Mobile, Alabama

In Mobile, Mike and Mickey Gottfried have been providing support for young men without father figures through their community outreach program, Team Focus.

A former major college football coach at the University of Kansas and University of Pittsburgh, Mr. Gottfried also worked as a college football analyst for ESPN. Now, he’s dedicated to having a positive impact on youth who need adult role models.

In conjunction with families, teachers, and counselors, Team Focus works to equip boys ages 10-18 with leadership skills, guidance, godly values, and a continuing relationship with a mentor.

Mr. and Mrs. Gottfried launched the first Camp Focus in Mobile, Alabama during the summer of 2000. The program continued to grow, and since 2004, Team Focus has hosted between four and seven leadership camps per summer across the country in Texas, Alabama, Ohio, Tennessee, Michigan, California, and Washington, D.C.

The summer programs focus on inspirational, community, social, and academic guidance. During the school year, Team Focus staff follows up with activities so that members can develop lifelong friendships and participate in new and different life experiences.

In 2006, the organization held its first Team Focus United Rally. More than 600 Team Focus members from 28 different states attended the four-day leadership rally.

The following year, First Lady Laura Bush visited Team Focus during the national camp, where she served as part of a panel discussion with Team Focus campers, their mothers, other mentors, and Coach Mike Gottfried.

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