Two organizations were both formed out of the ashes of Detroit's civil disturbance of 1967.
One, with a focus on racial justice and the other on food, careers and community.
New Detroit, Inc. had its beginnings just days after the riots in July, 1967, through a phone call.
"Governor (George) Romney, when he called Mayor (Jerome) Cavanaugh and Cavanaugh called Joe Hudson," said Shirley Stancato, the president and CEO of New Detroit, Inc. "Hudson said we have to find out why it happened."
Hudson was a young man at the time, running the J.L. Hudson Company. Hudson accepted the challenge of the moment--bringing a diverse group of community leaders together - 39 in all, representing business, government, the clergy as well as civic and community organizations.
"It took a lot of courage and continues to take courage to this day for leaders to stand up and do what is right," Stancato said.
Stancato told 7 Action News the organization is acknowledging the historic event of 1967 while celebrating its 50 years of work.
"We've made a lot of progress in this community," Stancato said. "We have a lot of relationships that would not have occurred if New Detroit didn't exist. What we say at New Detroit is relationships first, issues second."
Focus: HOPE has been tackling issues head on since 1968.
"This organization was founded by a Priest and a housewife," said Jason Lee, the organization's CEO.
That priest, was father William Cunningham. The housewife? Eleanor Josasitis.
"They wanted to do something," he said. They wanted to do something to make a difference in the lives of people."
That is exactly what has taken place for nearly 50 years now - 13,000 people have graduated from Focus: HOPE's careers programs.
Within a few weeks, 20-year-old Tyree Ferguson will complete his computer training studies with the goal of becoming an information security analyst.
"You can see like they really care so it's not just someone just in front of you everyday just talking," Ferguson said. "I can see like you really want me to learn."
In addition to workforce development, 41,000 seniors are served monthly through the organization's community food program.
The organization's Hope Village initiative is a long term project to improve lives of children and adults who live in the 100 blocks surrounding Focus: HOPE's campus at Linwood and Oakman Boulevard.
"We're giving people those resources and skills and training and opportunities for them to have a better life," said Lee. "Many of the challenges that were faced in the 60's and 70's are still faced today by many of the residents of Detroit and we are here to make a difference."
