'Back on My Feet' Celebrates Expansion into the Baltimore Area

Dec 10, 2009 - As the story goes, Anne was living in a "transitional" neighborhood and taking daily runs past a homeless shelter. On these morning runs, she would pass a group of homeless men standing outside who noticed her and a jovial relationship began. One day, Anne challenged those men to run with her, and with a few phone calls, Anne founded Back on My Feet in Philadelphia, PA in July 2007. Two years later the Baltimore Chapter was founded in March 2009. To celebrate the launching and success of the chapter, the First Annual Back on My Feet Bash and fundraising event was held on Thursday December 10, 2009 at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral Street in Baltimore.

All in attendance were smartly dressed in their cocktail attire and of course, sneakers. Participants drank, ate hors d'oeuvres, and danced the night away in support of this worthy cause. Even yours truly got on the dance floor sporting pink and white high-top Reeboks.

The room was filled with BOMF participants, volunteers, board members and other supporters. Among the attendees were board members Kent Krabbe, Executive Director of the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (a corporate sponsor), and Damien O'Doherty, Partner, Kearney O'Doherty Public Affairs LLC. Celebrity guest Jeffery Adam "Duff" Goldman (Chef and Owner of Charm City Cakes) of Food Network's hit show Ace of Cakes, was also in attendance.

Not a single person in the room could deny the strong sense of pride and admiration they felt listening to Back on My Feet founder, Anne Mahlum, as she described the beginnings of a now $1.5 Million dollar enterprise. Anne herself choked up as she recalled how her program began and what she has been able to accomplish.

"I can't believe I did that, I never get emotional like that" Anne said, when congratulated on her accomplishment and her touching speech.

Anne continues to be humble despite her progress, but she has every right to be overwhelmed by her success. In less than a year, results of the Baltimore Chapter's success can be found on the organizations website: http://baltimore.backonmyfeet.org/baltimore-landing.html. The Baltimore Chapter of Back on My Feet operates in 4 residential housing facilities, boasts 67 members and 153 volunteers. 54 members have completed a competitive race, 8 completed a half-marathon, and 5 have completed a full-marathon. And if you're wondering how running helps the homeless; 2 members have obtained housing, 12 secured jobs, and 3 are in job training programs. The BOMF program focuses on changing the attitudes of those involved to help them move their lives in the right direction towards self sufficiency.

"When you look around the room can you tell who's homeless and who's not?" Anne asked during her speech.

This is the true beauty of the BOMF movement. When participants are running together there is no dissemination between volunteers, staff, and the homeless participants; the only thing separating the participants is their finishing times. BOMF members cheer for each other and support one another during races and morning runs regardless of their standing in life.

Now with the Baltimore Chapter under way, the BOMF movement sets its sights on Washington, DC where the next chapter is scheduled to launch in March 2010.

Sources:

http://baltimore.backonmyfeet.org/baltimore-landing.html

Photos courtesy of http://picasaweb.google.com/backonmyfeetphotos/121009BOMFBaltimoreBashBaltimoreMD#

Christopher K. Hepp, "The story behind a group that builds lives through running" The Philadelphia Inquirer.