Paying It Forward

Ronnie Forbes lives in Livermore, CA in subsidized permanent housing provided by the Veterans Administration. He works as the Executive Director of One Nation Dreammakers, a nonprofit organization located in Alameda County that prepares and delivers healthy food to people in need. He is passionate about the work he does. His life is stable now but nine years ago that was not the case.

Ronnie served in the Army for three years in the early 1980’s and upon being discharged he suffered from PTSD, which led him to leave his family and live on the streets. He was unhoused and was in and out of jail multiple times when he got connected to EOCP.

In 2016, Ronnie sought services at EOCP because he was tired of going through the same cycle of being in jail and living on the streets. He worked closely with his Case Manager, Sonya Perry, who got Ronnie connected with counseling and medication to cope with his PTSD.

Motivated by his experience of homelessness, Ronnie is paying it forward through his work at One Nation Dreammakers by alleviating food insecurity throughout Alameda County.