Scholarships Open Opportunity for Education and Career

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H O L I D AY 2 0 0 7

Scholarships Open Opportunity
for Education and Career
If Marcus Landrum graduates from Often, the scholarships make the events like the WALK which raised
Focus: HOPE’s engineering difference between students continuing nearly $175,000 and the Stone Soup
program, he will be the first college their education or dropping out. “The car raffle (see page 4) which raised
graduate in his family— and he award will be used to continue my nearly $181,000. Named
could start a trend. path to obtaining certification in a scholarships were started this year by
“It will hopefully inspire the youth global industry with lots of two longtime supporters: Jim Padilla,
in my family to follow in my footsteps opportunities,” wrote ITC student retired president of Ford Motor
and seek a secondary education,” Karl Shelley. “It is a relief to be able to Company and current member of the
Landrum wrote in a letter thanking a concentrate on the task rather than Focus: HOPE Board of Directors,
scholarship donor for the chance to worry about finances.” and Lloyd Reuss, former General
advance his education. MTI student Tiffani Fountaine said Motors president who is executive
Landrum received one of 262 she hopes one day to “pay it forward.” dean of the Center for Advanced
tuition scholarships worth $484,523 “My wish is that in the future I will be Technologies and chairman of Focus:
since the Success Scholarship program able to assist some hardworking HOPE’s Advisory Board.
was started just over one year ago. In individual the way you have assisted Donations to the Success
addition, 19 child care scholarships me,” she wrote to a donor. Scholarship Fund can be made online
worth $36,573 and 125 special needs The scholarship fund grew at www.focushope.edu or by calling
scholarships worth $20,986 have through a combination of donations 313.494.5500.
been awarded. from individuals and businesses and

Focus: HOPE’s Manufacturing Holiday Concert
Kicks off Season
Curriculum Expands CNC Skill Set The Friends of Focus: HOPE will once
The face of manufacturing is changing— and Focus: HOPE is changing its again kick off the holiday season with a
manufacturing curriculum right along with it. The Machinist Training concert on Sunday, December 2, at the
Institute announced changes to its curriculum recently that place a new North Rosedale Park Community Center,
emphasis on CNC operator and set-up skills. 18445 Scarsdale, Detroit.
Students will continue to learn the manual processes of operating lathes, The popular concert features local
mills and grinders but the program will emphasize computer processes that musicians, including Ron Coden,
are now present in most machine shops and industry. Charlie Latimer, Phil Marcus Esser, and
“Our research with employers found that CNC skills were highly valued Ortheia Barnes. It is the longest running
and that employees with those skills will command higher starting salaries,” fundraiser for Focus: HOPE.
said Julian Pate, director of education. “These curriculum changes will
prepare our graduates for sustainable careers. Indications are that the need Tickets are $25 and can be reserved by
for skilled workers in manufacturing will increase by about seven percent in calling Carmen at 313.494.4334.
the next 10 years.”
The MTI program involves eight months of full time study and includes
course work in math, blueprint reading, technical drafting, Computer Aided
Design (CAD), manufacturing theory, computer literacy, communications,
and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing.
The curriculum updates were based on interviews with employers, focus
groups, and surveys. Among the findings were that up to 90 percent of U.S.
manufacturers will face a shortage of qualified production workers in the future.
Since it opened in 1981, MTI has graduated more than 2,200 students. It
placed the first African Americans and women into machine shops
throughout the area. Many graduates continue into Focus: HOPE’s Center
for Advanced Technologies where they can earn a bachelor’s degree in WALK 2007 drew a large crowd for a two-
mile walk and loads of entertainment and
engineering through partnerships with area universities. food. Turn to page 2 for more.
Hot Day, Cool Activities at WALK 2007
Temperatures reaching 90 degrees didn’t discourage Focus: HOPE supporters
from attending the 33rd Annual WALK for Diversity on October 7.
Nearly 4,000 people walked a two-mile route through the neighborhood
south of the campus, raising more than $175,000 for student scholarships.
Afterwards, they enjoyed food, entertainment and children’s activities.
Steve Sorenson’s participation reflected the intent of the WALK. “We have
a multi-racial family,” Sorenson said. “My wife and I are white, my (seven)
biological kids are white, and we have two adopted children from Haiti, two
African-American girls, and two Guatemalan sons. They’re still a little young
to understand what the walk really means, but the experience of them being
here is really good for them. We plan to come back again as long as we can.”
Charles Pugh, co-anchor of FOX 2 weekend news, served as master of
ceremonies. The University of Michigan Fanfare Band and the Calico Troop
of the Buffalo Soldiers led the WALK.
When walkers returned to the campus they enjoyed grilled foods and
diverse entertainment. Performers included Motown’s Contours, Salsa band
La Inspiracion; Jazz performers Wendell Harrison and Friends, and folk music
by Friends of Focus: HOPE.

