Brookings CORE Response is a peer-run organization!
A peer-run organization is one in which those who oversee the organization’s operation and are in positions of control have previously accessed, and sometimes still do access, specific services. These include mental health services and/or addiction services. Peer-run organizations also include people who have personal lived experience with homelessness, domestic violence, and other trauma. All of our staff, and many of our board members, are Traditional Health Workers and Social Workers. For more information on Traditional Health Workers, visit: https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/SENIORS-DISABILITIES/HCC/PSW-HCW/Pages/Traditional-Health-Worker.aspx
Meet the team!
Diana Cooper, PSS/CRM
Executive Director, Ext. 20
Diana Cooper is a certified Community Health Worker and Peer Support Specialist/Certified Recovery Mentor, as well as the organization’s Founder/Executive Director. She holds a degree in Family Support Services, combining Human Services and Early Childhood Development, and is currently working on her Bachelors in Public Health at Portland State University. Her previous work experience includes: Community Health Worker/Advocate for St Timothy’s Episcopal Church; Community Health Worker for AllCare Health in Jackson County; Community Health Worker for the Family Nurturing Center in Medford; and Membership Staff at the Rogue Valley Family YMCA in Medford for five years. She has many years of volunteer experience, including: Street Outreach at Maslow Project in Medford; three years volunteering with the Jackson County Homeless Task Force; previously on the Board of Directors for the Family Nurturing Center; and Parent Advisory Council Member for the Southern Oregon Early Learning Services (SOELS) Hub of Jackson County from 2014 to 2017. She currently serves on the Leadership Team for the Curry County Homeless Task Force, a Local Planning Group recognized by the State of Oregon.
Diana was born and raised here in Brookings, Oregon. She and her husband, Matt, struggled with homelessness and addiction until 2013 when they entered a treatment program in Southern Oregon. She plays the piano and guitar, and likes to hunt for sea glass.
Cindy Bell
Operations Director, Ext. 21
Bio coming soon!
Dave Hubbard, CHW
Housing Programs Manager, Ext. 11
Dave Hubbard is our Housing Programs Manager and also provides housing navigation. He has been an advocate for the homeless population in Curry County and the Southern Oregon Coast for many years. He lives in Brookings, Oregon and is a certified Community Health Worker. His previous work includes Community Action Partnership of Oregon (CAPO) and Oregon Coast Community Action – Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF), supporting people and veterans without housing for the last 6 years. He was previously on the Board of Directors for Curry Homeless Coalition and has been involved in Oxford House of Oregon since 2013, working to keep homeless individuals suffering from addiction housed and on the right path.
Dave enjoys spending time with his family, being outdoors, gardening, riding motorcycles and being of service. His goal is to see that all of our neighbors have a safe place to call home.
Steve Scruggs, PSS/CRM
Health Programs Manager/Resource Navigator, Ext. 10
Steve Scruggs is our Health Programs Manager and also provides resource navigation. He is a certified Peer Support Specialist and a long-time resident of Brookings who has spent years working to serve the community wherever he finds a need. For the last 6 years, he has worked alongside individuals living with disabilities and has extensive knowledge in this area. His volunteer work includes coaching youth sports, helping different organizations with fundraising efforts, blood drives, and putting on plays at the community theater. He is also an EMT and is attending school to be a licensed Family Nurse Practitioner.
Outside of work, Steve enjoys spending time with his family, playing music, being in nature, and being of service to those in need.
Kathleen Teague, PWS
Peer House Manager, Ext. 22
Kathleen manages our walk-in services at Peer House and is often the first person you meet when you walk in the door. She has lived in Brookings for 20 years and raised three children here. Her previous work in the community includes a long career in retail, and she has served on the Board of Directors for the Chetco Pelican Players for many years. She also holds a Bachelors in History.
Aside from participating in community theater, both on and off the stage, Kathleen also likes to spend time with her children and grandchildren. At CORE, she wants to make sure that everyone gets the help they need and improve the health of the community.
Laura Kukuriscas, CMA, PSS/CRM
Resource Support Specialist, Ext. 12
Laura is our dedicated Peer Support Specialist and was previously a longtime volunteer with Brookings CORE Response, supporting community members that came to Peer House looking for services. She also provided critical volunteer support during our first ever Warming Center in Brookings during the winter of 2023. Laura is a Certified Medical Assistant and has lived in Brookings for several years. Her life experience led her to enroll at Southwestern Oregon Community College, where she is working towards a degree in Human Services.
Laura has a love of nature and spends her spare time walking dogs, hiking, bird watching, and practicing photography. She endeavors to make sure everyone she meets knows that they matter and that “we can recover from addiction and mental health disease.”
Liz Adams
Shelter/Transitional Housing Manager
Bio coming soon.
Heather Graf
Housing Navigator
Bio coming soon.
Sandy Welch
Housing Navigator
Bio coming soon.
Frances Schriver
Housing Support Specialist
Bio coming soon.