Robert Ford Jr., United Steelworkers Local 2L member in Akron, Ohio, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss how the union has made a difference in his life and how he’s used those benefits to give back to the local community with Forever R Children.
Ford grew up a star athlete in Akron, earning a Division 1 scholarship to run track in college, but life had other plans. He discussed how his health failed him in college, leading to him going back to Akron and eventually becoming homeless. That was when he found work with Goodyear and joined Steelworkers Local 2L. He was able to begin his life in the union where he’s been for the past 25 years. Ford talked about how his union benefits have helped turn his life around and put him into a position he never expected.
In 2018, while attending a local high school football game, Ford became aware of several children's struggles in the area. He talked about seeing children without jackets in sub-40-degree weather, players on the football field with no cleats and others with holes in their shoes. After speaking with the coach and meeting with the school’s principal, Ford said that he learned how difficult everyday life was for several students and vowed to change that in any way he could. He talked about his initial efforts to improve students' daily lives, from donating food to buying socks and other clothing items that they needed.
This led to Ford creating Forever R Children, a non-profit organization that provides food, clothing and even vehicles for veterans and families in Summit County, Ohio. He talked about the organization's early days and how it has evolved in recent years. Beginning with a soft launch on July 17, and an official grand opening a week later, the organization will begin offering showers with Shower Bus. Ford said that the Shower Bus would be joined by several other traveling service vehicles, known as the Caravan of Love. The hope is community members in need will be able to get all the assistance they need from the caravan. Thanks to the support of his union Brothers and Sisters and his union benefits, he was given the ability to help his community.
Listen to the show above to hear more about Forever R Children