Houston, August 10, 2023
Photo: Focus North America – Facebook
Expectant mothers and young families in and around Houston will soon receive support from a rapidly expanding Orthodox nonprofit organization.
The newest project from FOCUS North America, a pregnancy and family resource center in the Texan city, will aim to “provid[e] resources for struggling families and a community where they experience Christ’s love,” reports the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America.
FOCUS (The Fellowship of Orthodox Christians United to Serve) “exists to serve the poor by bringing together Orthodox Christian churches and community partners to provide Food, Occupation, Clothing, Understanding, and Shelter and other assistance to address the needs of local communities,” according to the organization’s mission statement.
FOCUS “works to address the ultimate cause of poverty in the world: disconnection from Christ and disconnection from one another. It does this by providing people with opportunities to serve alongside and discover their kinship with others while addressing needs in their local communities.”
The organization provides food, clothing, shelter, and more throughout the country, including in Cleveland, Minnesota, Detroit, Southern California, Gateway City, and West Central Pennsylvania.
According to the Antiochian Archdiocesan report, more than 50 people participated in a kickoff meeting for FOCUS Houston in late May, after which two dozen local faithful then set about researching programs, identifying a location, and fundraising. Now, this exploratory board is transitioning into an advisory board, and the search for a center director will soon be underway.
“FOCUS Houston will offer CARE:
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Community Building: baby showers, social events, birthday parties;
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Assistance: referrals to and from partner nonprofits;
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Resources: clothes, car seats, formula, diapers, food; and
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Education: classes for mothers, tutoring for kids.”
“FOCUS Houston will respond to the call to labor and strive with those who are suffering by providing resources for struggling families and a community where they experience Christ's love.”
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