Values

We are rooted in our congregations and churches because they are the center of our communities and one of the most trusted community institutions to bring people together. We act through our common values and beliefs: respect, fairness, compassion, responsibility, family, justice, democracy, and diversity.

FAMILY

Families are the reason FOCUS exists. People's concerns for their families are the central driving force behind our organizing. In a world where families are endangered and pressures on families are growing, FOCUS strives to respond to the needs of families and to be a voice for youth and families in our communities.

JUSTICE

Within all of our faith traditions, there is a deep commitment to justice. We seek fairness and opportunity for our families, for our neighbors and for those most in need. FOCUS offers a way to put our faith into action for justice.

DIVERSITY

We believe the strength of a community comes from welcoming and embracing diversity. The mixing of our different backgrounds and experiences leads us in creative new directions. We are intentionally building an organization that is diverse in our ethnic, denominational, and socio-economic backgrounds.

DEMOCRACY

FOCUS has a deep commitment to our country's democratic traditions. For us, being a citizen is more than simply voting. Our members listen to and discuss concerns in their communities. As a result of these discussions, leaders are developed with the skills and power to work with public officials in a nonpartisan way to transform our communities.

TOP 3 GUIDING PRINCIPLES

1. “Never do for others what they can do for themselves.”

This is a powerful principle that guides everything we do. We have a “bootstrap philosophy” that people must make a personal investment to improve their lives. We believe that ordinary people have the ability to make a difference in their communities, but often don’t know how or where to start. FOCUS acts as a catalyst for ordinary people to come together and work with public officials and institutions that can help solve problems in local communities. We provide the support and training that enables ordinary people to make extraordinary changes. People speak and decide for themselves. FOCUS enables people to take responsibility for being part of the solution. We are doers, not whiners. We really get things done.

2. “When in doubt, do a one-to-one.”

We talk and build relationships with the people in the community who know first hand their problems best, and what needs to be done. That is how issues are identified for action. We visit with hundreds of families “one-to-one” out in the community to understand their concerns and invite them to participate. We build positive relationships with people in the community, and also with the people and institutions that can help solve the problem.

3. “Power is a product of relationship.”

What makes us different is that we listen, we build relationships and we ultimately partner with our public institutions on specific needs. Our method addresses local neighborhood concerns—no matter how small—and we do this neighborhood-by-neighborhood across Orange County. Our success means that our organization endures. FOCUS has been here for thirteen years, and is growing to meet the future needs of our County. We believe personal investment in our communities really makes the difference.