Running Program Inspires Homeless

If you're looking for an inspirational story, check out this USA Today article. It describes a program that uses athletics (specifically running) to inspire and motivate the homeless to become self-sufficient. Started by Anne Mahlum of Philadelphia, the program is called Back on My Feet. Residents of homeless shelters form teams that run several times a week, often with a long-term goal in mind.

Program Director Wylie Belasik explains how the program changes an individual's mindset. "By someone accomplishing a 5-mile run," he says, "it starts the ball rolling to say, 'Well maybe I could go back to school as well, and I thought that was crazy before, just like I thought running 5 miles was crazy.'"

The USA Today article tells the story of Michael Solomon, who says the program inspired him to return to school. "[Anne Mahlum] was telling us about the strength we had in ourselves, and I may have never tapped into it if it wasn't for her."

So what about you? Is there a source of strength and motivation that you haven't tapped into yet?