movement obtain its LLC towards enhancing its mission and vision which include community events and extensive workshops, community collaborations, resources, activities and more. As my goal is $20,000, I know this will help Kickstart towards the LLC, community events, projects and more, I am grateful for any contributions towards my vision and mission.

Together, we can transform lives, break barriers, and foster resilience. Every contribution matters and your support will create positive impacts within the community. Thank You for your support.

Best Regards,

Corey L. Houston

Founder & CEO

Breaking the Core

https://gofund.me/2a75ad0b

Cash App:$Breakingthecore9