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High 5 for a new career!

This gentleman was so excited about Focus: HOPE's job training programs he gave a 'high 5' to admissions advisor Denise Hawkins. He attended our recruiting event which explained the job training options available. Focus: HOPE has funding to put 500 people through either machinist or information technology job training. Enrollment is continuous. Call 313.494.4300 weekdays between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. or stop by the Admissions Office at 1200 Oakman Boulevard. Learn more »

Lawyers pack their 50,000th box of food!

The Incorporated Society of Irish American Lawyers and Catholic Lawyers Society of Detroit reached a milestone May 5 when they packed their 50,000th box of food at our warehouse! The groups have been packing food boxes since 2001 when they asked our late co-founder, Eleanor Josaitis, how they could get involved at Focus: HOPE. We deliver the boxes of food to more than 1,000 homebound seniors each month, so volunteer support in packing the food boxes is vital. Learn more »

Earn + Learn Graduation

During Earn and Learn graduation on April 24, Maseo Rhodes and other graduates received a congressional recognition certificate signed by U.S. Representative Hanson Clarke. The certificates were presented by Clarke's representative, Jacquise Purifoy. They recognize the graduates for persisting through four weeks of job readiness training. Now, the graduates are eligible for part-time jobs and for advanced education and training. Rhodes expects to begin work at Re-community Recycle and pursue a career in health care. Learn more »

Light for HOPE a Huge Success!

Nearly $3 million was raised for the Eleanor M. Josaitis Fund for Focus: HOPE at a tribute in her name March 10. A $1 million challenge issued by Art Van Elslander resulted in donations nearly tripling the amount originally anticipated from the fundraiser. The fund will carry on the work of Josaitis who passed away in August. To see videos on our programs that were produced for the event, click on the video blade in the lower right corner. Learn more »

Special Holiday Delivery

Donations to our food program enabled Focus: HOPE to make special holiday deliveries to 550 senior citizens. Joe Stephens and John Alston made the deliveries to grateful residents of Oakman Manor, the senior citizen building in our neighborhood. Learn more »

What Works Project

We did it! Thanks to your support we reached the $10,000 mark through the GE Celebrate What Works project. The photos that you helped us upload and "like" showed creative ways of reducing our footprint on the environment. To see them, go to www.celebratewhatworks.com. Although our project has ended, the GE project will continue until November 1, as it engages people throughout the country in discussing what is working, and the positive ways that we can impact our environment. Learn more »

It’s time to Earn and Learn

The exciting new Earn and Learn program puts local residents on the path to jobs despite this tough economy. The program targets at-risk youth (primarily minority males between the ages of 18 and 24) and formerly incarcerated or chronically unemployed adults who are residents of Detroit, Highland Park and Hamtramck. Students take four week of work readiness training and then are placed in part-time jobs to start building their resumes. Employers can receive a subsidy for hiring Earn and Learn students. Learn more »

Shopping for books

Cennine Thomas and her sons JayLynn, 4, and Zaire, 6, picked out books March 3 after 35 organizations dropped off donations of books, nonperishable food, and new art supplies as part of the Eleanor Josaitis Community Service Tribute. A semi-truck filled with donated items came from Art Van Furniture stores. The books were especially popular among children. All donated items will be distributed to local schools and families -- something that would have made Eleanor happy. Co-founder Eleanor Josaitis passed away in August. Learn more »

R&D Staff Attend LAM Workshop

Representatives from Focus: HOPE’s Manufacturing R&D team recently attended the 4th annual Laser Additive Manufacturing (LAM) workshop in Houston, Texas. Application engineers, managers and academicians from around the world attended the two day workshop which highlighted the evolving trends and end use of laser additive manufacturing in various industries. Learn more »

                 

