Focus: HOPE

Focus: HOPE’s Workforce Development program is honored to be recognized for the second year in a row at the U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship Ambassador Recognition Ceremony in Washington D.C.! The ceremony welcomed the latest cohort of Apprenticeship Ambassadors and recognized current ambassadors for meeting or exceeding their commitments to expand and diversify Registered Apprenticeships. We are so grateful to be included in this amazing group of ambassadors.

We are shouting from the rooftops our appreciation for these Detroit PBS KIDS Valued Partners! We cannot do it alone and we are stronger together! Thank you Focus: HOPE, Detroit Parent Network, Black Family Development, Inc. and The Order of the Fisherman Ministry Head Start for being critical partners in our village!

Last week our CEO, Portia Roberson, was inducted into the Sparky Anderson's  #CATCHCharity for Children Hall of Fame! Portia joins other amazing inductees this year including Chris Spielman of the Detroit Lions and CEO of The Parade Company, Tony Michaels. What an amazing and incredible honor! Congratulations to all the class of 2024 inductees and everyone who was honored during this awesome event helping to advance the quality of life for Detroit children.

Earlier this month Director of Workforce Development & Education, Tiffany Graydon attended the William T. Grant Foundation’s Institutional Challenge Grant annual grantee convening at the University of California, Santa Cruz., where she was invited to speak on a panel during a plenary session on Surviving and Thriving in Research Practice Partnerships. Currently, the University of Michigan School of Public Health and Focus: HOPE are conducting and using research to understand how mental health-enhanced workforce development programs may benefit African American youth, aged 18-25.

We want to hear from you! Have a story or testimonial about how Focus: HOPE has impacted you or someone you know? Let us know! Follow the link to tell us your story: http://bit.ly/3MmrVYJ

2/3 of the best team of Program Directors in Detroit just missing Frank Kubik in these photos! 💪🏾

Last week, Focus: HOPE received an award on behalf of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity at an Apprenticeship Launch network event held on Thursday, October 17th recognizing us as a “Race to Talent with Registered Apprenticeship – Champion”. Congratulations to our Workforce Development & Education and Early Learning Departments on their award!

Congratulations to this year’s Shining Light Awards recipients, Andrea Cole and Ashley Lowe! The Eleanor Josaitis Award is an award given to individuals who may not have yet received the widespread recognition she/he deserves for long-standing efforts to further regional cooperation and understanding. Congratulations on your achievements!

Happy 75th Anniversary to Ford Philanthropy! As a proud partner we thank Ford Philanthropy for their lasting support for our Workforce Development & Education programming, their volunteer efforts and support for our food program and including us apart of the kick off group of the Ignite internship. We are proud of our partnership! #FordPhilanthropy #FordPhilanthropyPartner #75yearsofFordImpact #WeAreFord

Today was an awesome day! Focus: HOPE Early Learning and Workforce Development programs were honored with an award from the Michigan Department of Labor for our Early Childhood Apprenticeship program! And to top it off, later that evening, our dedicated leader Porita Roberson, CEO at Focus: HOPE, was inducted into the CATCH Night of Champions Hall of Fame. Her leadership continues to ignite change and empower our community. Feeling grateful and motivated to keep pushing forward! 💪💙 #FocusHOPE #EarlyChildhoodEducation #Leadership #CommunityImpact