Rodney Harris: Forward Together at the 2025 Gala

At the 2025 Doe Fund Gala, Ready, Willing & Able graduate Rodney Harris brought our theme, Forward Together, to life. As our keynote speaker, Rodney spoke openly about the years he spent moving through the world with his emotions shut down — how he survived hardship, incarceration, and loss by going numb.

Ready, Willing & Able changed that. Even more than helping him find housing and preparing him for the workforce, Rodney credits the program with helping him feel again — a place where structure, dignity, and community helped him rediscover who he could become.

Today, Rodney is a proud graduate, a home health aide, and a mentor to trainees following in his footsteps. His journey is a reminder that no matter what’s in your past, you can build a brighter future when given opportunity, compassion, and a clear path forward.

Watch Rodney share his powerful story below.