PASSION

This information is the foundation for how Project FOCUS works. A simple and informative guide for how "we think" change should and can be made.

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GUIDING PRINCIPLE:

Educate. Inspire. Empower. Project FOCUS aspires to create positive social change by educating, inspiring, and empowering humanity through art. Project FOCUS believes that every individual has a story to tell. By empowering youth to share their stories through various artistic mediums, we hope to give a voice to their unique experiences. Once the stories are captured by different art forms, Project FOCUS creates a visual and auditory exhibit with the intentions of educating the audience. If the audience is able to gain a true sense of the artists' experiences through their work, it becomes possible for the viewer to relate to an abstract social issue on an intimate level and create an experiential reference. Once this personal connection is established, it is the hope of Project FOCUS that the individuals are inspired to respond; to be a driving force in bringing about positive social changes both locally and globally. The desired outcome of this long-term cyclical process is to promote sustainable development by focusing on the needs, desires, and hopes of local communities as conveyed by the artists.

PHILOSOPHIES:

Creating a Common experience: Our goal is to create an open dialogue between people of two seemingly different worlds and break through cultural barriers by exposing the common elements of humanity

Building Relationships: Project FOCUS has a large grassroots community in the Chicago area. (In Uganda, we’ve established a solid group of advisors and mentors and continue to cultivate relationships by submerging ourselves in the local communities in which we work.)

Long term commitment: Project FOCUS has set a high precedence for its members, expecting long-term commitments. We believe that the only way to develop sustainable programs is to establish and maintain relationships with individuals, organizations and communities in the areas where we work.

Challenge: Project FOCUS has grown a great deal since our first year in existence. Not only are we challenged by outside mentors who question our intentions and actions, but also by our own members. Project FOCUS members offer many diverse opinions and perspectives, constantly questioning each other when making decisions and planning projects.

Quality Over Quantity: While grand numbers and statistics are often used to convey success, Project FOCUS places more value in individuals. We have learned that the most meaningful change comes from dedicating more emphasis to the processes than to the end results. We choose not to grow in quantity if it conflicts with growing in quality.

Transparency and Accountability: We demand a lot from the organizations we choose to work with, but most importantly, we demand a lot from ourselves. As we expect an honest dialogue about projects, intentions and finances within our own organization, we expect the same from partnering organizations.

Responsible Media: Project FOCUS values the strengths of individuals, families, and communities. We believe that life is complex and delicate. To misrepresent such a concept is irresponsible and unethical. It is not our intention to show the poorest of the poor, or the sickest of the sick in an attempt to guilt an audience into action. Rather, we seek to be honest and accurate while sharing the intimate stories of the human experience in the hopes of inspiring others.

Resisting a Traditional System of Foreign Aid: Project FOCUS is not a typical non-profit organization. In fact, we usually do the opposite of “traditional” when faced with any issue, large or small. On the local level, we demand a lot from our members, and the only compensation is knowing that our efforts may someday result in positive social change. On a global level, we refuse to be viewed as merely donors. We feel that our greatest offering as an organization and as individuals is our diverse set of skills and services, our time and our genuine intentions. It is our hope that our efforts will help to cultivate lasting relationships in such communities and will allow for an effective partnership in the future.