ADVOCACY, EQUITY & COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT

In recognizing 50 years of service in 2018, Focus: HOPE developed a strategic plan and renewed its standing as an antiracism organization which advocates for systems change, leverages community leadership and braids race equity into all its does.

Economic Prosperity

As a Centers for Working Families site in partnership with the United Way of Southeastern Michigan and LISC, Focus: HOPE integrates financial empowerment services across its menu of programs. As such, Focus: HOPE’s students and their families have access to a wide range of supports for removing barriers along the path to wealth and prosperity.

These offerings include access to Focus: HOPE’s free food markets for those aged 60 or above; onsite MDHHS offices, no-charge financial coaching; free tax preparation through the Accounting Aid Society; GED, tutoring, apprenticeships and other job training and placement opportunities; a clothing closet; legal supports and a collection of other supports for those participating in workforce programs.

Advocacy

Focus: HOPE facilitates systems change by raising community awareness on key issues, by supporting local leadership and by leveraging collective power. This is accomplished through the embedding of civic and leadership activities into Focus: HOPE programs, the publication of thought pieces and hosting of symposiums, summits, debates and other public forums. Visit the Focus: HOPE calendar and register for newsletters to stay updated about what’s happening in the Focus: HOPE community. 

Center for Working Families: Earn It, Keep it, Grow It!

We provide no-cost services to help local residents and students attain family stability and achieve their financial and career goals.

Our CWF is a proud member of the Greater Detroit Center for Working Families, a network of CWFs across Detroit and Pontiac working collectively to provide financial opportunities to its participants.

Financial Success Classes and Coaching
Offers FREE classes and one on one coaching that help improve credit score, set budgets, developing a plan and more.

Income Support Assistance
The Michigan Department of Health Human Services (DHHS) has a permanent presence on Focus: HOPE’s campus. Counselors are available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Generation of Promise

Focus: HOPE’s premier social justice program is Generation of Promise, which supports a new generation of leaders who advance racial equity in metropolitan Detroit. Generation of Promise provides an opportunity for local youth to engage in leadership development and build regional cooperation.

Generation of Promise conducts a 10-month diversity awareness and relationship building program for an annual class of 60 high school juniors.

Generation of Promise member high schools reflect a wide range of racial, ethnic, religious and socio-economic communities. The communities include Birmingham, Dearborn, Detroit, Grosse Pointe, Southfield and Warren.

Students engage in over 120 hours of program experiences between August and May including a summer orientation retreat. Students are encouraged to challenge stereotypes or misconceptions they hold and work to build relationships across divisions. They are also challenged to refine their leadership skills and are given opportunities to apply those skills in a variety of settings.

Duration:
August – April
Every Second Wednesday of each month;
7:45 am – 3:00 pm (students are excused from school to participate)

Graduation is the first Sunday in May.
Requirements: Participants of Generation of Promise must be enrolled in one of our partner schools. Students complete the application as a sophomore and participate in the program during their junior year of high school. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA or above.