REESORZ founders Holly Romero and Lisa Hopper in Tucson, AZ in 2011.
If you asked me how REESORZ began, I would take you back to a vivid dream in 1994, a dream that became the spark for a movement rooted in compassion and resourcefulness, and which continues to evolve today. Looking back over the past 150 years, our world has developed the means to house, clothes, feed, and heal people on an unprecedented scale. Yet, it is often in times of crisis and uncertainty that we realize how much we still depend on each other, and how the true wealth of a community lies not in money, but in the willingness to share, help, and uplift.
In 1994, I started what would become a major force for civilian aid, right in my Tucson garage. It was a humble, volunteer-driven project at first, with the simple goal of helping local schools and families. As our impact grew, so did our need for space—eventually moving into unused buildings like the former Julia Keen Elementary School, thanks to the generosity of property owners who believed in the power of community. What we achieved was never about profit, but about mobilizing unused resources: gently used school supplies, medical equipment, and technology that could be given a second life.
A pivotal chapter in this journey began in 2004, when I met Holly Romero. Holly was working for a local news station and was assigned to create a PSA (public service announcement) for one of World Care’s initiatives . Even from our first conversation, it was clear that she possessed a rare talent for storytelling through the lens of her camera and a deep understanding of what truly motivates people to act. Holly didn’t just promote our organization—she connected with our volunteers, families, and the larger community, shining a light on the very heart of our mission.
As the organization continued to grow, so did our need to share the stories of those we served and the impact we were making. Holly began to travel with our team, covering disasters and relief efforts both locally and abroad. Her ability to communicate the urgency and possibility inherent in our work helped inspire countless others to join our cause. Through her lens, people didn’t just see the challenges—we saw hope, resilience, and the extraordinary things that could happen when a community comes together.
The foundation of everything we did was built on two guiding principles:
First, an unwavering belief in the goodness, commitment, and power of people to help one another, regardless of age, background, or circumstance.
Second, the conviction that anything and everything could be recycled or repurposed to aid those in need. These simple ideas fueled our mission and allowed us to respond to local, national, and international crises, from devastating fires in Southern Arizona to hurricanes and earthquakes around the globe.
While our reach extended to over fifty countries, with resources used to rebuild clinics and hospitals in more than eighty-five nations, the heart of our work remained right here in Southern Arizona. Nearly 87% of our resources stayed local, helping families in crisis every single day. Our doors were open to all—no religion, no politics, just people helping people.
Our programs became lifelines for many. Students received refurbished computers and school supplies, ensuring access to technology and opportunity. Families borrowed medical equipment and accessed basic health products at little to no cost. Our volunteers—students, retirees, and community members—became the backbone of every project, repairing medical equipment, sorting donations, refurbishing computers and staffing our wellness clinics. We even offered a free weekly clinic, providing basic health screenings for anyone who walked through our doors.
The World Care emerged as a powerful force, diverting millions of pounds of non-usable goods from landfills and transforming waste into hope. By working with local businesses, hospitals, and individuals, we made it possible for companies to gain tax incentives and reduce their carbon footprint through responsible donations. Even sensitive proprietary equipment, from computers to research technology, was securely destroyed or repurposed, providing peace of mind as well as community benefit.
By 2015, my mother was battling cancer for the second time and needed medical resources that Medicare wouldn’t cover. After 21 years of leading the organization, I knew it was time to pass the reins and focus on caring for my family. My mother understood my mission deeply and supported me with her faith and prayers. World Care was able to provide the things she needed. Her fight ended in November 2019, marking another turning point in my life. Meanwhile, World Care continued to thrive under the guidance of a passionate younger generation committed to the cause. Though darker and uncertain times lay ahead, our journey was recognized with the highest ratings for efficiency and transparency. Yet, the true reward was always in the stories—of a child finally able to do homework on a donated computer, an elderly person regaining mobility with a borrowed wheelchair, and families finding help when they needed it most.
Yet, in 2020, the world halted. The unforeseen events of that year forced the organization to close. But while the name and building are gone, the legacy endures. The vision I had decades ago, strengthened and shared by Holly Romero and so many others, has now transformed into REESORZ—a new chapter built upon those same foundational values of community, ingenuity, and generosity.
Today, REESORZ continues the new journey, harnessing digital platforms and community networks to meet new challenges. The heart of our mission remains unchanged: to draw on the resourcefulness of people, to recycle and repurpose for good, and to create a world where help is always within reach. As we look to the future, the spirit of that first dream, and the community it inspired, lives on, proof that even from humble beginnings, a movement can grow strong enough to change the world.
Author: Lisa Hopper, Co-Founder of REESORZ