City of Akron chipping in $75,000 to get shower bus rolling for homeless

Derek Kreider, Akron Beacon Journal
·2 min read
The local nonprofit Forever R Children procured an Akron Metro RTA bus to convert into a mobile shower facility to serve the area’s vulnerable and homeless population.
The local nonprofit Forever R Children procured an Akron Metro RTA bus to convert into a mobile shower facility to serve the area’s vulnerable and homeless population.

The city of Akron is giving a boost to a local charity's effort to make a mobile shower facility for people in need.

In an amended version of the capital budget introduced Monday, $75,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money was designated for Akron-based charity Forever R Children's shower bus — a retrofitted Metro bus.

City Council is required to pass the budget by Feb. 15, so it will likely vote on it at Monday's meeting.

Mayor Shammas Malik said that while the amount isn't the full $100,00 that Forever R Children requested, the administration feels it's enough money to get the bus on the street.

"We do want to make sure that we're not setting a precedent in the capital budget for necessarily this to be our grants funding budget," he said, "but at the end of the day, I think we have had such significant discussions as a city about the benefits and merits of this project that it was worth that."

At-large Councilwoman Linda Omobien said she'd like to see Forever R Children become part of the local Continuum of Care, a coalition of organizations providing services to the homeless community. This would make the charity eligible for annual grants.

"We need to start thinking about broadening the service providers in that group because we know the homeless problem is very serious," she said.

What is the shower bus?

Conceived of by Forever R Children's founder Robert Ford, the shower bus is a converted bus, donated by Metro and equipped with several shower stalls. The bus will provide 30 to 35 seven-minute showers per five-hour shift. It will be staffed by three people and supported by three to six volunteers.

Metro CEO Dawn Distler said the transit authority has committed to providing mechanic service for the bus, and Chris Ludle, Akron's public service director, said the city is providing in-kind services, including water and sewer use.

It's part of what Ford calls a "caravan of love" made up of the shower bus and other community partners.

AxessPointe Community Health Centers offered to provide mental and dental health care, The Salvation Army said it would provide hot food. Gino's Pizza on Copley Road is ready to give out pizzas. Two barbers have even agreed to come along.

Contact reporter Derek Kreider at DKreider@Gannett.com or 330-541-9413

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Forever R Children to receive $75,000 in ARPA funds from city of Akron