An incredible Philadelphia running organziation helps homeless men and women get back on their feet, literally.
baltimoresun.com
Homeless men will run for their new, better lives
15 of those competing in city marathon represent program
By Mike Klingaman
October 10, 2008
Watch here.
Mike Solomon will hit the streets tomorrow for all the right reasons. Homeless last year, and hooked for much of his life on drugs and booze, he has since recovered and will compete in the half-marathon at the Baltimore Running Festival.Gone are the long hair, the scruffy beard and the feeling of despair that had turned Solomon's life into a hopeless fetal tuck. Clean-shaven, hair trimmed and a transient no more, he'll start the 13.1-mile race looking like any other hopeful Joe.
"I'll be running alongside chemists, accountants and cops," said the Philadelphia man. "I used to run away from the police. Now I'm running with them."
Why the turnaround? Solomon, 43, said his life began to change that day at the rescue mission last year when he was offered a clean T-shirt, shorts and running shoes - and asked to jog a mile.Jog he did. It made him feel ... good."I was sweating but when I finished it was like I could do anything," Solomon said. He has since completed a marathon and two half-marathons. He said he has also stayed clean, taken computer training and moved into his own apartment. A widower, he gained custody of his 13-year-old daughter. All thanks to a Philadelphia program that tries to heal the homeless through long-distance running.
Founded in 2007, "Back On My Feet" seeks to boost their self-esteem, literally, step by step. Three mornings a week, an eclectic group of men and women from five city shelters gather before dawn to lace up their complimentary Nikes and traverse the streets of Philadelphia. Volunteers run beside them, shouting encouragement. Participants start slow, adding mileage in a planned, goal-oriented regimen.
Results have been positive, said Anne Mahlum, president of the nonprofit organization. From a startup of nine members, "Back On My Feet" has grown to 75. Success has prompted a spin-off for Baltimore, where organizers plan to start a sister program in 2009. To showcase its progress, BOMF is bringing 15 homeless runners to compete in tomorrow's races."That's pretty neat," said Lee Corrigan, head of Corrigan Sports Enterprises, which manages and markets the event. "We've never had the homeless here before. A few of them have jumped into races [spontaneously] in the past, but nothing organized."That speaks to the nature of running. It's mentally therapeutic and it creates a can-do attitude."Statistics bear him out. Of the homeless who have participated in BOMF, said Mahlum, "nine have moved into their own homes and 14 have found jobs. Eighty-nine percent have suppressed their smoking habits and 100 percent feel better about themselves."To date, Solomon is alone in having done a full marathon, finishing one in Delaware in four hours, 10 minutes. "At the end, I was prayin' and screamin' and singin' and laughin,'" he said. "I was delirious, man. Who'd have thought this wild child from the 'hood, who acted stupid all his life, could make his mark like that?"
Running, he said, requires discipline, commitment and responsibility - all requisites for managing one's life. The homeless learn those lessons early on, BOMF members said."I've taken shortcuts all my life, but you find out real fast that you can't cheat in a race," said Abdullah Dorch, 35. "You can't get from one mile to the next without running it."
The demands of the program - sobriety, a drug-free life and regular attendance at practice - cause some to drop out. Others are dismissed for hocking their running gear. But more than 75 percent of the homeless who embrace BOMF stick with it, program director Wylie Belasik said."One guy told me, 'When you do drugs, you feel great for an hour, then terrible, even paranoid, for the rest of the day. With running, you don't feel great while you're doing it, but you're terrific the rest of the day,'" Belasik said."Running isn't the sole answer to homelessness. But by getting these people involved in a positive activity that strengthens them physically and mentally, and giving them a support network, you see neat thing start to happen."
When he landed in a Philadelphia shelter last spring, Darrin McNair said he was "going nowhere fast. There were drugs, alcohol. I was homeless, hopeless, a nonexistent entity. I felt less than human."Yet a group of his brethren seemed happy."At the shelter, I'd see these guys come back from running with smiles on their faces," McNair said. "I thought, in the midst of adversity, how could they be enjoying life by running?"I wanted in."Back On My Feet fit McNair, 39. He'll not forget his first race, a 5-kilometer, in June:"To run with a number on my chest and with people cheering at the finish line sent thrills through me," he said. "Here's this old homeless dude receiving applause and the respect of his fellow man. For me, it was a whole new high that I didn't have to pay for."
