Get involved: Focus:HOPE

Organization: Focus: HOPE

Location/contact:  1400 Oakman Boulevard on Detroit's West Side

Website:  www.focushope.edu

History: The  civil and human rights organization was founded in 1968 to improve life for the underrepresented minorities. Programs include advanced technical training, math and reading courses,  volunteer and community resources, community arts initiatives, community development activities, food assistance for 43,000 individuals, and public events such as an annual fall walk for diversity.

How they make a difference: Focus: HOPE’s education programs include hands-on learning components. Its engineering students work on research and development contracts, including helping the U.S. military develop portable manufacturing centers that can be set up anywhere in the world for any reason, something they call agile manufacturing cells.  In the early 1980s,  the organization broke race and gender barriers by teaching inner city youths and adults the machinist trades. It graduates approximately 300 people a year in manufacturing, information technology and engineering and has  assisted thousands more in improving entry level job skills.  

How to get involved: Many volunteers are needed for a variety of roles. They can deliver food to homebound senior citizens, tutor students in math and sciences and help our community and economic development department clear alleys, board up abandoned buildings and beautify parks in the neighborhood. Volunteers have painted classrooms and spruced up the interior  of nearby Glazer Elementary School. Still others rent the organization’s attractive conference and convention facility for weddings, organizational meetings and special events, knowing a portion of the fee helps expand training opportunities for youth.

Upcoming events: Focus: HOPE is planning a series of activities in 2007 and 2008  to celebrate its 40^th anniversary and honor co-founder Father William T. Cunningham, who died of cancer in 1997.

Source: Kathy Moran, communications director
Photographs courtesy of Focus: HOPE/Rick's Photography

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Dial 2-1-1 to be connected to more than 7,000 health and human services in southeast Michigan, including Focus: Hope's job training, food distribution, child care, tax assistance, and education programs. Whether you need assistance or want to lend a hand, 2-1-1 is there for you. To learn more, or submit a request online, click here.