ABOUT FOCUS ON RENEWAL

Founded in 1969 to focus on the needs of the community, particularly adult education, youth intervention, and economic assistance, Focus On Renewal (FOR) has been a beacon of hope to the Sto-Rox community for more than 40 years. In that time FOR has grown into a comprehensive multi-service nonprofit organization. A 501 (c) 3 nonprofit corporation governed by an independent Board of Firectors, FOR is not sponsored or supported by any religious order. Its mission is to empower the development of spirit, mind and body of individuals so they may live their lives in a dignified and fully human way.

First-time visitors are often amazed to learn of the many communit-based services Focus On Renewal offers - a food pantry and emergency support program, free daily lunch program for those in need, early Head Start program and family support program for children, the only library for miles around, and arts center for children, adults and families, and so much more (see Programs and Services for details).

As a pviotal community agency, FOR also launched the FOR Sto-Rox Neihgborhood Family Health Center, the Senior High Rise, and the Sto-Rox Community Federal Credit Unio. They each subsequently became financially self sustaining and were spun off as separate and independent 501 (c) 3 agencies. Still working closely togehter, FOR and these agencies provide a broad range of services needed in the community. FOR continues to collaborate in amny ways with these organizations to improve the quality of life for local residents.

Here are just a few of FOR's success stories:

• Since 2008, more than 800 students from several school districts participated in Reader's Theater at the Father Ryan Arts Center. As a result of their participation in this innovative program, the students improved their reading fluency and comprehension (according to DIBLES testing).
  
  
• At the FOR Sto-Rox Library, approximately 200 people participated in 2011 summer reading program events. The children and teens enrolled in the summer reading club read a total of 300 books. Five performances were featured, along with story times, arts and crafts and an icecream party (donated by a local business) for those who successfully met the program requirements.
  
  
• Focus On Renewal also positively contributes to the quality of life in the Sto-Rox area via its community center. The Sto-Rox Community Center provides activities and a place for residents to meet and socialize. More importantly, it provides a daily free hot lunch, food pantry, emergency assistnace and care management to anyone in need. No one who is in need of a meal or food from the agency's food pantry is turned away.

In the Fiscal Year 2012/2013, with the generous and critical support of the Pittsburgh foundation community, FOR successfully completed a major organizational and financial restructuring that allowed it to finish the year with a net gain and has positioned FOR to be financially sustainable over the longer term.

Mission Statement
The mission of Focus On Renewal is to empower the development of the spirit, mind, and body of individuals that they may live their lives in a dignified and fully human way.

Vision Statement
The vision of Focus On Renewal is realized through an ongoing commitment to the building of community. FOR develops and implements holistic services to meet the diverse needs of individuals. FOR provides a continuum of care through all of the life stages and strives to build resilience through advocacy and education.