Recognizing Dorothy Ford's Service to the City of Ypsilanti

Floor Speech

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Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mrs. Dorothy Ford, a resident of Ypsilanti, Michigan and the Director of Greater Faith Mission and Greater Faith Transition. Her service to the people of her community is worthy of commendation.

Dorothy started dating her husband, Pastor Robert L. Ford, when they were 15 and 16. A few years later, 55 years ago this October, they were married. Together their legacy includes 6 children, 23 grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren. In 1981, Dorothy founded the Greater Faith Mission, a non-profit helping with food insecurity in the region. 42 years later Greater Faith Mission is still going strong, with many partnerships in the region to help get food in the hands of families and seniors that need it the most.

After several years of running the food pantry, Dorothy and Robert had a calling to start a church of their own. They began with eight couples and their children, holding services in the Fords' home. By the end of 1988 the church moved into a small building on Ecorse Road. As the church grew and evolved, so did the charitable programs it offered, although some kind of food ministry was always central to the mission. Dorothy was ordained and became a licensed Minister in 2009. In 2014, they purchased the old Kaiser Elementary school building and moved into their current home.

Today, Greater Faith Transition Center offers Sunday school and a Sunday service, preceded by a free breakfast. A special women's group meets monthly. The church has partnered with Food Gatherers since 1989 and offers a free food distribution event the first and fourth Tuesday of each month, as well as a five-week summer dinner program. The church also utilizes its large, commercial-grade kitchen, built just a few years before the school closed, to prepare a huge, free Thanksgiving dinner for the community every year.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating Dorothy Ford for the tremendous contributions she has made to Ypsilanti, Michigan and all of its residents. With her actions, Ypsilanti has become kinder, more welcoming, and more generous to those in need. We thank her for her service and are excited to see how she transforms the city with her future endeavors.

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