Team Focus is a comprehensive community and outreach program founded by Mike and Mickey Gottfried. Mike’s vision and drive for the program is based on his own life experiences.
Gottfried states: “Growing up without a father around and knowing what it feels like, I have a desire to provide a place for young men to come and be encouraged, motivated and challenged.”
The goal of Team Focus has been to provide young men that do not have a father figure in their life (ages 10 – 18) with leadership skills, guidance, Godly values and a continual relationship with a mentor.
Through teamwork with families, teachers and counselors, Team Focus offers support in a relaxed, cost-free atmosphere.
The first Team Focus chapter began in Mobile, AL during the summer of 2001. From 2001 to the present, over 6,000 fatherless young men have been served and the chapters have grown throughout the United States.
Team Focus is a year-round program. Some of the functions of Team Focus include:
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Individual Tutoring and Mentoring Program
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Academic Support
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Newsletters
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Social Activities
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Scholarship Opportunities
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Summer Leadership Camps
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Winter and Spring Mini-Camps
In the summer of 2007, Team Focus was greatly honored to have The First Lady of the United States Mrs. Laura Bush come to Mobile, Alabama to visit Team Focus during the National Camp.
Mrs. Bush watched the Team Focus members during a team work activity, listened to several of the members tell their “story” and was part of a panel discussion with Team Focus members, mothers, mentors and Coach Gottfried.
First Lady Laura Bush addressed nearly 300 fatherless boys. As she spoke to the Team Focus participants, she said: “I hope you will stop the cycle of fatherlessness. If you will be a father to your own children, then they will never have to know what it feels like to be without a father.”
OUR CHAPTERS
Mobile, Alabama
Central Kentucky
Eastern Kentucky
Western Kentucky
Ashland, Ohio
Indianapolis, Indiana