Though the process is sometimes slow, circular, and frustrating, the staff at FOCUS displays an unwavering conviction in the value of their work and unswerving empathy for the programs clients. Tania Leontov asserts, “The chaos and confusion of the people we work with is really heart-rending. It takes enormous personal strength and determination for them to overcome the issues that they have [. . .] Sometimes, I look at one of these cases and think if I were on the street, even though I’m a really determined person [. . .] I dont know if I could make it, because it’s so hard.” (personal communication, March 22, 2012). The program’s creativity, flexibility, and eagerness to embrace the humanity in all people distinguish FOCUS as a unique answer to one of the nation’s most problematic social problems.