WALK 2007 was marked by camaraderie,
children’s activities and entertainment including
folk singers from Friends of Focus: HOPE
(at right, above) and The Contours (at right,
below). Charles Pugh (upper right) of FOX 2
News was the master of ceremonies.

Photos by John Lewis and Josh Polito

Hope in Focus Holiday 2007 2 Focus: HOPE, Detroit
Holiday Giving Program Focuses on Senior Citizens
Holiday giving efforts coordinated many as 200 seniors. Employees and
through Focus: HOPE will You can help! their families get in on the project,
concentrate this year on senior gathering together on a Saturday
Get in the holiday spirit by delivering
citizens who receive food through morning to pack and deliver food.
food to senior citizens.
our Commodity Supplemental Food Those who are interested starting
Program. Rather than taking 8 a.m. until 12 noon their own holiday tradition can
referrals from agencies, Focus: HOPE Saturday, December 15. contact Roger Paige at
will collect fresh food and extra 313.494.4410, send in a monetary
Focus: HOPE Central Warehouse
staples for the thousands of seniors donation, or show up on Saturday,
6500 E. Davison, Detroit (just east
who depend upon our food program. December 15, to help deliver food.
of the railroad tracks)
“The reality is that so many of our (See inset.)
seniors have little money for food Volunteers will gather fresh and Donations to this effort will
after paying their bills and buying packaged food and deliver to homes enable Focus: HOPE to buy fresh
prescriptions,” said Frank Kubik, and senior apartment buildings. items, like turkeys, in large
manager of the food program. “We quantities. “Your dollar goes a lot
hope by concentrating all our holiday further when we can leverage it,”
giving on our senior citizens that we Schools, businesses and groups of notes Interim CEO Tim Duperron.
will be able to brighten the holidays employees often conduct food drives Monetary contributions can be
for many of them.” to extend holiday cheer to seniors. mailed to Focus: HOPE, 1355
The food program currently assists Mercy High School and University of Oakman Boulevard, Detroit 48238.
34,000 senior citizens each month. Detroit Jesuit High School collect Checks should be made out to Focus:
Volunteers deliver food boxes to food for seniors every year. One HOPE, with “senior food program”
nearly 10,000 who cannot pick up business, Great Lakes Gas designated in the memo section.
the food themselves because of health Transmission Company in Detroit,
or transportation issues. has made it a tradition to adopt as

Meet a few seniors who depend upon us for food.
Medical expenses cut into income.
Sylvia Whitfield, 70, has known her husband Charles Whitfield, 86, to be a provider
throughout the majority of their 52 years of marriage. For the last few years she has
lovingly accepted that caring for him through his challenge with Alzheimer’s has
become a full-time job.
Along with the challenge of his debilitating disease, she is also faced with the task of
meeting the household and medical bills along with making sure they have food to eat.
The Detroit residents struggled to do all of that with only $1,359 monthly until they
began receiving monthly food boxes through Focus: HOPE’s Commodity Supplemental
Food Program about four years ago.
Charles and Sylvia Whitfield
“I found out I was eligible, but I was unable to go pick it up because I don’t drive and
it’s hard to get people to take you places,” said Sylvia. “My husband has Alzheimer’s
and I can’t leave him. This helps out. We’re both diabetic, so…everything we receive is
healthy for us. I think it’s very nice that we get Focus: HOPE food.”

