“If we can change the way people see themselves, can we change the direction of their lives?” ~Anne Mahlum
I stumbled upon the organization, Back on My Feet a couple of years ago and mentioned it in one of my first articles, Heading Back to California.
The organization’s purpose touched my heart and I believe it will touch yours as well. Being a runner, I know the benefits that running can bring to your life.
What a gift to introduce running to a homeless person who can use this opportunity to build their confidence and change their life.
First a little background on Back on My Feet:
Back on My Feet (BoMF) is a national non-profit that promotes the self-sufficiency of homeless and underserved populations by engaging participants in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem. Through participation and hard work, Members earn the opportunity to advance to the “Next Steps” phase of the program, where they gain access to education, job training and employment opportunities, as well as financial assistance.
The member benefits of Back on My Feet are not free — they are earned through the currency of attitude, commitment, teamwork, respect, and perseverance. Ultimately, BoMF changes the direction of participants’ lives by changing the way these individuals view themselves and their capabilities.
Without further ado, please welcome Terri Rivera, Executive Director, Back on My Feet, Chicago
1. How did the Back on My Feet Get Started? Where did the idea come from? Where did it start?
Back on My Feet was founded by Anne Mahlum in 2007. Anne’s relationship with running began when she was 16 as a way to deal with her father’s struggle with a gambling addiction. While Anne could never find a way to help her dad, she found her own answers in the life lessons that surround running, such as taking things one step at a time and learning the value of being on difficult roads. Ten years later, Anne’s running led her past a homeless shelter in Philadelphia where she developed a friendly rapport with some of the residents.
One morning, she realized that running could benefit these individuals in the same way that it helped her. Back on My Feet had its first official run on July 3, 2007 and in just a few years, has grown to a $5 million nonprofit that has helped more than 650 individuals experiencing homelessness move from dependency to self-sufficiency.
2. In how many cities is the organization now located?
The organization is now in nine cities–Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Indianapolis, Atlanta, New York City and launching in Austin, TX on January 24, 2013.
3. What are the benefits of running for the homeless or for anyone for that matter?
BoMF does not provide food for the homeless, nor does it provide shelter. While those are very important basic needs that all human beings deserve, we provide a program that teaches people to believe in themselves because it doesn’t matter if you have twenty homes or none; if you don’t have confidence in yourself it’s very difficult to move forward.
We use running as a vehicle to show individuals they are capable of accomplishing anything… but it’s not going to happen overnight – it takes hard work, dedication and perseverance. Running teaches critical work and life skills, such as discipline, leadership, and goal-setting. BoMF focuses heavily on teamwork – when we run, we run as a family and we support, encourage and motivate each other every step of the way. No one ever runs by themselves because life is a lot harder when you go through it alone.
4. How can people get involved?
Each chapter partners up with local homeless facilities and creates a “team.” Teams are comprised of 10-15 residential members living at each facility and experiencing homelessness, as well as non-residential volunteer members from the surrounding community. The teams run together M-W-F and 5:45am anywhere from 1-5 miles.
There are lots of opportunities to get involved and directly impact someone’s life including: running with our morning teams, volunteering at a weekend race water station, serving on the Advisory or Associate Board, teaching a Next Steps financial literacy or job readiness class, sponsoring an event or making a donation and connecting our Members with job opportunities. Go here to learn how to get involved.
5. Why are you involved. What has been the most rewarding thing about participating in Back on My Feet?
I love that Back on My Feet is all about showing someone what’s possible. We ask someone to run one mile. They don’t think they can do it but, with the help of the team, they do it and feel so empowered. It opens up the thought of “what’s else am I capable of?” Although we give encouragement for our Members to run one more mile or pursue that job, they are also continually inspiring me. By getting involved with Back on My Feet, it will not only help change someone’s life but just might change yours too!
Be sure to visit their website to find out more about Back on My Feet. If you don’t have a volunteer project going in your life right now, consider going on a run or helping the organization out in some other way. So often the gifts we receive are so much greater than the what we give. As Terri mentioned your life might change as well.
How has running helped your life? How can it help with addiction or homelessness? Please share your thoughts in comments. Thank you.
