Running To Make A Difference

Anne Mahlum, Founder and President of Back on My Feet (BOMF), 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 the 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, Philadelphia Runner and the media, Philadelphia's first Homeless Running Club was well, up and running.

Established in July 2007, Back on My Feet is a strategic and unique program that uses running to teach critical work and life skills -- such as discipline, respect, leadership, and goal-setting -- to homeless individuals living within the City of Philadelphia.

"Running is such a beautiful metaphor for life,” said Anne Mahlum. “Life is about choosing different roads and our program teaches the importance of choosing roads filled with opportunity, hope and happiness.”

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 important basic needs, something is missing. Back on My Feet is a strategic and creative program that uses running to teach important life skills, such as discipline, respect, leadership, and goal-setting.

If running is your passion, share it with someone. There are multitudes of ways you can pass along the gift of running this season. Whether it be by encouraging someone to go for a run with you, by setting up a simple 5K race in your own neighborhood, or possibly by following Anne's example and using running to teach self-respect and hope. Remember, we as runners can make a difference.