The REST team welcomed a new residential member, Isaiah, to the team.

Dennis, Charles, and Greg ran the Path to Progress 5k. Isaiah and Edwin volunteered at the race’s aid station. Despite the chilly, windy morning, the team had a great time

On yet another cold Chicago evening, the John and Greg of the REST team joined the rest of the BoMF Chicago teams to volunteer at the JP Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge. BoMF members were treated to pizza before they braved the cold to man the aid stations!

Residential member: John Silvasi

Since joining Back on My Feet Chicago only three short months ago, John has not only become a runner, but he has also shown successes in other areas! The team continues to be impressed with his athleticism and intelligence and, likewise, he has benefited from many aspects of Back on My Feet. As John can best tell you:

“Back on My Feet has been beneficial to me in a number of ways. This program has provided me with all the running gear I need, as well as a structural, positive environment with which to get back in shape. They have helped me with my resume as well as interview skill sharpening. All of the members have been very supportive and the leaders have gone out of their way to be kind, generous, and supportive in every way. In particular, the Debbie and Jim team have taught me the nuances of running most efficiently. Our recently departed leader Julie was always a joy to be around as well. She, I’m sure, is providing great leadership skills with her new team and is missed a lot. I think that Debbie will be an outstanding leader as well. As a direct result of Back on My Feet, I am more confident, more hopeful about my future, and generally feel better physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It has and continues to be a wonderfully positive experience for me and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in getting in better shape and/or meeting interesting, fun people.”

Non-residential member: Josh Hoover

As one of the founding non-residential members of the REST Back on My Feet team, Josh’s enthusiasm, kindness, and dedication helped shape the team into what it is today! Although Josh recently moved out of state due to work, the REST team wants to honor him and all the time and effort he contributed! As Josh can tell you:

“It is inspirational to wake up and be greeted by a team of passionate people challenging themselves and embracing a motivated way of life. There are opportunities in everything to make a difference – even in running – thank you BoMF!”

On June 23rd and 24th, Back on My Feet Chicago held their first Financial Literacy Courses in conjunction with Bank of America and Money Management International. BoA and MMI flew in representatives to teach the courses to BoMF members. Members took part in four hours of coursework each day focused on banking basics and credit counseling. The classes were enthusiastic and interactive, with many excellent questions and a lot of learning! The pilot curriculum will now be reviewed and revised before being rolled out and integrated into BoMF’s monthly Next Steps programming for residential members. View more pictures from the event here.

Saturday, June 18^th was a beautiful morning for a great run and a little community service. Back On My Feet DC met up with the DC Trash Runners at 9am in Union Station to clean up their communities’ streets. During the quick 5k, the group ran the length of H Street NE picking up trash while feeding off the positive team energy and sunshine.

BoMF Team Members, Volunteers, & the DC Trash Runners

In attendance was a large showing from teams Clean and Sober Streets, Emery House, and the DC Trash Runners including Thornell M., David C., George J., Shon K., Drew W., Tiffany, Kent, Rob Brown, Chris G., and Donna Childress.

The members and volunteers enjoyed giving back to their community while getting in their morning workout. All in all it was a fantastic start to the weekend.  We are looking forward to the next event with the DC Trash Runners.

On July 1, 2011, Back on My Feet will be celebrating our 4^th birthday! In honor of this occasion, we have partnered with Krispy Kreme. As part of the celebration, they will be giving us a doughnut birthday cake and offering a $2 donation to BoMF with every purchase of a dozen glazed doughnuts!

This offer is valid at the Center City Krispy Kreme, which is located at 16^th & Chestnut St. Hurry, this voucher expires on July 8, 2011. Head over to Krispy Kreme today and redeem your voucher.

Runners of all abilities from almost every state in the nation will be lining up on the starting line with some of the very best runners from around the world for the SOLD OUT 14th annual TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K on August 6 and Back on My Feet has YOUR chance to be a part of the excitement!

The 6.2-mile run, starting at Crescent Beach and ending at Portland Head Light, the nation’s first commissioned lighthouse, attracted over 6,000 runners, along with over 10,000 spectators, to the Maine coast last summer, making it the largest road race ever in the Pine Tree State.

Scotty W. of Emery House sharing his story at the latest Orientation 2.0

Orientation 2.0 was held on the evening of Tuesday, June 21, at the Renaissance Hotel in Mount Vernon Square. The goal of this seminar was to facilitate an in-depth discussion on homelessness to help our volunteers better understand its deeper implications—including drug and alcohol abuse, psychological factors, and relentless setbacks. This event was highly educational due to three exceptional speakers; homeless advocate Eric Sheptock, BoMF member Scotty W., and Hilary Espinosa, Senior Case Manager for Miriam’s Kitchen.