Either pay bills or eat.
Dessie Thompson, 74, who lives on $744 a month, was faced with the choice of paying
the bills or eating.
For the last 10 years, she has been able to manage both thanks to the Focus: HOPE
Commodity Supplemental Food Program. The nutritious food also helps her stay on track
with the strict dietary requirements she must follow as a diabetic.
“When I retired, like most people at that time, I hadn’t quite prepared for the letdown in
money circumstances,” said Thompson, who lives with an adult son who has a mental
disability. “I wasn’t able to work anymore because I have osteoarthritis. I had a lot of bills
to pay and my social security wasn’t enough. I had to make a choice: pay the bills and Dessie Thompson
don’t eat, or eat and don’t pay bills. So, I appreciate the program and I support it fully.”

Hope in Focus Holiday 2007 3 Focus: HOPE, Detroit
Focus: HOPE News Briefs

Car Raffle Fulfills Dreams for Winner — Enrollment Increase
and Scholarship Recipients Enrollment in Focus: HOPE’s education and
Taking the seat behind his new 1968 Dodge Charger, Rickey Tue looked like a man whose training programs grew in the last fiscal
dream had been fulfilled. year. A total of 1,148 new students enrolled
in 2006– 07, exceeding the previous year
Tue, 47, of Southgate won the vehicle in the Stone Soup raffle sponsored by the JJ and by 37 percent and becoming the highest
Lynne morning show on classic rock radio station WCSX 94.7 FM. Focus: HOPE sold the enrollment in four years.
tickets for the drawing, raising nearly $180,000 for scholarships that will in turn fulfill the
dreams of dozens of Focus: HOPE students seeking education to improve their lives. The increase was fueled by four short
advertising campaigns, including a
Tue said he buys one $25 Stone Soup ticket each year. This year, he was particularly targeted campaign aimed at residents of
pleased to see the proceeds benefit Focus: HOPE. Once a month, Focus: HOPE delivers the 48238 zip code surrounding the Focus:
boxes of nutritionally-balanced food to the senior citizen complex where he works as a HOPE campus. The targeted campaign was
maintenance man. “My mother gets food through Focus: HOPE,” he added. funded with a special grant from the
Tue and his wife, Christine, also received a two-year lease on a 2007 Dodge Charger, Knight Foundation.
donated by Joe Ricci Dodge. Enrollment increased in all programs, including
Now that he is recovering from the shock of winning, Tue said he is looking forward to the manufacturing, information technologies, skill
2008 summer car cruises. “I go to the downriver cruise each year, and sometimes the enhancement and engineering.
Telegraph cruise. I’ve never been to the (Woodward) Dream Cruise, but I’ll be there this
year. I’ll be driving instead of watching from the sidelines.”
Partner Award Recognizes
Dow Automotive contributed $5,000 to Focus: HOPE for the Stone Soup project. Community Development
Efforts
The Detroit Local Initiatives Support
Corporation (LISC) and Community
Development Advocates of Detroit (CDAD)
recently presented Focus: HOPE with the
prestigious 2007 Partner Award for its
support of and contribution to the nonprofit
community development industry in Detroit.
Focus: HOPE’s Community and Economic
Development department was selected for
its work in building partnerships and
rebuilding the neighborhoods around Focus:
HOPE. Particularly noted at the awards
ceremony was Focus: HOPE’s willingness to
partner with a wide range of residents,
nonprofits, and for-profits to make a
difference. Focus: HOPE was also
commended for its community building
efforts, and for working hand in hand with
many volunteers on projects to improve the
Rickey and Christine Tue have a new addition to their family, the 1968 Stone Soup Dodge Charger. community, such as boarding up vacant
properties and eliminating polluted areas.
“Focus: HOPE has been a great partner,
Exhibit Reveals Challenges Of particularly in the Central Woodward
Formerly Imprisoned Artists Communities, which includes the North
The Focus: HOPE Gallery is featuring artwork by formerly imprisoned artists and their End,” said Karen Tyler-Ruiz, senior program
mentors through December 19th. The artwork reveals the talents of these individuals and officer for LISC. “It has constantly provided
calls attention to the challenges they face as they reenter society. For more information leadership and been a great collaborating
visit www.prisonarts.org. partner. The organization doesn’t just make
a decision based on what it thinks or
Earlier this fall, the Gallery featured artwork calling attention to the plight of homeless women.
believes. It always checks in with its
The Gallery is located on the second floor of the Center for Advanced Technologies. constituency. Focus: HOPE is very clear
Exhibits are produced through the Community Arts department. They are open to the public about who they represent and what’s in the
at no charge from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. best interest of the community.”