McNair will participate in the 5K tomorrow. He recently moved out of the mission and said he hopes to find a job working with at-risk youths."People with the disease of addiction have a self-defeatist attitude," he said. "But I will never disqualify myself from anything again. And I'll run a full marathon before it's all said and done."If not for running, I'd probably be dead."
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Are you consistent?
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit." - Aristotle
I think this quote helps explain what is working in our lives and what isn't. Simple or complex, the actions or words we repeatedly use - consciously and sometimes unconsciously - define our routine lives. To be great, we must do great things for our own spirit and for others. Unhealthy behaviors, relationships, words, and thoughts lead to an unhealthy spirit. To become the person we want to be, to make the impact we want to make, we must consistently do those things that help define that ultimate goal.
To be a loving person, we must consistently love ourselves and consistently express our love for others.
To be a good role model, we must consistently be true to ourselves and act out of integrity.
To get out of debt, we must consistently be responsible for our spending behavior and define our means and limits - and consistently live by those means and limits.
To be an inspiration, we must consistently look for inspiration.
Are you consistent? Fill in the blank: To be ___________, I must consistently _________.
I think this quote helps explain what is working in our lives and what isn't. Simple or complex, the actions or words we repeatedly use - consciously and sometimes unconsciously - define our routine lives. To be great, we must do great things for our own spirit and for others. Unhealthy behaviors, relationships, words, and thoughts lead to an unhealthy spirit. To become the person we want to be, to make the impact we want to make, we must consistently do those things that help define that ultimate goal.
To be a loving person, we must consistently love ourselves and consistently express our love for others.
To be a good role model, we must consistently be true to ourselves and act out of integrity.
To get out of debt, we must consistently be responsible for our spending behavior and define our means and limits - and consistently live by those means and limits.
To be an inspiration, we must consistently look for inspiration.
Are you consistent? Fill in the blank: To be ___________, I must consistently _________.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Another one from TrendCentral (presented by the intelligence group)
MY URBAN RABBIT HOLE NEW T-SHIRT BRAND ALLOWS PEOPLE TO MAP PERSONAL EXPERIENCES
The brainchild of a journalist and a marketing whiz, My Urban Rabbit Hole is a new customizable t-shirt brand, community gathering, and celebration of local living all in one. At the tangible level, it is a t-shirt with a map of a city on it, but the concept goes far beyond silk screened cotton: individuals use permanent red fabric paint to plot five points on the map that have personal significance to them, telling their stories through urban geography. Turning the t-shirts into an experience unto themselves, the t-shirts can't just be purchased. The process of getting one's hands on the garment includes "a series of mysterious hoops, clues and trap doors," one element of which includes procuring a secret quickly-expiring password which is the only way to gain entrance to the website. Lucky recipients pick up their t-shirts at an invite-only, live participatory art event where they plot their personal reference points, and reflect and share their stories. Currently, the t-shirts are only available for lower Manhattan but there are plans for t-shirts for Berlin, Istanbul, Shanghai and Barcelona.
In today's global and mobile environment, young people are increasingly looking to forge a personal connection with their local communities through buying locally produced goods and participating in local clubs and events. More than that, local neighborhoods are also being recognized as a key contributing factor to the formation of personal identity. And with the growth of the visual mapping trend, expect even more products to use physical locations to help consumers document and share their stories.
The brainchild of a journalist and a marketing whiz, My Urban Rabbit Hole is a new customizable t-shirt brand, community gathering, and celebration of local living all in one. At the tangible level, it is a t-shirt with a map of a city on it, but the concept goes far beyond silk screened cotton: individuals use permanent red fabric paint to plot five points on the map that have personal significance to them, telling their stories through urban geography. Turning the t-shirts into an experience unto themselves, the t-shirts can't just be purchased. The process of getting one's hands on the garment includes "a series of mysterious hoops, clues and trap doors," one element of which includes procuring a secret quickly-expiring password which is the only way to gain entrance to the website. Lucky recipients pick up their t-shirts at an invite-only, live participatory art event where they plot their personal reference points, and reflect and share their stories. Currently, the t-shirts are only available for lower Manhattan but there are plans for t-shirts for Berlin, Istanbul, Shanghai and Barcelona.
In today's global and mobile environment, young people are increasingly looking to forge a personal connection with their local communities through buying locally produced goods and participating in local clubs and events. More than that, local neighborhoods are also being recognized as a key contributing factor to the formation of personal identity. And with the growth of the visual mapping trend, expect even more products to use physical locations to help consumers document and share their stories.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Before you throw that away...
