Back on My Feet (non-profit organization)
Formation | July 3, 2007 |
---|---|
Legal status | 501(c)3 Non Profit Organization |
Purpose | Running Community for the Homeless & Underserved Populations |
Headquarters | Philadelphia PA, U.S. |
Region served | Atlanta, GA, Austin, TX, Baltimore, MD , Boston, MA, Chicago, IL , Dallas, TX Indianapolis, IN, Los Angeles, CA, New York City, NY, Philadelphia, PA, Washington, DC |
CEO | Katherine Sherratt |
Website | backonmyfeet.org |
Back on My Feet is an American non-profit organization that promotes the self-sufficiency of classified homeless people and underserved communities by engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem. The organization was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 2007 by Anne Mahlum and as of 2013 has chapters in 11 American cities, with continuing plans for expansion. As of May 2015, Katherine Sherratt serves as Chief Executive Officer overseeing the program, day-to-day operations and strategic direction.
History
Back on My Feet started at 5 A.M. in late June 2007. Every morning, founder and avid runner Anne Mahlum waved hello and ran past a group of homeless men. In a few weeks, Mahlum decided to contact Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission, the homeless shelter where these men were living, and ask Executive Director Richard McMillen if she could invite the men to join her on her runs. He agreed, and the first run took place on Wednesday, July 3, 2007 with a group of nine individuals ages 28–57, who were hoping to move their lives forward both physically and spiritually through running.[1]
Outreach
Back on My Feet is made up of multiple running teams from each of the different chapters, more than 1,700 male and female members, coordinated by several hundred volunteers, as of early 2013. Back on My Feet considers all those who participate in the organization to be a member (both volunteers and those experiencing homelessness). Residential members live in one of the 17 partnered shelters, whereas non-residential members are volunteers.[2]
To participate in the program, prospective residential members must have been sober for at least 30 days and must attend an informational session and sign a commitment form. Over a six-month period, the residential member must maintain 90% attendance at the early morning, 3-4 day-a-week runs. A non-residential team leader tracks each residential member's attendance and mileage. Those experiencing homelessness earn opportunities for incentives, including new running gear and eventually Back on My Feet program staff support in getting their lives together.[2]
After fully participating for six months, and undergoing community-building exercises, social opportunities and three financial literacy seminars, members are eligible to access the partnerships formed by Back on My Feet, which ranges from scholarships for educational advancement and permanent housing assistance to employment opportunities.[2]
Running and races
Back on My Feet teams run varying distances three days per week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) and participate in optional weekend runs. In 2008, as two of the initial races, 33 residential members participated in the Nike+ Human Race, "the largest running event in history"[3] and several teams also participated in the Philadelphia Marathon.[4] These races kicked off Back on My Feet's ongoing support and large attendance rates at races and various events, a tradition that the organization has continued to uphold. Since its inaugural run, Chapters nationwide have participated in the Boston Marathon, Chicago Marathon, LA Marathon and NYC Marathon.[5] Back on My Feet also hosts its own Philadelphia race, The Stroehmann Back on My Feet in24 Race Weekend. Named for the ultimate 5-person relay event around the 8.4-mile Schuylkill River Running Loop in 24 hours, the in24 Race Weekend consists of three separate races and serves as a fundraiser for the organization and raises awareness for homelessness.
On March 31, 2009, Next American City writer Jody Polluck identified Back on My Feet as "part of an international trend of using sport as a means to alleviate urban problems." She notes that the 2006 advisory report of the Commonwealth Advisory Body on Sports (CABOS) – formed to promote “the value of sport as a tool for social and economic development” in the 53 member countries of the British Commonwealth – points to the role sports play in providing health benefits, improving academic attainment, developing leadership skills, and creating community cohesion.[6]
Expansion and inspiration
Encouraged by the success of the organization in Philadelphia, Mahlum and her staff decided to expand the effort to other American cities. A second Back on My Feet chapter was launched in Baltimore, Maryland in March 2009.[7] A third chapter was launched in Washington D.C. in March 2010;[8] a fourth was launched in Boston, Massachusetts in May 2010,[9] and a fifth in Chicago in September 2010.[10] Three further chapters followed in 2011: the Dallas-Fort Worth Area in February,[11] Indianapolis in March,[12] and Atlanta in November,[13] followed by New York City in April 2012,[14] and Austin, Texas in January 2013.[15] In October 2013, Back on My Feet expanded to the West Coast adding their most recent Los Angeles Chapter.
