Focus Development Organization

10/16/2026

10/14/2026

When a mother brings her daughter to our sewing workshop because she wants to learn, we see it as a beautiful sign of success. It means we are inspiring creativity across generations.

Today, people from diverse backgrounds are joining us to learn, share their talents, and build friendships. With every new participant, we are strengthening our community—one stitch at a time.
USA for UNHCR

10/14/2026

This International Day of the Girl, we asked women with lived experience of forced displacement and refugee leadership what they would share with refugee girls living through displacement crises today.

10/09/2026

In Loving Memory of Michael John Noel

Focus Development Organization joins the Stevens Point community in mourning the passing of Michael John Noel, a remarkable man whose kindness and generosity touched countless lives.

John offered compassion and support to people regardless of their background, nationality, or circumstances. Many Afghan families, including our own, experienced his generosity and friendship firsthand. His encouragement and care helped families feel welcomed, valued, and supported.

The humanity John demonstrated reflects the values at the heart of our work: dignity, inclusion, and compassion. He showed how one person’s kindness can strengthen an entire community.

On behalf of Focus Development Organization, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Patty and the entire Noel family. We share in your sorrow and remember John with deep gratitude.

His legacy will live on in the families he supported, the friendships he built, and the lives he changed.

With sympathy and gratitude,
Focus Development Organization

10/07/2026

Another successful and joyful day at our sewing class! 🧵🪡✨

We were delighted to welcome new participants, including our youngest participants, and new members of our community from Guatemala and India. It was wonderful to see our sewing family becoming even more diverse and connected.

This week, we learned how to read sewing patterns, take accurate measurements, and continue building our sewing skills together. There was so much learning, laughter, and connection throughout the class.

A special thank you to Susan for her continued support and for being part of this wonderful journey with us. ❤️

We look forward to welcoming even more participants and continuing to learn, create, and grow together!

USA for UNHCR
Frame Memorial Presbyterian Church

09/21/2026

Ready to take your sewing skills to the next level—and learn how your creativity can become an opportunity?

Focus Development Organization, in partnership with USA for UNHCR and Frame Memorial Presbyterian Church, invites you to our Advanced Sewing & Entrepreneurial Workshop.

This workshop goes beyond sewing. Participants will strengthen their sewing and design skills while learning the basics of starting and growing a small business, building confidence, connecting with others, and turning creative skills into opportunities.

📅 Every Thursday | October–November 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
📍 Frame Memorial Presbyterian Church
1300 Main St., Stevens Point, WI 54481
💰 FREE

Whether you want to improve your sewing, create your own designs, or explore the possibility of starting a small business, we would love to have you join us.

📩 Registration: [email protected]

Sew. Learn. Create. Grow.
Empower your creativity. Build your future. ❤️

Please share this post with someone who might benefit from this opportunity!

USA for UNHCR
Frame Memorial Presbyterian Church

09/14/2026

Mariia Yatsko
Vice Chair, Georgia Chapter American Russian-speaking Association for Civil & Human Rights (ARA)

I’m honored to invite you to an important upcoming roundtable discussion:
Ukrainians and Russians in the U.S. Displaced by War and Repression: The Role of Congress in Restoring Humanitarian Protection
Monday, September 14
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Hybrid event: Washington, DC & online
This conversation will bring together immigration attorneys, policy experts, advocates, and congressional staff to discuss humanitarian protection for people displaced by war and repression, as well as the role Congress can play in strengthening oversight and legislative solutions.
I’m especially honored to help moderate this discussion alongside Dr. Dmitrii Daniel Glinski, with an outstanding group of speakers, including representatives from Refugees International, Global Refuge, the Ukraine Immigration Task Force, We Are All America, and others.
To RSVP and receive the address and/or Zoom information, please email:
[email protected]
I would be deeply grateful if you could join us and help share this event with others who may be interested.

Please support her for Ukrainian refugee rights.

09/08/2026

With USA for UNHCR – I just made it onto their weekly engagement list by being one of their top engagers! 🎉

09/03/2026

We are especially grateful for the trust you have placed in Focus Development Organization and for giving us opportunities to learn, grow, and strengthen our work.

Thank you, USA for UNHCR, for standing with refugee-led organizations and for helping us build stronger, more hopeful communities.

When women lift up other women, everyone moves forward.

Sarwat, a former refugee from Afghanistan, started a project that provides refugee women in Wisconsin with training in marketable skills such as sewing, garment production and embroidery.

Her goal is to provide women with pathways to economic independence and dignified income by building on skills many of them already have.

Through USA for UNHCR's Sparking Change program, Sarwat will be taking this project to the next level — from basic sewing instruction to a more fleshed-out entrepreneurship program, where participants will receive hands-on mentorship and training, along with classes on small business ownership.

Follow along each week to meet more refugee leaders creating lasting change across the United States.

08/22/2026

Event Alert 🚨

It is time to share stories and connect! On Thurs, Sept 10th, the and partners are ringing in with a special Storytellers Showcase event.

During this virtual event, you’ll learn more about the Collective, hear original stories, poems, and reflections from members, and discover ways that you can foster the same connection with your own neighbors.

Share widely and register today: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bWTQtAx1QweqtS1ZRkVAPw #/registration