Spend even a few minutes with Tom Szaky and he is bound to say, “The thing about garbage is ...”
That’s because TerraCycle, the company he co-founded in 2001 and has run since, is aiming to make billions by collecting used plastic bags, juice pouches, cookie wrappers and other items that cannot be recycled and fusing them into everyday items like tote bags, pencil cases and messenger bags to be sold at some of the country’s biggest retailers.
Be inspired by this young entrepreneur working towards a more productive and environmental-friendly economy.
That’s because TerraCycle, the company he co-founded in 2001 and has run since, is aiming to make billions by collecting used plastic bags, juice pouches, cookie wrappers and other items that cannot be recycled and fusing them into everyday items like tote bags, pencil cases and messenger bags to be sold at some of the country’s biggest retailers.
Be inspired by this young entrepreneur working towards a more productive and environmental-friendly economy.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Food Swap
From trendcentral, presented by The Intelligence Group. I get these newsletters everyday. Some really interesting stuff. Today's trend:
TODAY'S ARTICLE
Monday, September 22, 2008
THE LATEST TREND IN FOOD FOOD SWAPPING
Food prices are increasing at the fastest rate in nearly two decades, and as consumers feel the pinch, they're looking for alternatives to the grocery store. One of the most creative money saving strategies we've seen is food swapping in which people barter food for other edibles they don't have in their own respective pantries.
In London, the organizers of an organic farmers market hold an annual event called The Great Food Swap. Hundreds of people show up looking to trade their homemade preserves for another's garden grown veggies, homemade bread or freshly caught fish. The event is not only a place for people to score quality local food, but it also fosters a unique community by giving consumers the opportunity to actually meet the people who make, bake, or pick what they eat. Also in the UK, a pub called The Pigs lets patrons exchange food for pints; items such as free-range eggs and homegrown fruit that regulars bring in then make it onto the food menu.
Stateside, we're increasingly seeing neighborhood message board postings with offers of food giveaways, shares and swaps. Not limited to those looking for budget cuts, people looking to cut waste are also trading and sharing food. Example include someone going on vacation getting rid of their perishables, CSA members who can't eat half of their large bounty of kale, and those who want to trade a home cooked meal for house repairs. And with the growth and success of online swapping communities in other sectors, such as crafts, expect to soon see a Craigslist-style site connecting consumers who want to swap and barter using cuisine as currency.
* trendcentral articles are designed to be trend reports, not endorsements * The Intelligence Group is a trend-forecasting and marketing Consultancy focused on Gen X, Gen Y and Tweens. For more information on our services, or to subscribe to our syndicated studies, The Cassandra Report, Tween Intelligence, Latino Intelligence, and Mom Intelligence, contact Liz Gray at 212-277-5244 or via email at egray@intelg.com.
TODAY'S ARTICLE
Monday, September 22, 2008
THE LATEST TREND IN FOOD FOOD SWAPPING
Food prices are increasing at the fastest rate in nearly two decades, and as consumers feel the pinch, they're looking for alternatives to the grocery store. One of the most creative money saving strategies we've seen is food swapping in which people barter food for other edibles they don't have in their own respective pantries.
In London, the organizers of an organic farmers market hold an annual event called The Great Food Swap. Hundreds of people show up looking to trade their homemade preserves for another's garden grown veggies, homemade bread or freshly caught fish. The event is not only a place for people to score quality local food, but it also fosters a unique community by giving consumers the opportunity to actually meet the people who make, bake, or pick what they eat. Also in the UK, a pub called The Pigs lets patrons exchange food for pints; items such as free-range eggs and homegrown fruit that regulars bring in then make it onto the food menu.
Stateside, we're increasingly seeing neighborhood message board postings with offers of food giveaways, shares and swaps. Not limited to those looking for budget cuts, people looking to cut waste are also trading and sharing food. Example include someone going on vacation getting rid of their perishables, CSA members who can't eat half of their large bounty of kale, and those who want to trade a home cooked meal for house repairs. And with the growth and success of online swapping communities in other sectors, such as crafts, expect to soon see a Craigslist-style site connecting consumers who want to swap and barter using cuisine as currency.
* trendcentral articles are designed to be trend reports, not endorsements * The Intelligence Group is a trend-forecasting and marketing Consultancy focused on Gen X, Gen Y and Tweens. For more information on our services, or to subscribe to our syndicated studies, The Cassandra Report, Tween Intelligence, Latino Intelligence, and Mom Intelligence, contact Liz Gray at 212-277-5244 or via email at egray@intelg.com.
