An avid runner since she was 12, Campbell is now executive director of Back on My Feet, which uses running to help the District’s homeless community become self-sufficient. She has been with the group since the summer of 2009 and took part in the grassroots effort to start the D.C. chapter. How does running help homelessness?
Running establishes a sense of strength, of confidence, of self-esteem that someone can pull on when dealing with other challenges in life. Running is a metaphor for life as well. Step by step, day by day, mile by mile. These are the kinds of things it takes to move forward or lead a successful life.
How many homeless people are involved in the D.C. chapter of BOMF?
We have 65 members who have experienced homelessness in some form. We have five teams in D.C. We partner with facilities that are in D.C. that are transitional, long-term, recovery or rehabilitation housing facilities. The teams are at Clean and Sober Streets, Emery House, N Street Village, Blair House and La Casa.
What other ways does BOMF help its members?
Running is where BOMF starts ??– three times per week at 5:45 a.m. Once someone has maintained 90 percent or better attendance over 90 days, they’re eligible to enter our Next Steps component. Next Steps is where we connect our members to job training and educational opportunities, housing placement assistance and up to $1,250 in financial assistance to help move his/her life forward. Running is where we start, and we continue running throughout the program. Our important work is done in Next Steps.
Does BOMF provide gear for its members?
Through a partnership with Pacers Running Store called Run Give Run, we provide all of our members with new shoes, free of cost. We also provide our members with shorts, shirts or winter gear ?– whatever is appropriate for the season.
Erica Redmond
