AKRON, Ohio — Drug addiction is of great concern in cities all over the country, including in communities in Northeast Ohio. Kenny Lambert is one of those people impacted by drugs, but he is beating his addiction every day.

What You Need To Know

  • Just a Dad from Akron is a merchandise company started by Kenny Lambert that's turned into a movement

  • His goal is to help the community that never gave up on him

  • Lambert was an addict who has now been sober for two years

  • Proceeds of his sales goes back to the city

With his tattoos, mohawk, and tall stature, Kenny sticks out in a crowd. He's always donning his own 'Just a Dad from Akron' apparel, and people always stop him to tell him they love what he's doing for their city. People also confide in Kenny because he gets it.

"I was ripping and running the streets, I had the rockstar lifestyle," said Lambert. "I was so low a lot of people didn't want anything to do with me."

He's talking about years ago when he was on his journey of getting sober. Among those who didn't want to be around him included his family.

"I remember whenever I got kicked out, looking into my daughter's crib and I was crying, but no tears were coming out," said Lambert. "I was so numb. I told her I was leaving and going to get help."

After that emotional goodbye, Lambert was homeless for about a month. He leaned on his faith heavily at this time.

"I was literally praying to God to put me in jail," said Lambert.

His prayers were answered when he was arrested.

"I was so relieved," remembered Lambert.

He now reflects on the moments that put him here, sober, and with good people.

Among the people he's now surrounded by is Amelia. The daughter Lambert said goodbye to while she was just a baby lying in her crib. Amelia is almost three years old now and a big fan of her father's.

Lambert's story of sobriety led him to create the company Just a Dad from Akron, which is really more of a movement. He and his team sell merchandise with a percentage of the profit going back to the community. He wants to show that it's never too late to turn things around and show up for the ones you love.

"Now I've built this bond with my daughter because I'm able to be a father," said Kenny.

Just a Dad from Akron has events planned all over the city and always has merchandise for sale. If you would like to get involved click here.