Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas Proud to Sponsor Austin Launch of "Back on My Feet" Program
Richardson and Austin, TX — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) is working with the Back on My Feet (BoMF) organization to Focus on Health for the Homeless. BoMF is a national nonprofit organization that uses running to help those experiencing homelessness change the way they see themselves so they can make real change that results in employment and independent living.
On Monday, January 28, the organization will launch its Austin chapter with an inaugural Austin run and a community breakfast. BCBSTX is a sponsor of the breakfast. The money raised from the launch will provide the seed funding for Back on My Feet Austin's future successes. BoMF aims to use running to create self-sufficiency in the lives of those experiencing homelessness.
"We are thrilled to launch a chapter in Austin, where the community is working hard to support those who, given the second chance, can run with greater hope towards an independent life," said Anne Mahlum, Founder and CEO of Back on My Feet. "We feel privileged to bring Back on My Feet's much needed program and services to the city of Austin and are grateful for the community and corporate support from organizations like Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas."
"We are proud to be part of a program that connects healthy pursuits with healthy life outcomes, and are glad to see Back on My Feet bring its record of success to Texas," said Bert Marshall, BCBSTX President.
The program's success is measured by how many people experiencing homelessness achieve independence through employment and housing. Running leads to personal transformation and dedication to the program leads to access to training, employment and housing resources. Through community and corporate support, the program strives to change the perception of homelessness.
About Back on My Feet
Back on My Feet (BoMF), launched in Philadelphia in 2007, is a national nonprofit organization that uses running to help those experiencing homelessness change the way they see themselves so they can make real change in their lives that results in employment and independent living. The organization creates a community built on the very profound and innate desire for all of us to feel recognized, appreciated and supported. Back on My Feet does not provide food nor shelter, but instead provides coaching, resources, financial aid, job training and access to employment opportunities. The organization has chapters in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Boston, Chicago, Indianapolis, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Atlanta and New York City, with Austin launching January 28, 2013. The organization plans to expand to the West Coast in late 2013 and has received media support including attention from NBC Nightly News, ABC World News, CNN and The Today Show for its ingenuity in tackling this difficult social issue. More information can be found at backonmyfeet.org 
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