WBEZ91.5, a public radio station based in Chicago, interviewed several new Back on My Feet Chicago members and VP of Expansion and Growth, Sandi Maro, at the Chicago chapter’s inaugural run.
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Nearly 150 people, including 3o inaugural Chicago chapter members kicked off Wednesday the newest Back on My Feet chapter and its regular three-times-weekly 5:45 a.m. morning runs.
Herder spoke about first being diagnosed with a mood disorder and addiction issues in September 2008, then first joining Back on My Feet’s Ridge Shelter team in Philadelphia. He then spoke about the big picture of the Back on My Feet program and finally addressed how it helped him.
Back on My Feet Chicago, the fifth chapter of the nonprofit organization that promotes the self-sufficiency of homeless populations by engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem, launched this morning.
“We couldn’t have asked for a warmer welcome from our volunteer runners, business partners and many supporters – all who have anxiously anticipated our launch,” said Sandi Maro, vice president of Growth and Expansion for Back on My Feet. “Thousands of individuals in Chicago are experiencing homelessness, so we are excited to officially kick-off our efforts to fight homelessness in the Windy City.”
Photos and video of both events will be shared as soon as they go live!
It’s the start of a long adventure for our members, who will look to move forward in our 6-9 month program toward self-sufficiency.
Recently, our Vice President of Programming Wylie Belasik spoke to a few of the new members, those from Team Rest, about what they hope to gain from the program. Watch those first thoughts below.
Thirty people experiencing homelessness — 28 men and two women — from three different Chicago homeless facilities were fitted this morning for new sneakers and running gear by Universal Sole.
Ramiro Rodriguez spent 13 years in prison for shooting a truck driver in the chest during a road-rage incident on a highway and then opening fire on police who gave chase.
Behind bars, Rodriguez passed the time jogging — sometimes as much as two miles at a stretch around the prison track.
“It kept me from snapping out,” Rodriguez, 35, explained last week. “In prison, it’s really easy to be angry at a lot of things. It kept my mind at peace.”
Two months after his release, the Humboldt Park man is running again.
Rodriguez is one of 30 people living in Chicago area homeless shelters or transitional housing locations who’ll take part in a program that helps put wayward lives back on track with a pair of running shoes and a commitment. The program’s inaugural run, starting from YMCA-Lawson House, 30 W. Chicago, is Wednesday. MORE
Two weeks from today, Back on My Feet will launch in the Windy City. We’re excited to share news about a number of upcoming events and opportunities for those interested in helping build the organization in Chicago.
Details on volunteering, an informational meet up, our inaugural run and launch breakfast are all being finalized.
Back on My Feet Chicago, the fifth chapter of the nonprofit organization that promotes the self-sufficiency of homeless populations by engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem, launched this morning.
