From Haiti to Los Angeles, CORE and Caterpillar Team Up to Support Communities in Crisis

From Haiti to Los Angeles: CORE and Caterpillar Team Up to Support Communities in Crisis

CORE’s CEO Ann Lee had been living in Haiti for four years when the devastating 7.0 earthquake struck Port-au-Prince in 2010. Caterpillar’s Jim VanLue was working as an operator for the company in Mexico City and immediately organized a team to send vital equipment to assist with search and recovery operations. Ann and Jim’s paths first crossed during those early days of the response—they formed an immediate bond as they took on the difficult work of sifting through and clearing rubble. And 15 years later, they’re back on the frontlines together in Los Angeles following the wildfires.

Jim spent 31 days in Port-au-Prince, working closely with Ann as the community tried to tackle the seemingly insurmountable loss and destruction. He and his team from Caterpillar cleared massive piles of debris—which, sadly, often turned into recovery operations for those who had perished under the rubble. Jim, Ann and the teams worked closely to clear roads of debris and take down government buildings, while recovering bodies to families. Within the month, the Caterpillar team trained Ann and her teammates how to manage a cadre of operators of heavy machinery, that led to CORE in Haiti removing millions of cubic meters of debris, and taking down the Presidential Palace in Port-au-Prince.

The pair has stayed in touch over the years, as CORE grew into the global humanitarian organization that it is today.

Fifteen years later, as Ann drove through the areas damaged by the fires in Los Angeles, she was reminded of her time in Haiti; with the images of the complete devastation of her hometown. With more than 16,000 structures burned and tens of thousands of Angelenos displaced, it was clear the community was changed forever.

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As CORE launched a multifaceted response to meet the urgent needs of impacted families, Ann reached out to Jim to get Caterpillar’s support. Jim once again jumped right in, eager to help his longtime friend.

“I’ve built a lot of relationships with my customers, with my own team, with dealers and things like that, but it’s nothing compared to the relationship that Ann and I built starting 15 years ago. I consider her a part of my family, and I’m going to support her family,” Jim shared, reflecting on his decision to team up with CORE.

Jim took the request up the ladder, mobilizing Caterpillar to donate his time and expertise to manage the contractors hired by CORE to clear out the water reservoirs in Altadena. In March, he flew in from Colorado to oversee operations at the first site, the Rubio Cañon reservoirs in Altadena. The Eaton Fire consumed the Rubio Cañon reservoirs, burning and contaminating two tanks with ash and debris from surrounding homes and other structures. As a result, nearly 10,000 people lost access to safe drinking water.

Clearing debris after a wildfire is a complex operation, especially in an urban area like Los Angeles County. CORE works with trusted partners on debris removal projects, including Caterpillar and local contractors, to ensure we are following local, state, and federal regulations. We also perform our due diligence to verify the credentials of the contractors completing the projects. These experts are certified and trained to handle these complex sites, perform asbestos testing and abatement, and safely manage the disposal of hazardous fire debris. They also equip and enforce the use of protective gear, including P100 respirators with appropriate filters, disposable coveralls, gloves, and other PPE.

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Now, after the success in Altadena, CORE and Caterpillar are headed to the Pacific Palisades to remove debris from a beloved local church and preschool, which have remained untouched for three months.

“I know after living for years in a city full of ghosts and rubble, how it kills hope in any possible future. Clearing debris and rubble in my home of Port au Prince in 2010 was like breathing again, and it had such an impact on thousands of people’s psyche to start believing in rebuilding and a future back home,” said Ann. “I want this again for my neighbors and community in Los Angeles – with the hope and the vision to rebuild stronger and safer neighborhoods.”

Since reconnecting with Ann, Jim was reminded of her—and CORE’s, by extension—commitment to serving communities in crisis, no matter the roadblocks.

“CORE has a passion like none other, and I’ve told my wife that, and everybody I talked to. From Ann all the way down, you all have passion for people. Ann doesn’t want to see anybody displaced, just like she wouldn’t want any of her family or you or me or anybody else.”

On top of the meaningful reunion, the partnership between CORE and Caterpillar is a critical part of CORE’s 5-pillar recovery plan to help rebuild LA over the next five years. Learn more about our work here.