Back on My Feet Encourages All to Combat Homelessness with AmericaRuns Campaign

PHILADELPHIA, June 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of Global Running Day, Back on My Feet, the national nonprofit that seeks to revolutionize the way society approaches homelessness through running, is launching its AmericaRuns campaign. The organization is encouraging runners and non-runners to give back to their communities by asking people across the country to sign a pledge to help raise awareness for the more than 500,000 homeless men, women and children in America. The campaign runs from May 30 – July 4.

For every pledge, Back on My Feet will receive a $1 donation and every participant is entered to win free Dunkin' Donuts coffee for a year. To enter, people can sign the AmericaRuns pledge at http://www.backonmyfeet.org/americaruns. Participants can also enter by posting a picture of themselves running on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #AmericaRuns.

Back on My Feet operates in 11 major cities coast-to-coast, with a twelfth chapter opening in San Francisco this fall, and an ultimate goal to get sneakers on the ground in all major cities across the country. The organization's unique running-based model demonstrates that if you first restore confidence, strength, and self-esteem, individuals experiencing homelessness are better equipped to tackle the road ahead. By dedicating themselves to early morning runs individuals earn the opportunity to move to the Back on My Feet "Next Steps" program which offers education, employment and housing opportunities through numerous corporate partnerships including AT&T, Marriott and Accenture.

"It only takes one run with our members who are experiencing homelessness to feel the power of what we do," said Katy Sherratt, CEO of Back on My Feet. "Food and shelter alone are not enough to lift someone up from homelessness – through our comprehensive program members receive all the physical and mental health benefits of running, the support of thousands of community volunteers across the country who run with our members every week, as well as access to important training and employment opportunities. The AmericaRuns campaign marks a monumental time for Back on My Feet as we ask people across the country to join us on our journey to combat homelessness."

"Back on My Feet has done so much for my re-acclimation into my community.  After I returned home from Afghanistan in 2011, I found a foreclosure notice on my door, and I didn't know where to turn," said Eugene Hardy, Back on My Feet Atlanta member and military veteran. "Then I discovered Back on My Feet. With their support, I have completed dozens of races and even a marathon. Through Back on My Feet's employment partner, The Home Depot, I now have a full-time job and am truly back on my feet."

In addition to signing the AmericaRuns pledge, communities can also make a difference by participating in one or more of the following ways:

• Volunteering for a Back on My Feet Run
• Hosting a Run in your community 
• Signing up for a run and FundRace

To learn more about the AmericaRuns campaign please visit http://www.backonmyfeet.org/americaruns and follow Back on My Feet on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates.

About Back on My Feet
Back on My Feet combats homelessness through the power of running, community support and essential employment and housing resources. Operating in 11 major cities coast-to-coast, Back on My Feet recruits members at homeless and residential facilities and begins with a commitment to run three days a week.  The second phase of the program, Next Steps, provides educational support, job training programs, employment partnership referrals and housing resources. Since 2007, Back on My Feet has served more than 6,000 individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness and engaged more than 100,000 volunteers and supporters. Our members have run a collective 500,000 miles and obtained more than 4,000 jobs and homes. Every $1 invested in Back on My Feet returns nearly $2.50 to the local community through increased economic output and cost savings. Through our innovative program, Back on My Feet proves that there is hope, that individuals can achieve things they never thought possible and that there are people who will support them along the way. For additional information, visit www.backonmyfeet.org. 

MEDIA CONTACT
Joe Giumarra, [email protected] 
Kirsten Anderson, [email protected] 
212.528.1691
backonmyfeet.org

SOURCE Back on My Feet

Related Links

http://www.backonmyfeet.org