Nicholas Chakos, the executive director of FOCUS North America, visited the Assumption of the Holy Virgin Orthodox Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 19.  There he met with the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania’s Diocesan Council. 
The Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania and FOCUS look to coordinate and develop action-oriented and sustainable solutions to poverty in the Philadelphia region.
The Assumption of the Holy Virgin Orthodox Church, which just recently celebrated its 100^th anniversary, sits at the intersection of one of the more distressed neighborhoods in Philadelphia where both the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania and FOCUS might coordinate their efforts.  “I am grateful to both the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania and Nicholas for recognizing the great potential to express Christ’s love to our neighbors in Philadelphia,” stated the Assumption of the Holy Virgin’s acting-rector, Fr. Matthew Cantrell.
“FOCUS aims to integrate our services in neighborhoods where there is a strong connection between church and community,” Nicholas shared. “ This parish, as so many other parish located in urban America communities, is in a prime position to reach out to the larger neighborhood to provide vital service  and to do so with a strong Orthodox ethos.”
The Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania looks forward to supporting FOCUS North America.  The Diocese presented Nicholas with a $2,000.00 donation for FOCUS and thanked him for their good work on behalf of the Orthodox in North America.