Hope in Focus Holiday 2007 4 Focus: HOPE, Detroit
Internships Give Engineering Shining, Northwood
Education Real Impact Awards Presented
Engineering students from the Center for Advanced Technologies are gaining
to Eleanor Josaitis
insight into real world operations and problem solving through internships. Eleanor Josaitis, co-founder of Focus:
Since starting the internship program nearly two years ago, there have been HOPE, received two prestigious awards
60 student internships at 20 companies. recently. She was honored by the
Students often find that their education— and the extra emphasis here on Detroit Free Press and Metropolitan
good work habits and communication—prepare them for the challenge. Affairs Coalition with a Shining Light
That’s what Nichole Gilbert found when working in technical support at award presented in memory of the late
General Motors. She learned how critical it is to work quickly and correctly. Neal Shine and his steadfast desire to
“I demonstrated both my willingness and my ability to learn,” she said. “We promote regional cooperation in
are not expected to know everything. However, we are expected to know southeast Michigan.
what we don’t know and learn it as quickly as possible.” Called the Unsung Hero award, it
Chiquita Dunbar returned recently from an internship at Caterpillar where recognized Josaitis for focusing her
she experienced a broad range of tasks, including troubleshooting. Among her career on addressing the issues of
valuable experiences was watching her supervisor “troubleshoot a major race and social injustice that are
machining error on one of the vertical lathes,” she said. “I learned how to impediments to regional cooperation.
eliminate possible causes to find a root variable of an error.” In the future, the award will be named
Those are the types of experiences that can’t be duplicated in a classroom, for her and recipients will be selected
noted Joanna Woods, manager of CAT. “These internships really round out through a public nomination process.
our students’ education. This practical experience is what makes them so
highly valued in the workplace.” In addition, Josaitis received Northwood
To provide an internship opportunity, contact Woods at 313.494.4199. University’s Distinguished Women’s
Award. Presented in Dallas, Texas, the
award recognized eight women from
throughout the country who have made
contributions to the community and
who are role models for Northwood
students. The award recognizes women
whose achievements reflect the
principles of free enterprise,
entrepreneurship, arts and business
partnerships, and the global perspective
upon with Northwood was founded.
In addition, Focus: HOPE received an
award for its commitment to promoting
diversity and inclusion from Corp!
magazine. The award was presented
at the first annual Michigan’s Salute to
Diversity program sponsored by the
Michigan Business and Professional
Association and the Michigan Food
and Beverage Association.
Chiquita Dunbar, right, recently returned from an internship with Caterpillar in Iowa.

