“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.
Terri and Cathy,
This is a wonderful interview. I love hearing the great things that people do to help others.
Thanks! I really enjoyed reading this!
Hi Betsy,
It is such a great cause and I too was so taken with the organization. Getting up and running three times a week and having your group run with you is quite an undertaking. So wonderful that there are people out there that are reaching out a hand to help others.
Wonderful indeed!
Loved the interview Cathy and Terri. 🙂
It’s always so nice to learn more about how people help one another, and Back on My Feet seems to be like just one of them. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Hi Harleena,
So glad you liked the interview. It is heartwarming to know that people are willing to give to others. It can make such a difference. Thanks for stopping by!
I love the idea of giving people who are struggling tools to feel good about themselves. Self-belief and self-worth are at the heart of all self-improvement. Great interview!
Hi Aimee,
Absolutely! Running can be so helpful to people who are struggling, and can make the difference. Thanks for stopping by.
Love it! I love it when people get empowered and make a difference in the world!!! Inspires me!!
It is wonderful, isn’t it? Thanks for stopping by Liz.
Cathy,
Thanks so much for sharing this. What a great idea. While there are so many ways to help others, no one way works for everyone, so to have a method that is unique and different is terrific – so that those who can respond to it are reached.
Having trained for and run a marathon a few years ago, I certainly see how running can change a life. The discipline and invigoration are so healthy, and the sense of accomplishment no matter how far we run is huge!
Thanks to all….
Hi Leslie,
It is a very unique way of reaching out, but so successful and definitely helping those that need it. I’ve done some runs in the past as well, and it can be so beneficial to so many areas of your life. Take care.
Wow – Back on My Feet seems like an amazing initiative – I love the values that is is allowing people to ascribe to and it is so motivating to be actively engaged in supporting one another. As you said – when they manage to run a mile the feeling of accomplishment will help inspire so much more!
Hi Moira,
So true! It seems like a wonderful organization that is making a difference in many lives. Thanks so much for stopping by! Take care.
What a great organization! I often think the best way to create change is with indirect efforts like this. Just being supportive and offering opportunities for community, healing, positive self regard can go a very long way in creating a better world – one person at a time.
Hi Lorrie,
I agree. This type of support is so needed and just gives someone a boost so that they know they are valued. They can then reach out for so much more. All the best.
Those endorphins you get from exercise are very powerful. What a wonderful organization and such a meaningful, powerful way to help the homeless. Those steps and accomplishments will lead to so many more. Loved the article. Sharing!
Great – thanks for sharing, Sherie! Exercise has so many benefits Although I do love to run, there are so many other sports as well that provide some wonderful confidence building and health benefits. All the best.
Thanks for everyone’s wonderful feedback about our mission at Back on My Feet! About 46% of our Members secure jobs and housing and it all starts with that first step. We are honored to be featured here to help spread the word about the work we do. Encourage you to get involved and make a difference in our Members lives and your own!
Welcome Terri! As you can see your organization has touched the hearts of many readers. Great to know that by helping people to start running, they can then gain the confidence and are then be ready to take advantage of new opportunities. All the best to you and thank you for sharing what Back on My Feet is all about. I hope someday that they come to the San Francisco area. Be well.
I love the thought of earning the benefits through the currency of attitude, commitment, teamwork, respect, and perseverance. So good!
Welcome! I love that as well. There needs to be a commitment and a give and take. I’m sure both parties gain so much from the experience. Take care.
Cathy,
My daughter is a manager for New Balance and she volunteers and runs with this group! So good to see them getting some good press here at your blog.
Oh wow, that is great Tess! It seems like such a worthwhile organization! I love New Balance shoes. I’ve been buying those for years. Wonderful that your daughter is helping out in that way!
I love hearing about people that help other people! It is so motivating… Great post!
Hi Norma,
Thanks for stopping by and glad you enjoyed it!
What a wonderful story. I am not a runner (swimming is my sport) but I understand the lessons learned through dedication to any sport. Beyond the physical health benefits, the boost in confidence from developing such a skill can lead you to great places in life.
Hi Marie,
So true. Swimming is a wonderful sport as well. Two of my children swam through high school and they benefitted from the sport. Confidence building is one of the great outcomes of participating in sports. It does feel good to watch yourself improve and go a little further and maybe a little faster each time. All the best.
Great post. Running is the cheapest of sports and most accessible.
Hi Mark,
So true. You just need a decent pair of shoes and you are good to go. That is one of the things I have loved about running. Thanks for stopping by!
What a great way to build confidence! I had never heard of this group, thanks for bringing it to our attention.
Hi Meryl,
So true. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Love the name and the motivation of ‘Back on My Feet.’ What a wonderful organisation! And running has so benefits not just physically but mentally too.
Thanks you!
Hi Carolyn,
Running does have many benefits, both physical and mental. The discipline for one and just knowing that you can set your own goal and work until you accomplish it. For anyone in recovery who feels able, I highly recommend running. I’m still running and I love it. Take care
What a wonderful heartfelt way to share gifts and wonderment of someone’s passions with others. I always love hearing about people and organizations that put what they’ve learned into something that inspires and builds the lives of other.
Isn’t is great! This organization has touched my heart, and I believe it touches the heart of many others. Many people often just need that one helping hand to get their lives back. Thanks so much for stopping by
What a fantastic organization and powerful interview, Cathy. It totally inspired me to see how it gives others hope and an opportunity to change their lives. Thanks so much for sharing this!
You are welcome Lisa. The organization touched my heart as well! Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for sharing about BOMF. What a wonderful idea of helping those down & out. It is a similar principle of teaching a person to fish instead of just giving them a fish. I love it.
Welcome! Great point Pat. It is so much better to teach people to help themselves. Thanks so much for stopping by!
this is an amazing interview! Thank you for sharing this with us! I love a happy ending and great charities! This is win win!
Hi Elizabeth,
Thank you so much for your kind words. You are right, this is a win win for everyone involved. All the best!
Oh my gosh – what a fantastic program! Thank you for this interview, Cathy and Anne – it’s wonderful to learn about your organization and I’ll definitely help spread the word.
Hi Lisa,
Great – thank you! It does seem like a wonderful organization that everyone can get behind. Take care.
Thanks for spreading the word about this — that sounds like a project that it definitely takes courage to start up, and I get the sense that it can change lives based on what I’ve seen running do for the lives of many people outside the homeless population.
Hi Chris,
Yes, running can make such a difference in lives. When I started running in my 20’s, I loved the individual challenge and the convenience of knowing a run was just outside the door. Thanks for stopping by.
What a great platform for a great cause! Beautiful post!
Thanks Carl! Appreciate you stopping by!
What an awesome way to help people. Confidence is so important, and if you don’t have that it really is hard to find a way forward. Giving people their confidence back can enable them to do anything, including overcome homelessness. Thanks for sharing this Cathy!
Amazing work and community spirit shown here in this organization!