The program's success has caused many individuals and groups from across the United States and beyond to reach out and start similar initiatives. According to the Victoria Times Colonist, Canadian-based running club Every Step Counts found its inspiration in Back on My Feet: "The impetus for Every Step Counts came from Victoria Foundation executive director Sandy Richardson, who'd heard about Philadelphia marathoner Anne Mahlum and the success she'd had starting a homeless running group in that city."[16]
Funding
Back on My Feet has five major funding sources: individuals, foundations, events, corporations and merchandise.[17]
Major events include: The Annual Back on My Feet Bash, held annually, Stroehmann in24 Race Weekend on the Schuylkill River Running Loop, and Back on My Feet "Wear Your Sneakers to Work Day."
Individuals and corporations can contribute through the Individual and Corporate "FundRacing" Campaigns, which enable individuals and corporate teams to race on behalf of Back on My Feet.
Many companies provide aid to Back on My Feet's cause. As of June 23, 2010, the organization's national partners included:
A full, updated list of all the businesses and organizations that provide Back on My Feet with assistance can be obtained on Back on My Feet's official website.
Recognition
- 2008 CNN Hometown Hero Award Finalist: Anne Mahlum.[18]
- 2009 Nike Gamechangers Competition Finalist: Back on My Feet.[19]
- 2009 Women Who Are Changing the World [20]
- 4.3.2009. Back on My Feet and Anne Mahlum Featured on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams 4.3.2009.[21]
- 2010 Profile of Back on My Feet on NBC Today Show[22]
Notes
- ↑ USA Today. "Running program gets homeless residents on track emotionally, physically" http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-07-21-homelessrunners_N.htm
- 1 2 3 "Back on My Feet: Mission & Process". Back on My Feet. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
- ↑ Roe, B. ed. The Day the World Stopped to Run. New York, NY: Melcher Media, 2008. p. 13, 196.
- ↑ Chillag, I. "Running from Trouble." Runner's World, February 2009. Runner's World Media Group, 2009. p. 82, 96.
- ↑ http://blog.backonmyfeet.org/
- ↑ Polluck, J. "Taking it to the Streets." Next American City. 3.31.09. http://americancity.org/daily/entry/1501/
- ↑ Back on My Feet "Baltimore chapter celebrates first anniversary with City Hall run" http://blog.backonmyfeet.org/2010/03/17/baltimore-chapter-celebrates-first-anniversary-with-city-hall-run/
- ↑ Back on My Feet "D.C. chapter launches" http://blog.backonmyfeet.org/2010/03/22/washington-d-c-chapter-launches/
- ↑ http://blog.backonmyfeet.org/2010/05/23/boston-globe-feature-on-boston-chapter-launch/
- ↑ "Chicago chapter inaugural launch morning run video on Sept. 22, 2010". Back on My Feet blog. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
- ↑ "Dallas-Fort Worth Chapter Launch: The Recap". Back on My Feet blog. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
- ↑ "Indianapolis Launch Day Recap!". Back on My Feet blog. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
- ↑ "Back on My Feet Atlanta has Made its Debut!". Back on My Feet blog. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
- ↑ Associated Press (April 14, 2012). "Program in NY offers running start for homeless" (PDF). The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
- ↑ "Back on My Feet Austin Launches January 28". backonmyfeet.org. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
- ↑ Paterson, J. "Homeless find their stride in running club." The Victoria Times Colonist. 4.10.2009. http://www.timescolonist.com/news/Jody+Paterson+Homeless+find+their+stride+running+club/1484146/story.html
- ↑ http://philadelphia.backonmyfeet.org/How-Were-Funded.html
- ↑ 2009 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. CNN.com. http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/living/2008/12/02/heroes.mahlum.speech.cnn
- ↑ Nike Gamechangers: Change the Game for Women in Sport. "Winner's Announced." 2009. http://sportforchange.changemakers.net/en-us/competition/voting/13930
- ↑ http://www.womansday.com/Articles/Family-Lifestyle/Women-Who-Are-Changing-the-World.html
- ↑ MSNBC Interactive News LLC. NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams.http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#30036783
- ↑ http://blog.backonmyfeet.org/2010/05/26/today-show-profile-of-back-on-my-feet/
External links
- http://www.backonmyfeet.org/ Official website
- http://blog.backonmyfeet.org/ Official blog
- http://www.philadelphia.in24race.com/ Stroehmann Back on My Feet in24 Race Weekend
- http://www.schuylkillriver.org/Running.aspx Schuylkill River Running Loop