Issac came to St. Leonard’s and joined BoMF in December 2010 after serving almost 20 years in jail for a gang shooting. Despite his troubled past, Issac’s heart of gold and big smile – not to mention his giant bear hugs – quickly endeared him to his St. Leonard’s team members. With 99 percent attendance and over 275 miles accrued, Issac’s dedication to BoMF has made him a role model for his St. Leonard’s teammates. As one of a select few BoMF members registered to train for the 2011 Chicago Marathon this summer, Issac hopes to complete the race “to show people that you can make a mistake in your life and still enjoy life doing the right thing, and show people that the system do work!”
Outside of running, Issac has also become a leader and role model in his community. In addition to taking classes at Northwestern college for his Associates in Human Resources, Issac volunteers with both Cease Fire and St. Leonard’s to speak with students at high schools and grammar schools about choosing a life free of violence and gangs. He encourages students to stay in school and listen to their teachers, and to avoid the lure of the streets. He is looking forward to sharing that message with his own child when he becomes a father for the first time in July.
Previously honored as the February 2011 St. Leonard’s Residential Member of the Month, Issac is one of only two BoMF Chicago members to be bestowed with Member of the Month honors twice. As he would tell you:
“Back on My Feet has been a great experience for me. It has taught me to believe in myself to do things that my body would not be able to do! The volunteers have been wonderful, and the residents who I run with are the true meaning of family! We are there for one another! I can’t say how much I owe my life to this great organization for helping me to become a better person and giving me the opportunities to grow with this special group of people and this wonderful organization!”
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