Dream come true

LaKeisha Johnson said she couldn't believe her eyes when she moved into a new two-bedroom apartment in the brand new Oakman Place Apartments on the east end of our campus. "It seemed like a miracle to me," she said. The Lutheran Child and Family Service of Michigan development opened recently with 24 units for low-income families and homeless youth. LaKeisha's said her favorite part is having a washer and dryer. Something every mother can identify with! Learn more »

And the winner is…

The very first assignment for high school students in our Excel Photography Program was to cover our WALK as photojournalists. These young students from Detroit high schools photographed the children’s activities, entertainment, and the WALK itself. Each selected their favorite photo (published here). We were given the challenge of selecting the best photo...and here it is. Not only did Semaj McCarthy capture a great angle on this U-M Fanfare Band member, but he captured his own reflection in the trombone. Learn more »

Community and Economic Development

Focus: HOPE's commitment to the neighborhoods around our campus just got bigger. With the launch of our HOPE Village Initiative, Focus: HOPE will lead efforts to make this area a very desirable area to live, work, and raise a family. Our primary efforts will be directed toward supporting the education achievement of children living in our neighborhood. Learn more »

New life for the Bell Building

Neighborhood Service Organization (NSO) is transforming the former Michigan Bell Building on Oakman Boulevard at the Lodge Freeway. The building, once owned by Focus: HOPE, will become the headquarters for NSO and will feature 155 one-bedroom apartments for homeless individuals. A number of services will be available onsite, including mental health counseling, addiction treatment, crisis intervention, suicide prevention, problem gambling treatment and a state-of-the-art training facility. Learn more »

Never too old to learn

At 93, Estell Stanley has the distinction of being the oldest person enrolled in the Connect Your Community computer classes. She says you are never too old to learn something new. Enrolled with her is Estell’s daughter, Gwendolyn Davis, 78 (center). The women, and Cora Lathan, 70, (left) are learning the basics of computer usage from CYC instructor Ameen Shareef. Learn more »

Kids dig the Community Garden!

Kids are gardening in the Focused Hands Community Garden every Wednesday as part of the Summer in the City at Ford/LaSalle Park. The Ford/LaSalle Park Revitalization Committee has teamed up with Summer in the City volunteers and University of Michigan’s Cultivating Community group to provide fun activities for children in the Focus: HOPE neighborhood this summer. Learn more »

Art is a Blast!

The Art Blast program drew to an end recently when neighborhood parents and children participated in a drumming circle at Focus: HOPE. The closing program featured children making a sandpaper quilt, family photos taken by area teenagers, a graduation ceremony – and the drumming circle let by Lori Fithian of Drumunity. Throughout the school year, parents and children from local schools gathered at Focus: HOPE for a combination art and music project, along with a community conversation. Learn more »

Youth Development

Urban and suburban teenagers share their experiences through two youth development programs at Focus: HOPE. In Focus on the Mission, students work with professional photographers to explore the city and its cultural areas. Before long, they are learning from one another and finding that, though their life experiences may differ, they share common interests and goals. Learn more »

Generation of Promise

Each year, high school juniors in the Generation of Promise program emerge with a greater understanding of diversity and a commitment to eliminate racism in our community. The teenagers start out as strangers and along the way develop friendships that span various cultural and economic boundaries. Students also participate in exercises that help them develop leadership skills. Learn more »

Center for Children

At our Center for Children, youngsters exercise their bodies and minds. Each day is filled with new experiences that promote intellectual, physical, emotional and social development. The new climbing wall in the gymnasium is one of the more popular activities for older children. Our Summer Day Camp is so popular that children ask to come back each year. Learn more »

                   

Special Food Delivery to Seniors

In a true spirit of giving, volunteers gathered at Focus: HOPE Saturday to deliver food to more than 700 homebound senior citizens. The special delivery included turkeys, potatoes, fruit, vegetables and canned goods, all of which had been donated for the event. Peter and April Baker, both graduates of Focus: HOPE's machinist training program, brought their children Vanessa, 9, and Nathan, 17, to share in the special holiday giving opportunity. The event also kicked off a special tribute to Eleanor Josaitis. Learn more »

Food Program

Our food program is designed with the dignity of 42,000 participants in mind. In a setting that resembles a grocery store, participants receive a grocery list, make their food selections, then proceed through a checkout line. Nutritionally-balanced food is provided to mothers, children and senior citizens through this cost-effective program administered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Learn more »

Let’s talk turkey!

