November was another busy and quick month for our St. Leonard’s team. As the cold weather creeps in, we continue to work hard toward meeting our goals together!
This month we welcomed two new members to our team, Robert and Charles. Both of these gentlemen have literally hit the ground running! From day one, they were quickly eager to run the longer mileage options. We are so excited to see what the future holds for these two!
Also this month, two of our very active members, Kate and Shelley, took on the Team Coach role. Their enthusiasm and passion for running and the team has been a great addition to the St. Leonard’s core team.
On November 12th our residential and non-residential members packed up and met the other Chicago Back on My Feet teams for a 5k run and Thanksgiving feast! The weather was beautiful and everyone had a great time. All of our bellies were full from the huge buffet filled with a great variety of foods and especially desserts. It was a great opportunity for some of our new members to meet the other teams and to run a timed 5k. We were all so thankful for the time to spend together and all of the laughter!
While the running has been fun (despite the steadily dropping temperatures), November has also been a very busy month for our members outside of our training. Many of our members have been on the job search daily and using every avenue possible to find work. Back on my Feet has been assisting them with transportation, interview skills, and other various supports through this process. This month both Wade and Osie secured employment and many other team members have temporary work positions. We are hoping that the holiday season will find all of our team members with permanent, steady work! Also, Wade moved into his own apartment at St. Andrew’s court and is thrilled with his new location.
Also this month we were so proud of our team member Jorge for sharing his story of addiction and recovery with those who attended the Back on My Feet Orientation 2.0. We know that so many others can benefit from his story and his willingness to share that story with others.
The St. Leonard’s team has bundled up and buckled down in November as we prepare for our January half marathon. We are unwilling to let the freezing temperatures keep us from meeting our goals. What a fun and exciting team to be a part of! So during this time of Thanksgiving we continue to be thankful for one another and for Back on My Feet!
Residential Member of the Month: Donald
Ever since his first day on the St. Leonard’s Back on My Feet team, Donald has been one of the team’s strongest and fastest runners! Just one month after joining the team, Donald ran the Champion’s Run 10k in a speedy 45:44, finishing first out of all the Back on My Feet residential members. Recently, Donald began training for Back on My Feet’s half marathon in January. In addition to participating with Back on My Feet, Donald continues to take classes through St. Leonard’s and apply to employment positions. Donald can tell you how Back on My Feet has played a positive role in his life:
“Back on My Feet has been nothing but beneficial to me. They helped me find a job by buying me a suit. They’ve also helped me adjust to the Chicago area through all the connections I’ve made. In general, Back on My Feet has helped me adjust to society and my new home. I’m happy that I joined!”
Non-Residential Member of the Month: Bess
Previously a Back on My Feet Philly volunteer, Bess made the move to Chicago and was able to join the Back on My Feet Chicago team! She has been an invaluable addition to the St. Leonard’s team, helping out at the Back on My Feet Birthday Bash and Saturday morning long runs. Bess can tell you how the Back on My Feet St. Leonard’s team has helped her conquer her new city and try new things:
“I have been involved with Back on My Feet since 2008, when I joined a local team in Philadelphia. When I got a new job in Chicago, I immediately started looking up teams. I joined St. Leonard’s in September and they were immediately welcoming. It has been great to get to know the St. Leonard’s residents and get to know my new city through their eyes. Somehow they have convinced me to run a half marathon on the lakefront in January – if I make it through that I know I’ll make it through anything!”
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