PENINSULA, Ohio — Robert Ford, founder of nonprofit Forever R Children, has made it his mission to feed the Akron community. But while out on food distributions, he'd repeatedly hear the same request: a place to take a shower.
"Every time we did a food distribution, there's always someone who comes up [and asks], 'Can I just wipe off? Can I just get clean? I haven't taken a shower in three days,'" Ford says. "Then it came up in another part of the city."
When he heard that repeated ask, Ford said he reached out to Metro Regional Transit Authority and shared his idea of creating a mobile hygiene unit. About a year later, Ford now has a Metro bus currently undergoing renovations at Kamper City's garage in Peninsula, transforming it into a hygiene and shower facility on wheels.
Paul Baker, operations manager at Kamper City, says they don't typically take on projects that aren't RVs. However, they knew they wanted to help out given the cause.
"It means a lot," Baker told 3News. "I live in Akron, I see the poverty and the homelessness and the needs that they have. And hopefully there’s more of these buses on the horizon because of that."
While practically gutting the bus and building two full bathrooms inside is no small feat, it's been rewarding work for Chris Lehman, service foreman at Kamper City.
"It's a lot of fun," Lehman said. "Knowing I’m doing something good for the community is great."
Ford adds people will be able to come onboard — free of charge — to take a shower, get some fresh clothes and toiletries, connect with different community and medical resources and services, and even find job and volunteer opportunities.
"I call it a caravan of love," Ford explained. "We love our community, we're out in the community, we're listening to the heartbeat of the community, the pulse of the community, and this is what they asked for. They asked for a shower, but we went one step further — we'll be able to give hot showers, hot meals from a food truck, from a partner, free dental, medical."
According to those involved in the bus project, the entire endeavor has been a team effort. Board member Dr. Fannie L. Brown says the city of Akron, Metro RTA, Access Health, Akron Community Foundation, and Continuum of Care have been providing support, in addition to the First Congregational Church of Akron and The Sanctuary, locations where the bus can park.
Ford says Metro RTA has agreed to help with bus maintenance, and the city of Akron has agreed to provide access to parking and a fire hydrant so the bus can refill its two 150-gallon tanks.
"The greatest impact will be the ability to service individuals who would not normally have the opportunity for traditional hygiene," Brown noted.
"We get to bring something to the community that is going to give people what they need for a fresh start, an opportunity for a new beginning," Porter said. "You get a shower, you receive grooming, a haircut, you get a hot meal, have an opportunity to put in that job application. That, to me, says, 'New beginnings, great opportunities.'"
Right now, Porter tells us the project's immediate need is for funding and community support, so that they can ensure the bus is up and running and has the supplies needed to provide for those they’ll serve.
The board members and Ford understand the impact a shower can have on someone’s life.
"Not having a shower ... you lose your dignity, first of all," Ford stated. "You don't want to get up, you don't want to go out and be around the public if you haven't taken a shower in three days. You don't smell good, or [you think], 'Why should I get up and go do anything?' But I’m hoping by us being able to offer a shower, it makes you want to get up, want to get back to the community, want to help the community grow."
Ford says they'll be sharing updates of where the bus will be on the Forever R Children website. He said he hopes the bus will be able to travel all over Northeast Ohio — from Cleveland to Canton to Barberton and more. He's hoping the bus will be completed in about six more weeks.