Back on My Feet (BoMF) is a national
non-profit organization
A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...
focused on helping homeless people gain independence, living skills, and connect them with essential community resources, ultimately leading them to sustainable employment and stable housing. The organization's program is focused primarily on physical exercise, specifically early morning runs.
The organization was founded in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Since ...
,
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country Continental United States, primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 U.S. state, states, a Washington, D.C., ...
in 2007 and as of October 2023 has chapters in 16 US cities. Back on My Feet is privately funded and its 2019 operating budget is $7.5 million.
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
Homeless shelters are a type of homeless service agency which provide temporary residence for homeless individuals and families. Shelters exist to provide residents with safety and protection from exposure to the weather while simultaneously r ...
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.
[USA Today. "Running program gets homeless residents on track emotionally, physically" https://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-07-21-homelessrunners_N.htm]
Program and impact
Operating in 16 major cities, Back on My Feet uses
running
Running is a method of terrestrial locomotion allowing humans and other animals to move rapidly on foot. Running is a type of gait characterized by an aerial phase in which all feet are above the ground (though there are exceptions). This i ...
and
community
A community is a social unit (a group of living things) with commonality such as place, norms, religion, values, customs, or identity. Communities may share a sense of place situated in a given geographical area (e.g. a country, village, t ...
along with essential housing and workforce development resources to help individuals currently experiencing homelessness obtain sustainable employment and stable housing.
The Back on My Feet program begins with recruitment at transitional homeless and residential facilities as well as addiction and treatment facilities in those 16 cities across the US. Participants in the program (referred to as "members") commit to run 3 times a week, early in the morning. Following 30 days, if a member has achieved 90% attendance, they move on to the organization's Next Steps program.
In Next Steps, members work one-on-one with BoMF program staff to develop a personal road map to independence. Each member attends financial literacy classes and job skills training provided through partnerships with its corporate partners. Members can earn financial assistance to remove barriers to employment and housing such as work supplies, transportation and security deposits. Members who achieve employment and housing become alumni members. Within six months of becoming a Back on My Feet alumnus, 90% of members maintain their employment, 60% receive a wage increase and 20% achieve a promotion.
References
External links
Official Facebook page
{{DEFAULTSORT:Back on My Feet (non-profit organization)
Homelessness in the United States
Non-profit organizations based in Philadelphia
Running in the United States