Focus on the Children

12/02/2025

https://unitedwayrocflx.org/roc-the-day/causes/focusonthechildren

11/24/2025

Please share!

11/05/2025

Please share. Support your local food pantries with food donations or even better contribute funds. They are able to use their buying power to purchase more for less. Together, we can get this done.

10/31/2025

Pop up Pantry (Foodlink) hosted at Cal-Mum School today starting at 10:00am.

09/27/2025

https://alhartfuneralhome.com/obituaries/laura-canne?utm_source=search&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=standard&cta=fh-website

Laura was born on October 9th, 1961 and passed away on September 25th, 2025 at the age of 63

09/26/2025

We have some very sad news to share. Our dear friend and colleague, Laura Canne, has passed away after living with cancer for many years. She passed yesterday at home, surrounded by her loving family, who were everything to her.

Laura is responsible for this little agency.

Even before there was a Focus on the Children, Laura collaborated with Bob Jones of Caledonia and his pastor, Merl Galusha. And through the Livingston County Coalition of Churches, she provided outreach to families in Livingston County. Bob was privately funding her position. Per his request, she organized the original Back-to-School and Christmas programs.

In 1992, when Bob approached Merl about taking their work in the community further, Merl knew they needed to bring Laura and her dedication to the families of Livingston County on board.

Laura was hired as our first Executive Director and worked with Bob, his daughter Betsy, and Merl to do the legwork to organize a private not-for-profit agency. Laura chiseled out a mission statement that fit Bob's vision - "to serve the needs of children in Livingston County that cannot be met by any other agency or program" - those are Laura's words. Bob was diagnosed that same year with lung cancer and in 1993 he passed away just as Focus on the Children was launched. That same year, Laura received word that Focus on the Children was nominated by the Office of the Attorney General for the Decade of the Child Award and she would accept this honor in Albany, presented by Matilda Cuomo.

Laura mastered many areas, she was a grant writer, she was a mentor to interns, she understood the role of other agencies and programs, she watched the trends of where families were struggling most in our County, but primarily, she was open hearted and foremost put the welfare of children first. She was a ferocious advocate and with her help and her voice she brought attention to substandard housing conditions, which resulted in a fairer housing program in the County. She also hosted round table discussions with area resources and the utility companies serving our communities, which resulted in proactive consumer advocacy for customers. She was not afraid of anyone and could stand toe-to-toe with any suit and tie.

After a hiatus from Focus on the Children, Laura returned to the agency and has been serving on the Board of Directors. She was also the backbone of our Review Team, a committee that makes weekly and sometimes daily decisions regarding applications for assistance. Her absence will leave an enormous void in our agency and in our hearts. We will carry on and continue to follow her lead with grit and compassion, serving our clients with the dignity and respect that made Laura an irreplaceable advocate to our communities.

05/08/2025

02/06/2025

12/13/2024

A gentle reminder. Feel free to share.

11/26/2024

You will be hearing from us a little more than usual as it is that time of year.... We would like to introduce you to a new page on our website: https://www.focusonthechildren.org/new-2024-testimonials If you have given to our little agency in the past, or if you are a local case worker / social worker / etc, know you have provided change in the lives of children in our communities. We wish for you a wonderful holiday season of peace and love. Thank you!

"You’re amazing! Thank you so much for everything! Your work is appreciated!" ~ Family Support Specialist ______________________________________ "Wow! It made my heart swell!!! I am so pleased to be a part of FOTC!!" ~ Volunteer FOTC "Focus on the Children responds verify rapidly to our

07/12/2024

More information from our friends at OFA.

07/12/2024

please share with friends and family