A Letter From Our CEO

For 55 years, Focus: HOPE has worked to remain a pillar in the social justice and civil rights space in Metro Detroit. From the beginning Father William Cunningham and Eleanor Josaitis’ vision was simple—to build a better community for everyone. Together Father Cunningham, Eleanor and a small group of people wrote our mission to reflect just that. But as time moves forward and we still face so many of the same challenges, we still live in a world where the fight for inclusion continues to be an everyday battle.

Focus: HOPE is rooted in diversity, equity, and inclusion and breaking those barriers in the way of helping individuals thrive. To make sure we are continuing to represent just that and uphold the vision of our founders we have decided to make sure our mission reflects that. We have addressed language that is now outdated, and not descriptive of the world we live in today and replaced it with language that honors those persons and communities our organization serves with respect.

With that, we present to you our new, refreshed 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. With special consideration for history, economic station, place, culture, faith, sexual orientation, gender, and race, we affirm this pledge. – January, 2024

Through our new mission, we continue to evolve and grow in this work. Our team thanks you for 55 years of HOPE and looks forward to 55+ more as a trusted leader in this space.

Portia L. Roberson, Esq.