Back on My Feet

I stumbled across this video on Vimeo from Storytellers for Good today. This is such a unique way to approach the homeless situation... beginning with an understanding of how the body's condition affects attitudes. You see, Anne Mahlum is a marathon runner. While jogging past a homeless shelter on her daily route, she was inspired to do something to help these men who always greeted her with a smile and wave. As an avid runner, she knows well the feeling of accomplishment when completing a marathon run. So she started training these homeless men with her athletic skills to build their bodies, then their minds.

Anne founded Back on My Feet, a national nonprofit organization aimed at helping the homeless by give those individuals the opportunity to gain access to educational, job training and employment opportunities. BoMF does not provide food or shelter like many other programs, but tackles the complicated homeless issue by changing the way the homeless see themselves.

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

Check out this video following 3 homeless runners as they take on the Chicago Marathon with the help of Back on My Feet. I think my favorite part of this clip is when Wahid, one of the homeless runners, shares his own running analogy. "I've learned to accomplish my goals by breaking them down in increments just like running."

Back on My Feet from Storytellers For Good on Vimeo.