Generous donors have provided turkeys and other food for families and homebound seniors this Thanksgiving. Donations from Mercy High School and radio personality Steve Harvey were distributed just in time for Thanksgiving, as well as food purchased by couponing expert Faatima Evans. Marilyn Clemons, left, from our Food Program, and volunteer Anthony Paul made several of the Thanksgiving deliveries. Next, we will hold our Special Holiday Delivery on December 17 for more than 600 homebound seniors. You can still volunteer to make deliveries, or collect food for our seniors. Call 313.494.4270. Learn more »

     

Warm coats for children

Hyundai North America recently donated 1,000 warm winter coats for children in our community as well as $10,000 for Focus: HOPE operations. The coats protect children from the elements when catching the bus or walking to school. “Our partnership with Hyundai is growing in ways that directly benefit people in our community,” said William F. Jones, Jr., CEO of Focus: HOPE. In the last three years, Hyundai has donated 3,000 coats and $30,000 to Focus: HOPE. “We look forward to working with Hyundai for many years to come,” said Jones. Learn more »

Capital Campaign Launch

Focus: HOPE kicked off a capital campaign recently at a supplier breakfast hosted by Lear Corporation and Robert Rossiter (left), President and CEO of Lear. Students and graduates from Focus: HOPE had the opportunity to attend the event and mingle with business leaders. Attendees included (from left) Tony Brown, Group Vice President, Global Purchasing, Ford Motor Company; Anthony Swift, MTI student; Rhonda Newson, MTI graduate; William F. Jones, Jr., Focus: HOPE CEO; Justin Wyatt, MTI student; and Robert Socia, Vice President for Global Purchasing and Supply Chain, General Motors. Learn more »

Partnership brings jobs to the city

Governor Rick Snyder joined Focus: HOPE CEO William F. Jones, Jr., (left) and Android Industries CEO Gerald Elson to announce a partnership that brings new jobs into Detroit. Android is leasing 70,000 square feet of our Center for Advanced Technologies and producing headliners and front and rear suspension systems for the Cheverolet Volt. Eighteen people are now working in Detroit -- and more jobs are on the way. A great partnership that benefits our community! Learn more »

Acts of Kindness transform 9/11

Teams of people of all faiths, ethnicities, races and ages came together at Focus: HOPE on September 11th for a day of service and remembrance. Volunteers cleared brush, packed food boxes, assembled backpacks with school supplies and created art projects. Working together to pack food boxes were (from left) Fatima Abdallah, Shera Banford, Nevein Abdallah and Saida Mustful. Learn more »

A Check from PSCU

Focus: HOPE received the most votes -- and therefore $2,500 from Public Service Credit Union -- in a completition in which credit union members voted for their favorite charity. The credit union is one of our newest partners. It opened a branch on our campus in 2010 and provides a full range of services for colleagues, students and residents of our community. Learn more »

The 37th annual WALK

The 37th annual WALK drew about 5,000 people on October 9 to walk in support of Focus: HOPE's mission to overcome racism, poverty and injustice. It was a beautiful day tinged with a bit of sadness because it was the first walk without our beloved co-founder Eleanor Josaitis. Still, she would have loved the camaraderie that permeated the event—and the diverse array of entertainment and food. Learn more »

           
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Video

Photo exhibit to open

Photographs taken by Detroit high school students in our Excel program will be exhibited at the Museum of Contemporary Art May 23-27. A special exhibit opening will be held 6 to 9 p.m. May 23.  These students are amazingly talented -- don't miss the chance to see their photos!  

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