Cameron Ford speaking at our meeting.
Cameron Ford came to the Lebanon Rotary Club via the Rotary Club of Nashua, and then the Queen City Club in Manchester. Cameron reflected that he was away from our club for while due to health issues and work demands, but is delighted to be back.
Cameron was born in Concord, NH. At the age of three he moved to Contoocook, NH. He still lives in Contoocook and commutes to work at Headrest in Lebanon.
Cameron is a middle child. He has seven siblings. He had a hard working father (a stone cutter) who taught him the value of work. He remembers asking his father at the age of nine, "How do you get money?" His father replied to get money you have to work. This led him to pick up a snow shovel during a snow storm, and he shoveled a lot of sidewalks and he earned $9.00 that day. "Which was a lot of money for a 9 year old." This made him realize his father was correct.
His father also encouraged him to "Try everything. This will help you decide what you really want to do." We learned that Cameron has tried a lot of things throughout his live.
He went to high school in Hopkinton. He graduated a the age of 17 and enlisted into the military's first infantry. He went to Kansas. When he came home, he worked with heavy equipment, did masonry, had a garage and did vehicle repairs, and was a stone cutter. None of the jobs came with benefits, so he began exploring options that would enable him to have insurance. He got a job working with working the individuals who had developmental disabilities. He then spent time working with juvenile offenders, where he was able to share the importance of doing work you like. He has worked with veterans helping them to find work. He came to Headrest in Lebanon, 41/2 years ago, an organization that has a wonderful history. When he arrived, the annual budget was $750,000 and has grown to $3.5 million.
From the Headrest web page (https://headrest.org/): Founded in 1971, Headrest is a non-profit organization with a mission to assist those affected by substance use disorder, experiencing a crisis, or in need of support by providing effective programs and treatments. We also offer support to the family members, friends, neighbors and employers of our clients.
Cameron shared that he has been in recovery for 32 years, and this has helped him stay focused and working to help others.
Cameron is a father of six and he has 11 grandkids. They are located all across the country. He has been married for nearly 40 years.
When it comes to other interests, as you would expect he has many. He love to ride and restore motorcycles, he has boxing skills, and has coached boxing. He has skills to do plumbing and heating repairs.
Bruce Pacht asked Cameron about his Rotary passion, and he replied, "What we are able to do to give back to others."
Cameron, thank you for sharing your talents with our club.
Here is a copy of Cameron's bio as posted on the Headrest web page (https://headrest.org/):
Cameron Ford
Executive Director
Cameron Ford, Executive Director since 2017, brings 30 plus years of nonprofit experience to our team, serving youth and adults in the criminal justice system, students and adults with disabilities, underserved youth, adults with mental illness, and people with substance use disorders. Prior to joining Headrest, Cameron was Vice President of Business Development for CORE Vocational Services, CEO and founder of Iron Heart Gateways to Success, Executive Director of Granite Pathways and MYTURN Inc. and was Director of Business Development at Work Opportunities Unlimited for 14 years. Cameron’s “off duty” pursuits involve the restoration of antique motorcycles, and, of course testing them out on our beautiful New England highways!