Back on My Feet-Youtube

1,200 people have found housing; 2,300 people have found jobs; 6,000 people have found purpose and transformation – and it’s all because of running.

Back On My Feet is a nonprofit that helps homeless people turn their lives around through jogging, as well as community support and housing resources.

Volunteers operating in 12 major cities recruit participants from homeless residential facilities. Interested individuals sign up for a month-long commitment of showing up three days a week to participate in a group run from 5:30AM to 6:30AM. If the person finishes the commitment with a 90% attendance rate, they go to the second phase of the program which offers educational support, job training programs, employment partnership referrals, and housing resources.

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Since the program’s start in 2007, 80% of participants have successfully moved onto the second phase.

Thanks to Back on My Feet’s transformational experience, over 4,000 members have obtained jobs, homes, and GEDs – and according to the nonprofit’s website, 90% of members have maintained their employment; 60% have received a wage increase; and 20% have achieved a promotion.

“There’s obviously need across America for the work that we do, but we want to grow in an organic way,” says Terence Gerchberg, Executive Director of the Back on My Feet New York City Chapter. “There is no simple solution; it’s like a marathon. You set some goals and you get to a finish line and that’s what we’re doing on a larger scale. People sign up for it because they want to see some kind of transformation. The act of running gives them that feeling of accomplishment.”

“We are revolutionizing the way our society approaches homelessness” CEO Katy Sherratt told the Good News Network. “The simple act of putting one foot in front of the other is the foundation for the rest of our program. Back on My Feet provides practical training and employment resources for achieving independence; an environment that promotes accountability; and a community that offers compassion and hope for our members. All aimed at transforming lives, one mile at a time.”

(WATCH the video below)

 

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