Running through nature
I'm still recovering a bit this morning from a 20 mile run yesterday. (I'm training for the Chicago Marathon on October 12). Typically I train along the lake in the city, but this past weekend I went home and spent some time with my family in Naperville. As I thought about where I'd run on Sunday I remembered a beautiful dirt trail that winds through trees, prairies, over streams and next to old railroad tracks at Waterfall Glen park. A bit nervous Sunday morning, I laced up my shoes and headed out. It was a cool morning, perfect temperature for a long run. As I became immersed in the trail I looked around and became extremely appreciative of what nature provides us - simplicity. The word natural to me means clean, pure, untouched, truest self. I love living in the city but at times the "the concrete jungle" can be a bit much - dusty, loud, congested, tense. Running in a peaceful setting, listening to the trees, birds and my breathing was inspirational in that we don't always have to overthink things in life, sometimes the most simple answer is the best one.
As I ran, I thought about stopping to take photos with my cell phone but I don't think it would've done the trail justice. If you enjoy hiking, walking, running, or biking I suggest visiting Waterfall Glen.
On another note, I received an e-mail this morning from a former intern about his work in Malden, Missouri at a campaign office for Barak Obama. His note was witty yet very real as he described the small town and the continued racial divide that still exists today. An exerpt from his e-mail:
Working in the Bootheel definitely has it's challenges. This area has been pretty solidly republican for some time now, and the fact that our candidate is a black man with a funny sounding name doesn't help matters much. Despite my best efforts to fit in (growing out my sideburns, as Lucy suggested), I still get a lot of "you ain't from around here, are ya Boy?" Down here I'm not exactly writing the next, "How to win friends and influence people." But really, this is a tough area to work. A lot of these communities are still pretty racist, and I've had a lot of people openly tell me they won't vote for Barack just because he's black. I'm constantly telling people that he's not actually a Muslim, he doesn't read the Koran, and I'm pretty sure he's not a terrorist. I wish I was kidding when I said I have to dispell those myths.
As I read on, I am inspired by his hard work as he motivates these people to think for themselves and vote while contributing to something bigger than himself. This election is no doubt an interesting one, historical in fact. And he is doing something that will make history some day. What are you doing that will leave a mark on someone's life? How are you inspiring others?
As I ran, I thought about stopping to take photos with my cell phone but I don't think it would've done the trail justice. If you enjoy hiking, walking, running, or biking I suggest visiting Waterfall Glen.
On another note, I received an e-mail this morning from a former intern about his work in Malden, Missouri at a campaign office for Barak Obama. His note was witty yet very real as he described the small town and the continued racial divide that still exists today. An exerpt from his e-mail:
Working in the Bootheel definitely has it's challenges. This area has been pretty solidly republican for some time now, and the fact that our candidate is a black man with a funny sounding name doesn't help matters much. Despite my best efforts to fit in (growing out my sideburns, as Lucy suggested), I still get a lot of "you ain't from around here, are ya Boy?" Down here I'm not exactly writing the next, "How to win friends and influence people." But really, this is a tough area to work. A lot of these communities are still pretty racist, and I've had a lot of people openly tell me they won't vote for Barack just because he's black. I'm constantly telling people that he's not actually a Muslim, he doesn't read the Koran, and I'm pretty sure he's not a terrorist. I wish I was kidding when I said I have to dispell those myths.
As I read on, I am inspired by his hard work as he motivates these people to think for themselves and vote while contributing to something bigger than himself. This election is no doubt an interesting one, historical in fact. And he is doing something that will make history some day. What are you doing that will leave a mark on someone's life? How are you inspiring others?
Friday, September 19, 2008
Numero Uno
Ha, well I finally joined the "cool crowd" and created a blog. I enjoy writing but have never been good at committing myself to journaling every day. And when I say journaling, I mean pen to paper. I figure this outlet will work a little better since I'm on a computer a good part of the day so writing here is a little more accessible. My thought behind this blog is to provide an outlet for expression, thoughts and questions about what is inspiring to me. But I also want others to share their inspirations here too. What is inspiring to one person may be uninspiring to another person but that's what I find so fascinating - that each person has something unique to them that makes them wonder why? Let us open our eyes to new things, places and ideas to create a better understanding of what's around us, but more importantly, a better understanding of ourselves.
My first inspiration for today: the sky. A limitless space that produces unimaginable beauty.
My first inspiration for today: the sky. A limitless space that produces unimaginable beauty.
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