Back on My Feet (BoMF) is a national non-profit organization focused on helping homeless people gain independence, living skills, and connect them with essential community resources. The organization's name, and its initial program for members, are focused primarily on physical exercise, specifically early morning runs.
The organization was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States in 2007 and as of March 2016 has chapters in 11 US cities, with a 12th launching in San Francisco, CA in late 2016. Back on My Feet is privately funded and its 2016 operating budget is $6.5 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 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 28â€"57, who were hoping to move their lives forward both physically and spiritually through running.
Program and Impact
Operating in 11 major cities, Back on My Feet uses running and community to motivate and support homeless individuals and encourage independence.
The Back on My Feet program begins with recruitment at homeless and residential facilities in those 11 cities, where the 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 "Next Steps".
In Next Steps, members work 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 our 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.
National Board of Directors
The input and expertise of the Back on My Feet National Board is integral to the success of the organization. National Board Members run with the local teams, share their networks, engage their companies and are advocates for the organization and remain passionate towards transforming lives one mile at a time.
- Board Chairman, Jay Shipowitz, CEO, ACE Cash Express
- Board Vice Chairman, Anne Berkowitch, Co-Founder, Bionic Solutions
- Board Vice Chairman, Larry Solomon, North America Operating Officer (Retired), Accenture
- Secretary, Eric Kraeutler, Partner, Philadelphia Litigation Practice, Morgan Lewis
- Treasurer, Peter Cole, Managing Director, Business Integration The Americas, Marriott
- Chair, Jeff Adams, Managing Director (Retired), Morgan Stanley
- Chair, Patrick Coyne, Global Managing Director, Accenture
- Chair, Dave Guilmette, President of Global Employer and Private Exchanges, Cigna
- Chair, Beth Ann Kaminkow, Global Chief Marketing Officer, Westfield Group
- Chair, Kelly King, Senior Vice President Corporate Business Solutions, AT&T
- Chair, Vince Melchiorre, Senior Vice President, Bimbo Bakeries
- Chair, Dave Sibley, President & CEO Hotel Management Services, White Lodging
- Chair, Brent Wyper, Assurance Partner, Ernst & Young
National and select local partners
As of March 2016, Back on My Feet's national partners include:
- Accenture
- ACE Cash Express
- AT&T
- Bimbo Bakeries USA
- Cigna Corporation
- Ernst & Young
- Marriott International
- Morgan Lewis
- White Lodging
As of March 2016, Back on My Feet's select local partners include:
- Bank of America
- Visa
- Pricewaterhouse Coopers
- Whole Foods
- Wells Fargo
- Home Depot
- UPS
- Coca-Cola
- KPMG
- Runner's World
- Lululemon Athletica
- Asics
References
External links
- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Back-on-My-Feet/107732092609943 Official Facebook
- https://www.youtube.com/user/BackonMyFeetNational Official YouTube
