From Homelessness in Dallas to Paying it Forward in Boston
“The people in life that glow are the people that are always helping someone else. You can see how special they are. I’m trying to be that. But it’s not about me being better than anyone else. It’s about the people who need the help now that I needed then.”
— Tim, Back on My Feet Alum
Connection and Relationships: What Lauren Gets Out of Volunteering
“I think the thing that I love most about Back on My Feet is the truly personal connection and relationship you’re able to build with members and volunteers over an extended period of time.”
— Lauren, Back on My Feet DC Volunteer
Overcoming Addiction Through Healthy Living
“I am diving into healthy living, meaning good sleep, good eating, exercise, volunteer work. I am contributing to the stream of life, where I used to be taking.”
— Kevin, Back on My Feet LA, Alum & Volunteer
Breaking Barriers and Changing Lives: Anthony’s Inspirational Journey
“Some of the men and women I run with make phenomenal changes in their existence. It really puts your life in perspective to hear the amazing things our members have overcome.”
— Anthony, Back on My Feet DC Volunteer
Building a Stronger Community: Paige and Anthony’s Perspective
“When we’re out at Circle Ups, you don’t know who’s a member or who’s a volunteer. There’s no distinguishing factor and it’s not always obvious. Everyone’s just a person.”
— Paige, Back on My Feet Seattle, Volunteer
Empowering Change: Kristen’s Experience from FundRacing to Mentoring
“Community is so important for those struggling with mental health. Some of our members have not always had support in the past. They are so grateful for the volunteers but I always tell them, ‘You are giving me as much as I am giving you.’ “
— Kristen, Back on My Feet Denver Volunteer
Running for a Cause: Melanie’s Journey from LA Marathon FundRacer to San Francisco Volunteer
“Volunteering with Back on My Feet has broadened my perspective, showing the diversity of homeless profiles and debunking media stereotypes. Engaging with facility residents has fostered empathy, highlighting unique stories and dispelling clichés about homelessness, particularly in San Francisco.”
— Melanie, Back on My Feet San Francisco, Volunteer
The Power of Mentorship: AJ’s Journey with Back on My Feet
“What the mentee program did for me was inject something completely different, a breath of fresh air, got me out of the box feeling energized and excited.”
— AJ, Back on My Feet NYC Volunteer
Anabel’s Journey of Compassion and Self-Discovery with Back on My Feet
“A lot of people are under the impression that homelessness is a character flaw but once you become involved it’s impossible to hold on to that stigma. There is such a wide range of what it could look like and what it is.”
— Anabel, Back on My Feet Houston, Volunteer
How Volunteering with Back on My Feet Gave Nate a New Perspective on Homelessness
“It is alarmingly easy to dehumanize people experiencing homelessness or addiction. It is also easy to think that there is nothing that you can do to make a difference as an individual.”
— Nate, Back on My Feet, Dallas, Volunteer