Ford Desired Real Estate, Inc. is moving its main office to a spacious, state-of-the-art building on Division Street. In celebration, they’re holding a Back-to-School Health & Resource Fair and ribbon cutting ceremony this Saturday.
The event will be held in the parking lot of Trinity Baptist Church (located across the street from the new Ford office location at 5714 W. Division) on Aug. 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Children in attendance will find free school supplies, gospel music performed by the Trinity Church choir, food, and on-site medical screenings, sponsored by Circle Family Care.
Several area politicians are expected to be in attendance, including Congressman Danny K. Davis, 37th Ward Alderman Emma Mitts, state representatives Calvin Giles and Deborah Graham and State Senator Kimberly Lightford.
La’Shawn K. Ford, owner and broker, opened Ford Desired Real Estate’s first office in 2001 at 5104 W. Chicago. Since its inaugural opening, the company has grown, allowing Ford to set up branch offices in Oak Park (6429 W. North Ave.), North Lawndale (3346 W. 16th St.) and Cicero (321 N. Cicero).
“It was Mr. Ford’s idea to center the grand opening of the office on a back-to-school theme,” said Deborah Williams, Ford’s administrative assistant. “He worked as a history teacher before venturing into real estate as a profession.”
“He has an enormous interest in the plight of children, and so when it came time to prepare the gala commemorating the opening of our new office, he really wanted to do something that acknowledged the area children,” said Williams.
Among the organizations that are serving as sponsors for the event: Austin Chamber of Commerce, Allstate Insurance, North Ave. Foods & Cub Foods, and Shorebank.
Williams said they expect close to 500 children to attend the event, which is open to all area residents.
The company hopes relocation to Division Street hopefully will have a positive impact on not only property ownership in the community but also an upsurge in business opportunities for small and expanding carriers of consumer goods as well.
