FOCCUS began as a project of the Institute for International Connections (IIC - www.iiconnect.org), a national organization of social workers, educators, psychologists and psychotherapists. IIC is dedicated to fostering implementation of Virginia Satir’s pioneering work on family systems and democratic relationships in the former Soviet Union.
An IIC conference in Veronesh, Russia, in 1995 initiated contact with a group of educated and committed young Soviet professionals who had just been hired by UNESCO to staff the new community centers. In 1996 the IIC Board approved a proposal by Norma Berkowitz to launch a support project on behalf of these Centers.
In spring 2002 FOCCUS became in independent non-profit corporation qualified by the internal revenue service as a 501(c)3, tax exempt organization with its own Board of Directors.
FOCCUS is directly responsible to its own Board of Directors. The Board is currently composed of 14 members from the fields of social work, business, academics and law. It has been a 100% volunteer organization, with no officer or Board member receiving compensation.
In 2008, FOCCUS is excited to announce that it has hired Robert Schuettpelz to be a part time Executive Director to further the mission of the organization. In 2009, Robert is also serving as interim President of FOCCUS.
FOCCUS is a non-membership organization. However, there are two very active FOCCUS groups that foster its mission. One group is in Madison, Wisconsin and the other is in Bethesda, Maryland. Each group has representation on the FOCCUS Board of Directors. Although each group initiates its own agenda, sponsors fund raising and public information activities, and has a voice in how the funds they raise will be distributed to the Centers, the groups are directly responsible to the FOCCUS Board of Directors.
Any individual or group wishing to support the work of FOCCUS may initiate a FOCCUS group in their community in consultation with the FOCCUS Board of Directors.
FOCCUS meets its goal of providing support to the network of Community Centers for Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Development by increasing public awareness and understanding of the Chernobyl disaster and its aftermath through lectures, presentations, publicity, displays at public events and presentations to community organizations.
Individual donors make the greatest contribution to FOCCUS activities. In 2008 the individual donor list numbered over 100. Community groups are the second largest source of support.