Eric Sheptock, the self-proclaimed “homeless homeless advocate” spoke about his use of social media to advocate and provide a voice for the homeless. Although Eric has been homeless for over 15 years, his relentless use of social media has brought world-wide attention and a sense of urgency to the issues surrounding homelessness. His story exemplified how much can be accomplished with persistence and motivation.

Scotty W., a residential member of Emery House, shared his personal story at the event, in an extremely honest and genuine speech. After a tumultuous past, Scotty found Back on My Feet in April of 2010, and has maintained a 100% attendance rate ever since, racking up nearly 450 miles. Scotty discussed his personal struggle with the adjustment from incarceration back into society, stating;

“Doing the right thing is hard. I’m used to doing the wrong thing. But Back on My Feet has positive people that give me guidance”.

Hilary Espinosa, Senior Case Manager for Miriam’s Kitchen, spoke regarding the deeper implications of homelessness, and how Miriam’s Kitchen helps their guests overcome recurring barriers. Miriam’s Kitchen provides over 300 men and women daily with organic, homemade, and nutritious meals. Miriam’s Kitchen couples this meal service with case management services to any guest that wants it in order to wholly serve every man and woman. Miriam’s Kitchen, just like Back on My Feet, aims to build the self-sufficiency of those experiencing homelessness, and it was a pleasure to hear Hilary speak.

Orientation 2.0 was a very successful event for Back on My Feet Washington, DC. If you were unable to attend or would like to attend the next Orientation 2.0, please contact Gretchen Gates, Program Director, for more information, at gretchen@backonmyfeet.org

As our excitement grows to add a third facility to the Indianapolis chapter, we are kicking off the 180 Challenge to all of our Volunteers and Non-Resident Members, for the month of July!

July is all about fireworks, Red, White & Blue, hot dogs & apple pie and most of all INDEPENDENCE!

As we continue to help our members move toward independence, we are hoping that our Volunteers and Non-Resident members will join us for this challenge!

Did you know the cost to put a resident member through our entire program is $1800?

The 180 Challenge is a simple campaign in which we ask each supporter to raise $180….one-tenth of what it takes to put an individual through the BoMF program. All you have to do is reach out to nine friends to donate $20. You can have fun with the campaign by using Facebook, Twitter, email or even snail mail to reach out to those those who may want to support your endeavors in raising funds for the BoMF program!

The deadline for this campaign is July 25- BoMF staff will set up a fundraising page for you and if you are a Non Resident member or Volunteer that has raised $180, you will then be invited to The 180 Challenge appreciation event where you can expect to see FIREWORKS!

It’s as easy as apple pie! Won’t you join us?!

Contact Lindsey Hein to get your fundraising page set up for you today! Feel free to track our progress on the Campaign page!

As always—we thank you for your continued support!  WE LOVE OUR VOLUNTEERS!

Do you want to run in the 2011 ING New York City Marathon? Now is your chance! Back on My Feet will reserve you a spot when you sign up to FundRace on behalf of the BoMF members! The ING NYC Marathon is one of the world’s most highly anticipated races, with many runners competing for causes they believe in. Last year’s participants raised over $100,000 to help more than 50 BoMF members! Secure your spot today – there are fewer than 5 left! You will be guaranteed entry into the Marathon by registering with us today and agreeing to raise a minimum of $3,600 by Wednesday, November 2^nd. Contact Rob Nonemacker at rob@backonmyfeet.org or 215-772-1080 for more information and to make your impact as a FundRacer!

Running a marathon on behalf of Back on My Feet is a great way to have fun while making strides for a good cause!

On Friday, June 17th, eleven Back on My Feet residential members across all four Chicago teams looked sharp as they donned their business attire to attend Accenture’s newest Skills to Succeed event, Professional Image and Behavior in the Workplace. Chicago was the first city to preview this pilot curriculum and it was extremely well-received. The two hour seminar, split into two sections on professional appearance and professional behavior, was very interactive and included role-playing activities. Back on My Feet Chicago would like to thank Accenture for piloting this event with the Chicago chapter!

CSS Alumni David W. at the United Way Day of Action 2011. Photo courtesy of Brian Cox, United Way

At the crack of dawn on Tuesday, June 21, team members of Back on My Feet Washington, DC volunteered with the United Way to give back to local school children. Along with hundreds of other DC volunteers, they worked all morning assembling summer reading kits for low-income DC-area school children. This event, sponsored by Target, will bring books and reading supplies to 50,000 DC children in grades K-6 to encourage reading during the summer months. Way to go, BoMF DC!