Back on My Feet, the national nonprofit organization that uses running as a vehicle to promote self-sufficiency among those experiencing homelessness, reports that hundreds of companies and organizations across the country will encourage thousands of employees to wear sneakers to work the week of November 14 through 18. The organization’s “Sneaker Week” campaign aligns with National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. The campaign is simple – participating companies allow their employees to wear sneakers to work for a $5 donation to Back on My Feet. Companies can register for free on Back on My Feet’s website.

“Back on My Feet has chapters in eight markets, but Sneaker Week allows us to reach supporters beyond our programmatic footprint,” said Anne Mahlum, founder and CEO of Back on My Feet. “Companies in Idaho, Washington State, California, Florida and more are all asking employees to lace up their sneakers and join our movement to change the perception of homelessness.”

Back on My Feet hopes to engage tens-of-thousands of people in Sneaker Week. It costs about $1,800 to move one individual through the six to nine month program, which includes weekly runs and access to earned financial aid, as well as employment and housing resources. Funds raised will support new Members in the program and the organization’s national growth. The campaign has sparked friendly competition among department, floors, teams and sales regions.

Back on My Feet has chapters in Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Indianapolis, Philadelphia and Washington, DC. Since 2008, the organization has helped hundreds of people across the country secure employment and independent housing.

About Back on My Feet
Back on My Feet, launched in Philadelphia in 2007, is a non-profit organization that promotes the self-sufficiency of people experiencing homelessness by engaging them in running to build strength, confidence and self-esteem. Members run Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings and must maintain 90 percent attendance to move forward in the program and gain access to job training, employment and housing opportunities. Back on My Feet has chapters in Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Indianapolis, Philadelphia and Washington DC. The organization’s New York City chapter will launch in April 2012. Back on My Feet has received media support, including attention from NBC Nightly News, ABC World News, CNN and TODAY for its ingenuity in tackling this difficult social issue. More information can be found at backonmyfeet.org.

Back on My Feet

Back on My Feet

Back on My Feet is a national nonprofit organization that promotes the self-sufficiency of people experiencing homelessness by engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem. Individuals living in homeless shelters participate in Back on My Feet's six to nine month running-based program in which members earn the opportunity to move their lives forward through the many resources provided within the program, such as financial literacy, education, workforce development, legal aid and employment and housing opportunities.

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