Back On My Feet
Mission Statement: Back on My Feet is a non-profit organization that promotes the self-sufficiency of the homeless population by engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem.
Philosophy: Back on My Feet does not provide food nor does it provide shelter, but instead provides a community that embraces equality, respect, discipline, teamwork and leadership. There are no labels, no stigmas and no stereotypes. At Back on My Feet, all members - regardless of race, education or socioeconomic status - join together to move their own lives forward as well as the lives of their teammates. Back on My Feet is much more than just running - it is a comprehensive program that offers connections to job training, educational scholarships and housing assistance. The benefits of Back on My Feet are earned through the currency of attitude, commitment, teamwork, respect, dedication and leadership.
Our Vision - Back on My Feet envisions a community where all members have the support and motivation required to move towards self –sufficiency. Every major city has a homeless problem and while providing food and shelter are very important basic needs, something is missing. We work to rebuild, revive and re-energize individuals. It is only when we have self-respect, self-confidence that we are truly able to move forward. Back on My Feet focuses on helping our members find a road of happiness, hope and opportunity, which includes a stable job and a place to live. This is our goal and we will get there one step at a time.
Description:
Back on My Feet does not provide food nor does it provide shelter, but instead provides a community that embraces equality, respect, discipline, teamwork and leadership. There are no labels, no stigmas and no stereotypes. At Back on My Feet, all members – regardless of race, education or socioeconomic status – join together to move their own lives forward as well as the lives of their teammates.
BOMF's Strategy
Back on My Feet teaches critical work and life skills, such as discipline, leadership, and goal-setting that helps lead our members toward a road filled with hope, happiness, opportunity and prosperity. The organization’s comprehensive program includes connections to BOMF’s job training and workforce development partners and offers assistance with education and housing expenses. The benefits of Back on My Feet are not free – they earned through the currency of attitude, commitment, teamwork, respect and perseverance.
How Does Running Help the Homeless Situation?
To solve any problem you have to get at its core. We have all been on rocky roads in life and some people have unfortunately found themselves on a road without a home. While food & shelter 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 20 homes or 0 homes; 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. 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.
History:
How it All Began:
Anne Mahlum, Founder and President, would pass by a homeless shelter every morning on her daily run and began to develop a rapport with the men outside on the corner. What started out as waves and smiles from a distance became more intimate as they developed a comfort level with one another. And one morning a simple idea stopped her in her tracks....
With a call to the shelter and the astounding support from the community and the media, Philadelphia's first Homeless Running Club was well, up and running. The first run took place on Tuesday, July 3rd at 6 am...and now 15 months later, we are operating in five different shelters. It's pretty amazing.
Running is such a beautiful metaphor for life,” said Anne Mahlum, Founder and President of Back on My Feet. “Life is about choosing different roads and our program teaches the importance of choosing roads filled with opportunity, hope and happiness.”
Contact person: Jeanne Bayers, Director, Community Outreach, (phone), (email)
Address:
Web Site: http://www.backonmyfeet.org
| Last updated on August 24, 2009 |
