Twitter Facebook Linkedin Youtube Instagram Menu Who We Are History Meet The Staff Reports Mission Recognizing the dignity and beauty of every person, we pledge intelligent and practical action to overcome racism, poverty, and injustice. And to build a metropolitan community where all people may live in freedom, harmony, trust and affection. Black and white, yellow, brown and red from Detroit and its suburbs of every economic status, national origin and religious persuasion we join in this covenant. Adopted March 8, 1968 Your gift to Focus: HOPE will make a difference. COLLABORATION We work together and in partnership with others to achieve shared goals related to our mission. DIVERSITY EMPOWERMENT EXCELLENCE HOPE INTEGRITY PEOPLE Our Co-Founders Detroit was still smoldering from the 1967 civil unrest when a small band of people, led by Father William T. Cunningham and Eleanor M. Josaitis, pledged to unite a community that was sharply divided on racial and economic lines. They wrote a mission statement that pledged “intelligent and practical action to overcome racism, poverty and injustice”. Father William T. Cunningham As a young priest, Father William T. Cunningham marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and preached eloquently against “the malignancy of racism.” By the time his life drew to an end, he had left an indelible mark on the community. Eleanor M. Josaitis The turning point in Eleanor Josaitis’ life came in 1963 as she watched a televised report on the violence inflicted on civil rights marchers in Selma, Alabama. The horrific scene ignited Josaitis’ passion for justice. 1968-1979 1980s 1990s 21st Century 1968-1979 Detroit was still reeling from the 1967 civil unrest when a small band of people, led by Father William T. Cunningham and Eleanor M. Josaitis, pledged to unite a community that was sharply divided on racial and economic lines. The founders’ first action was to organize Focus Summer HOPE, a riverfront festival that brought together city and suburban residents in a spirit of friendship and harmony. It was such a success that the co-founders embarked on other social advocacy initiatives. They trained a group of priests to preach on civil rights issues by exposing them to the rhetoric of extremist groups. Next, they collaborated with Wayne State University on a study that demonstrated that city residents were paying significantly more for food and prescriptions than suburban residents. The HOPE ’68 study exposed some of the conditions believed to be behind much of the violence of 1967 and laid the foundation for Focus: HOPE’s entire approach to resolving the effects of discrimination. As Focus: HOPE was working to bridge the racial divide, a major Detroit employer announced its move to the suburbs. Focus: HOPE took the employer, AAA of Michigan, into Federal District Court and proved the move was racially motivated. As a result, hiring practices were changed to open opportunities for women and people of color. In 1971, after gathering scientific evidence of the effects of hunger and malnutrition on the early development of infants, Focus: HOPE’s co-founders won approval for Focus: HOPE’s participation in the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). It provided food for pregnant and post-partum mothers, infants and children up to age six. At age six, children who were still in need qualified for the school lunch program. After winning support for mothers and children, the co-founders tackled the issue of hunger among senior citizens – successfully extending the federal CSFP program to include low income seniors in 1982. The program now assists 41,000 people each month through Focus: HOPE’s four food centers and more than 600,000 people nationally in 48 states, the District of Columbia, and 2 Indian Tribal Organizations. Board of Directors Board of Directors D. Scott Sandefur, Chair Lizabeth Ardisana, Vice Chair CEO ASG Renaissance Daniel G. Brudzynski Vice President, Gas Sales & Supply DTE Energy Lisa Caldwell Managing Partner of the Americas Consulting Practice Ernst & Young LLP Catherine Clegg Rev. Marko Djonovic Pastor Church of St. Moses the Black John A. Dunn President and CEO, The Americas Plastic Omnium–Auto Inergy Division Carlton M. Faison Senior Vice President, Global Commercial Banking Bank of America Merrill Lynch Kevin Gentner Jonathan Jennings Vice President Global Commodity Purchasing and Supplier Technical Assistance, Ford Steven Jensen Partner Deloitte & Touche LLP Burt Jordan Eric S. Mitchell Owner West Village Garden LLC Jane Fran Morgan President JFM Consulting Group Paul N. Myles Sr. Manager, Government Workforce Development and Training Programs Magna International Inc. Kristi Stepp Partner Sigred Solutions Leo G. Stevenson Resident Director, Wyandotte Merrill Lynch Chris Villavarayan Chief Executive Officer and President Meritor Robert L. Watson Assistant Treasurer and Chief Investment Officer FCA US LLC Focus: HOPE Annual Reports 2020 Financial Statements 2020 Impact Report 2019 Impact Report Recognizing the dignity and beauty of every person, we pledge intelligent and practical action to overcome racism, poverty, and injustice. Address: 1400 Oakman Boulevard Detroit, MI 48238 Phone: (313) 494-5500 Quicklinks Home About Focus: HOPE AmeriCorps At Focus: HOPE News & Press Blog Calendar Privacy Policy Employment Services Early Learning Youth Development Job Training Food for Seniors Community & Advocacy How to Help Donate Volunteer Become a Corporate Partner Planned Giving Donor-Advised Fund Online Store © 2021 Focus: HOPE. twitter facebook linkedin youtube instagram