Back on My Feet

The 76ers had a special group of visitors at their practice today, as members from Back on My Feet stopped by PCOM to watch the Sixers practice and meet with some of the players and coaches.

Back on My Feet is a non-profit organization that assists Philadelphia’s homeless population get ‘back on their feet’ by promoting self awareness through running and exercising. Founder and President of Back on My Feet Anne Malhum came up with the idea after running past a group of homeless people every day during the summer. Malhum said she would see the same group of people on the same corner every morning and would get to know them because they made sure to say hello and wish her good luck on her run. That’s when the idea came to Anne.

“I started to realize that I was moving my life forward everyday- physically, mentally, metaphorically- and they were standing in the same spot,” Malhum said. “I know how powerful running has been in my life, and I wanted to share it with them. I thought it would help them realize how much potential they have and help them with their self esteem.”

Anne sought out the director of the homeless facility and told him her idea to start a running club for the facility. The director was a little skeptical at first, but after sitting down and sharing her ideas, Anne got her running club. The club started with just nine members, but has grown exponentially over the last half year. Back on My Feet now has more than 235 volunteers and over 50 members inside homeless facilities across Philadelphia.

“It’s amazing, it’s just a big community of love and support, and we’re all on the same team,” Anne said. “It doesn’t matter if you are black or white or have a million dollars or nothing at all, when you come to Back on My Feet you better be there on time, and respect each other and support each other.”

Back on My Feet isn’t just about running though. Malhum chose the name because she truly wanted to get homeless people back on their feet. After partnering with banks and educational groups, Back on My Feet was able to get their members moving forward in life.

“We work with our members to move them forward based on the goals they want to accomplish - whether it’s getting their GED, or getting a job, or going back for their Associate’s degree,” Anne said.

One of the first members to go back to school can now type 34 words per minute, has a job as an interviewer, and has been able to establish himself in the workplace again. Just this week, Back on My Feet had three more of its members start school.

“It’s so unbelievable for them and us,” Anne said. “Their attitudes have changed, their self-esteem is improving. We are so proud of them.”

Back on My Feet members have been running every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday since July 3rd. Every participating facility has their own ‘team’ which are completely self-sufficient. Back on My Feet will open three more teams in the spring, and Anne hopes to have 10 teams by the end of the year.

“We are building that model or structure to start from. Hopefully we can continue to spread out in Philadelphia as well as other cities across the nation,” Anne said.

Anne will be honored as the Philadelphia 76ers Hometown Hero at Friday night’s game against the Seattle SuperSonics for her efforts with Back on My Feet. To raise additional awareness for Back on My Feet and their goals, fans and the Comcast-Spectacor staff at the Wachovia Center, including event staff and team personnel, will all be encouraged to wear sneakers to the game, regardless of their choice of attire. Fans will also be encouraged to donate a new pair of running sneakers that will be donated to Back on My Feet.

All fans who donate sneakers that evening will receive two (2) complimentary tickets to a Sixers game against the New Jersey Nets on March 22 or their game against the Indiana Pacers on April 11, at the Wachovia Center.