In late February, FOCUS Detroit initiated two new ministries in order to serve more neighbors with essential needs, information, and most importantly, relationships.
The Nest is a referral-based initiative, funded in part by a grant from the Rehmann Foundation, is aiming to equip new parents and their children with education and resources in order to offer a holistic way to ensure the formative years of infancy and toddlerhood are positive and fulfilling. “We are aiming to build a trusted village, where parents and kids feel God’s Love enveloping them; that stress is relieved, and parents don’t have to choose between diapers or food for their families. A place where we can shift from mere “survival mode” to a dignified state of thriving” says FOCUS Detroit Center Director, Adam Murphy. By the end of 2026, we are aiming to establish a cohort of mentors from across the Orthodox Christian Community of Metro Detroit, to form a peer-to-peer program of support, for both moms and dads.
Our second way to fuel relationships is called Coffee & Connections. This program was formed because there aren’t many places in the neighborhood where FOCUS Detroit is located to get a cup of coffee and sit in a calm and safe place, where the nervous system can just relax and there is peace. We heard the needs of our neighbors for this kind of ministry. A ministry of relationship and accompaniment in life. Our goal: filling up our cups…both literally and figuratively. Pouring a hot cup of coffee and serving pastries and donuts are simple actions, but are means to connect with the individual, and in-turn, the whole community. When our neighbors come in, they are welcomed with smiles and care, and asked if they need anything additional: clothing, hygiene products, food pantry items. Our volunteers sit and talk with the neighbors, facilitating deep conversations and getting to know our neighbors by name. We have started by welcoming our friends who receive services at our Saturday hot meal ministry to come on Friday mornings as well, and have been spreading the work about Coffee and Connections to their friends and neighbors.
Our aim is to eventually invite community organizations to offer services, from haircuts to health triage services during this time, and to expand this program to Thursdays.
You can support these new ministries, and all of the work of FOCUS Detroit by clicking the button below!
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