Welcome to Back on My Feet Chicago!

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Donate to the Chicago Chapter, Chicago Media Coverage, Chicago Staff, Chicago Advisory Board, Press Kit

Founded by Anne Mahlum in 2007, Back on My Feet (BoMF) is a national nonprofit organization that is dedicated to creating independence and self-sufficiency within the homeless and other underserved populations by first engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem. The organization does not provide food, nor does it provide shelter, but instead provides a community that embraces equality, respect, discipline, teamwork and leadership. Back on My Feet’s approach focuses on the very profound and innate desire for all of us – regardless of age, race, socio-economic status – to feel recognized, appreciated, valued and important. Through dedication and hard work, Members earn the opportunity to create a new road for themselves by advancing to the “Next Steps” phase of the program where they gain access to educational, job training and employment opportunities, as well as financial aid. In short, BoMF focuses on changing the direction of people’s lives by changing the way they see themselves.

The organization has had incredible results with 75 percent of Members consistently maintaining 90 percent attendance at morning runs. Fifty percent of Members successfully move from dependency to an independent lifestyle. Learn more about our program results.

Back on My Feet is extremely collaborative with homeless service agencies as well as running and corporate communities. BoMF is grateful for support from so many individuals, races, foundations and corporations – including Marriott International, Accenture, Bimbo Bakeries USA, AT&T, White Lodging, Comcast, John Hancock, Morgan Lewis & Bockius, LLP – all of which contribute to the diverse funding that supports our organization’s 2012 $4.8M operating budget.

Back on My Feet has chapters in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Indianapolis and Atlanta. The organization will launch in New York City in April and plans to expand to the West Coast in 2013. Back on My Feet has received incredible media support, including attention from NBC Nightly News , ABC World News, CNN, and The Today Show for its ingenuity in tackling this difficult social issue.