The Focus: HOPE Annual Fund — A Partnership for the Future
In the early years of building Focus: HOPE, which has been a hallmark of the
its co-founders Eleanor Josaitis and Fr. organization for nearly 40 years. Annual
William Cunningham sometimes relied on giving supplies the critical financial funds
small groups of partners and close friends which support food and educational
to support educational programs and share programs and help bridge the gap between
the organization’s mission with the rest of the actual cost of operating educational The
the community. Today there are many who initiatives and the costs paid by students. Annual Fund
embody that same spirit of generosity and
continue to help make their vision become
a reality.
Each year, Focus: HOPE relies on the
With your support, we can continue the
dream that is Focus: HOPE and give more
students a chance for success. Please use
the enclosed envelope and support
2008
Focus: HOPE operates on a fiscal year,
generosity of many individuals, corporations Focus: HOPE and its future—today! commencing on October 1st and ending
and friends in order to retain the tradition th
on September 30.

Hope in Focus Holiday 2007 5 Focus: HOPE, Detroit
The Challenge: Implementing a
Vision and Making Ends Meet HOPE in Focus is a publication of Focus: HOPE,
Most of us can look back over our We are best suited to support other 1355 Oakman Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48238.
careers and recall when a door was institutions of higher learning because of 313.494.5500 • www.focushope.edu
opened or an opportunity presented itself the social support we can provide. It’s
because of the generosity of a simply not as simple as just Focus: HOPE Board of Directors
mentor or colleague. My enrolling in school—it is William F. Jones, Jr.
Chairperson, Board of Directors
own career at Ford Motor often a question of how to Chief Operating Officer
Company benefited from get out of a homeless shelter Chrysler Financial
people who were willing to and into an apartment, or Lizabeth Ardisana
give me a chance. how to get eyeglasses, or Vice Chairperson, Board of Directors
CEO, ASG Renaissance
So it is with our students how to obtain bus passes
Joseph B. Anderson
who are seeing all types of when you barely have money Chairman and CEO, TAG Holdings, LLC
opportunities open because of for food. Peter Brown
the generosity of our partners That’s our mission and Executive Editor and Associate Publisher
Crain Communications’ Automotive News Group
and supporters. Dozens of our our challenge. We are on
Daniel G. Brudzynski
engineering students have the cusp of an expansion Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, DTE Energy
gotten invaluable work experience through that will truly take our education Gary L. Cowger
internships. Hundreds of our information programs to a new level. While we put Group Vice President
technology and manufacturing students are together the funding sources for the full Global Manufacturing and Labor Relations
General Motors North America
able to continue their education because of picture, we are struggling to make ends
Monica E. Emerson
generous donations to our scholarship fund. meet in the short run. Executive Director, Corporate Diversity Office
These opportunities benefit both our If you have faith in what we are doing, Chrysler LLC
students and our society. As they gain please consider donating to us this year. John Fikany
skills and sustainable employment, our Your investment in Focus: HOPE is an Vice President, U.S. Commercial
Industry Solutions Organization
graduates become taxpayers and are able investment in the future of our Microsoft Corporation
to provide for their families. We are community. It will open opportunities to Eleanor M. Josaitis
buoyed each time a graduate comes back those who most need our help—and Co-founder, Focus: HOPE
to brag about a new house or car. ultimately it will provide a badly-needed Jack A. Litzenberg
Senior Program Officer
Yet, our challenges have never been stimulus to our state’s economy. Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
greater. We are in transition as we get With warmest wishes for the holidays, Sean B. McCourt
the vision in place to expand our Chairman, Ford Motor Land Development Corp.
education and training opportunities. We James J. Padilla
are committed to helping the Retired President, Ford Motor Company
underserved sharpen their math, reading, Glenda D. Price, Ph.D.
Timothy M. Duperron President Emerita, Marygrove College
communication and computer skills so
Interim CEO Gerald E. Rosen
they can pursue training toward a Judge, United States District Court,
diverse array of career paths at area Eastern District of Michigan
community colleges. 11/07

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