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ABOUT US

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GK1 World Foundation doing business as  Gawad Kalinga USA (GK USA) is a lead mission partner of the Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation, Inc. (GKCDFI) in creating a sustainable template to end poverty.
 
Founded in 2009, GK USA is a duly registered 501c3 corporation working independently, but in conjunction with GKCDFI, a Philippine-based non-profit movement that aims to end poverty by building caring and sharing communities.  It employs an integrated and holistic approach with values formation and leadership development at its core.

Gawad Kalinga translated in English means “to give care." Its approach to attacking poverty began with building a cluster of homes in communities. Residents go through a values formation program that focuses on restoring dignity and self-worth. GK raises funds to help the marginalized build permanent homes with the latter contributing their sweat equity. GK opens access to education, more secure employment or livelihood opportunities and health and well-being. 

GK USA has contributed significantly to enable GK to build over 3,000 communities across the Philippines. Such presence has placed Gawad Kalinga in a position to know the lives of the poor intimately, and offer an effective, multi-faceted solution to poverty.

Local and international government agencies, other nonprofits, academic institutions, corporations and individuals are engaged to design and implement scalable interventions rolled out through its wide volunteer network and workers, and with the help of community members themselves.
 
These platforms focus on the multiple solutions to alleviate poverty: shelter and land security, health and well-being, child and youth development, family productivity, and community resilience. 
 
Programs include home-building and community development; an anti-hunger program currently feeding over 100,000 hungry children on school days; a school for social entrepreneurship as an education-based solution to rural development; community health interventions piloted and scaled with the help of local and international agencies, universities and volunteers.
 
Gawad Kalinga has been recognized by local and international organizations for its work, such as: Ramon Magsaysay Award (the Asian equivalent of Nobel Peace Prize), Skoll Foundation, Nikkei Asia Prizes and Conrad Hilton Humanitarian Award among others.

Prospective volunteers, fundraisers, student interns and corporate donors can get involved by reaching out to us at contact@gk-usa.org and we will connect you to the Area Directors listed below. GK USA is also eligible for employee matching programs and grants from institutions who share our mission and vision.

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GK USA is a registered 501c3 non-profit organization.

TAX ID NO.: 352361640

© 2018-Present by GK 1 World Foundation dba GK USA

GK USA Receives Candid’s Platinum Seal of Transparency

 

We are proud to announce that GK USA has been awarded the Platinum Seal of Transparency by Candid—the highest level of recognition for nonprofit accountability. This seal affirms our commitment to sharing clear, measurable data about our goals, progress, and impact as we work to end poverty in the Philippines.

We remain dedicated to earning your trust and using every resource responsibly to serve the communities that need us most.

Thank you for your continued support!

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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FRANCIS DE LOS REYES III, PHD

Chairman

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CARLOS CAPATI, MD

Board Member

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JOSE RAFFINAN, JR., MD

Board Member

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JOSIE DISTERHOFT

Board Member

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RON ECHOLS

Board Member

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CHRISTIAN GARCIA

Board Member

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MYLENE SUPAN-RIVAS APRN CRNA

Executive Director

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CAROL TULUD

Board Member

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MARICEL VILLANUEVA

Board Member

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MARILYN BELLO
Chief Financial Officer

Board Member

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LESLIE TIQUIA

Board Member

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ALLYSON NEPOMUCENO

Board Member

NATIONAL OFFICE

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MYLENE SUPAN-RIVAS APRN CRNA

Executive Director 

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MARIA MERCEDES AMANTE

Operations/Finance

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ELEANOR FIGUEROA

Finance

AREA DIRECTORS 
Volunteers, fundraisers, interns, and corporate donors can reach us at contact@gk-usa.org to connect with the Area Directors below

NORTHEAST

Boston, MA: Jose Belarmino

Hampton, VA: Guia Caliwagan

Richmond, VA: Rudy Bolipata

New Jersey: Jun Domantay 

New York City, NY: Carol Tulud(interim)

Washington, DC: Carol Tulud (interim)

SOUTHEAST

Alabama: Dolores Cook

Miami, FL: John Jarin  (AD Lead)

RDU, NC: Irene Alivio

Tampa, FL : Roque Barrido

NORTH CENTRAL

Chicago, IL: Jojo Sabado

Missouri: Ranel Sarmiento

South Dakota: MJ Torres

SOUTHWEST

Denver, CO,: Sheila Deforest

Las Vegas, NV: Louis Gosioco

SOUTH CENTRAL

Houston, TX: Gigi Bautista

TEX-OMA - Racquel Colburn

WEST PACIFIC

Antelope Valley, CA: Carol Tulud (interim)

Orange County, CA: Laarni Diamse

Riverside County, CA: Tony Pascua

Sacramento, CA: Trisha Patterson

San Diego, CA: Jun de Guia

San Jose, CA: Eleanor Figueroa

Santa Clarita, CA : Marilyn Bello 

Seattle, WA: Jinkee Braza

GK USA logo

GK USA is a registered 501c3 non-profit organization.

TAX ID NO.: 352361640

© 2018-Present by GK 1 World Foundation dba GK USA

  

GK 1 World Foundation, dba GK USA

14241 E. Firestone Blvd., Ste. 400, La Mirada, CA 90638

(949) 424-5872

contact@gk-usa.org

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