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What is a FOCUS Center?

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FOCUS Centers are setup in cities/regions to provide a hands-on outreach to the poor, needy and suffering in an area. The centers are established in a neighborhood or community with great need and are run by a local director employed by FOCUS North America and staffed with volunteers from local Orthodox churches and others. They are initially centered around a feeding program but also have several life-recovery ministries.

FNA_Kitchen

Services at FOCUS Centers are based upon the need of an area. The services they provide may include the following: community meals, food pantry, mobile hospitality outreach, companionship ministries, counseling and case management, shelter referrals, occupational training, clothing closets and other vital life recovery services.

Reconciliation Services-FOCUS Kansas City is our pilot FOCUS Center. It offers a food pantry, clothing closet, document recovery service, counseling programs and a Friday night meal where over 200 Orthodox Christians volunteer a month.

 

The Donor Bill of Rights

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FOCUS North America Endorses The Donor Bill of Rights

Monday, October 5, 2009
As a part of its strong commitment to financial stewardship and professionalism, the Board of Directors of FOCUS North America, by a unanimous resolution in its September 2009 meeting, along with the Staff endorsed the Donor Bill of Rights.

“Philanthropy is not just a financial means to a programmatic end.  Rather it is a critical part of our civic and spiritual lives.  Focus North America recognizes that ethical standards and principles are essential for earning and maintaining public trust as a non-profit agency, especially as an agency founded by Orthodox Christians,” said Fr. Justin Mathews, Executive Director and CEO.

In endorsing the Donor Bill of Rights, created by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and other non-profit associations, FOCUS North America joins the United Way of America, the National Catholic Development Conference (NCDC) and other leading non-profits in affirming our commitment to financial stewardship and programmatic excellence.

The Donor Bill of Rights

Philanthropy is based on voluntary action for the common good. It is a tradition of giving and sharing that is primary to the quality of life. To ensure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public, and that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in the nonprofit organizations and causes they are asked to support, we declare that all donors have these rights:

I. To be informed of the organization's mission, of the way the organization intends to use donated resources, and of its capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes.

II. To be informed of the identity of those serving on the organization's governing board, and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities.

III. To have access to the organization's most recent financial statements.

IV. To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.

V. To receive appropriate acknowledgement and recognition.

VI. To be assured that information about their donation is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by law.

VII. To expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature.

VIII. To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organization or hired solicitors.

IX. To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from mailing lists that an organization may intend to share.

X. To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers.

 

Mission Vison and Values

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Mission Vision and Values of  FOCUS North America

Mission:
As an expression of Christ’s love FOCUS North America serves the hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, sick and imprisoned by providing Food, Occupation, Clothing, Understanding, and Shelter.

Vision
: Experiencing and revealing the Kingdom of God in North America “on earth as in heaven.”

Values:

1. Christ Centered

2. Mercy

3. Humility

4. Financial Stewardship).

FOCUS North America will:

Serve those in need, by providing aid through our programs and partners,

Support Orthodox Christian social action ministries, agencies, professionals, and volunteers; and

Supply parishes and others with the education, resources and training needed to initiate social action ministries in their own communities.


 

Board of Directors

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Mr. Charles Ajalat, Chairman of the FOCUS North America Board, partner of the law firm Ajalat, Polley, Ayoob, & Matarese, founder of International Orthodox Christian Charities (1992), and Chancellor of the Self-Ruled Antiochian Christian Archdiocese of North America.

Mr. William Hoeft, Vice Chairman of the FOCUS North America Board and Chairman and CEO of Ziegler Inc., one of the largest and most successful engine and construction equipment dealers in the United States.

Dr. Julie Papatheofanis, MD, Secretary of the FOCUS North America Board, Dr. Papatheofanis has been practicing medicine since 1993 and was honored as San Diego, CA’s Top Doctor, San Diego County Medical Society, 2008.

V. Rev. Fr. Tom Avramis, CEO and President of Trinity Children’s Foundation (with a budget of over $70 million/year and a staff of 900).

Mrs. Lory Barsdate Easton, Esq. partner of the law firm Sidley Austin LLP and a litigator specializing in product liability and mass tort defense, currently practicing in the firm's Washington, D.C., office.

Mr. Brian Gerich- Click here for more info

Ms. Georgia Kazikas

 

Advisory Board

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Andrew Natsios, (Chairman) Former head of the U.S. Agency for International Development

Peter Marudas, Former Chief of Staff to U.S. Senator Sarbanes

Maria Foscarinis
, Founder and Executive Director of National Legal Center for Homelessness and Poverty

Kh. Frederica & Fr. Gregory Matthews-Green
, Nationally known author and commentator and outstanding parish priest

Joel Smith
, Comprehensive Media, Nashville, TN

Mrs. Theodora Polamalu - Click here for more info

 
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