PENINSULA, Ohio — This coming Thursday, nonprofit Forever R Children will host a ribbon cutting ceremony for its shower bus, a project months in the making. The renovated bus, donated from the Akron Metropolitan Regional Transit Authority, will travel throughout Summit County providing free showers to those in need from its two onboard bathrooms.
The project was the idea of nonprofit Forever R Children founder Robert Ford, who experienced homelessness as a young man. Now, he’s dedicated to giving back to the community, creating what he calls a "caravan of love."
"While out in the community giving out food, I came across families who were actually sleeping in their cars," Ford said. "So that's where it was born at, to somehow bring the showers to them."
Ford says he then reached out to the Akron Metro RTA, which donated a bus. Last fall, the renovations began at Kamper City, led by service foreman Christopher Lehman. Lehman renovated the bus, equipping it with storage space and two full bathrooms, each with a sink, toilet, and shower.
"The bus has a 300-gallon tank on it, which we can fill at fire hydrants across the city or county," Ford said, explaining that preliminarily, the bus will serve the Summit County community on the road twice a week to provide about 24 free showers per day.
Previous coverage:
However, the bus — which will hit the streets on June 17 — will be offering more than just showers. Guests can also access clean clothing, food, and connections to other resources, according to Ford.
"People will be able to shower," said Dr. Fannie Brown, treasurer for Forever R Children. "They will be able to have additional services, haircuts, mental health services. They'll also be passing out food."
The bus has garnered the support of the city of Akron as well as Summit County and additional community organizations, according to Forever R Children boardmember Lori Porter, who says the renovations cost about $98,000. Porter added that the city will help with storing the bus in the winter months, as well as with providing access to gasoline and water.
"It's a place where the unhoused population or anyone who needed water could go to take a shower," she said. "We're really looking to provide a service to people who otherwise would not be able to take care of their personal hygiene."
Porter tells us they are still looking for donations to ensure they can keep the bus up and running, and hopefully expand its service frequency and range. Ford emphasized the impact a simple shower can make on someone’s life, noting the challenges those who don’t have access to a shower can face in employment and self worth.
"Give them a sense of pride, getting their dignity back," Ford said of the intent of the bus. "Just give them hope once again."
In order to find where the bus is located when it launches on June 17, Ford mentioned that Forever R Children will be sharing information on social media. Additionally, he says Thomas Limousine Worldwide Transportation will be driving a billboard truck around prior to when the bus goes out with information on where it will be.