Focus Hope Detroit, Food Programs, and Fighting Inequities in the City – Ep. 5 with Jason Lee

Jason Lee, CEO of Focus: HOPE talks about how the organization is retooling to meet the current inequities in Detroit. Focus: HOPE was created to address the issues that led to the 1967 Rebellion. Now, 50 years later, Lee talks about “how we see Detroit” and their mission of FIGHTING RACISM, POVERTY AND INJUSTICE.

Focus: HOPE address the problems of hunger, economic disparity, inadequate education and racial divisiveness through its three primary programs.

Lee talks about how the organization is refocusing on these initiatives:

FOOD
Our Food Program provides 41,000 low-income seniors with monthly food packages to assist with independence, healthy living and addressing basic needs. Our program also provides important infrastructure for health screenings, income support, tax preparation and utilities assistance for seniors and the community at large.CAREERS
With an extraordinary record of success in working with underserved and underrepresented individuals in the Detroit/Southeast Michigan community, we offer high-quality work readiness, pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs in a range of in-demand career fields.
COMMUNITY
The HOPE Village Initiative is breaking the cycle of generational poverty impacting the community around Focus: HOPE by: providing quality education for children and families, creating economic opportunities for community members and transforming the environment.

Also in this episode, you’ll hear CEO Jason Lee’s excitement as he discusses what Focus: Hope’s programs will look like going into the next half-century.