By Devynn Barnes
Running takes discipline. It’s taxing, tiring and it can take months of practice to achieve distance or time goals. Kelly Sharpe, volunteer with Back on My Feet Indianapolis, is no stranger to the hard work that comes with running, but now she’s using it for a higher purpose.
The Back on My Feet organization uses running to help empower and transform the lives of the homeless in the community, as well as transform the way the homeless population is perceived. “It’s literally helping individuals who have experienced some trouble get back on their feet and out in the community,” Sharpe said.
Sharpe has been working with the organization since January of 2013, volunteering by running with the group or working the water stations or the finish line on race day. She said that the mission of Back on My Feet struck her right away when she first started working with the organization.
“I love running and I work downtown. It just kind of gave me another purpose for running,” Sharpe said.
Back on My Feet fosters self-sufficiency for people who find themselves in homeless shelters and allows them to change the way they see themselves. The organization started in Philadelphia in 2007 and now has 11 chapters across the country. In Indiana, Back on My Feet works with races around the Indianapolis area to enter participants, and hosts its own full-marathon relay race to raise money for the organization and its members.
Back on My Feet teams run Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings and enter races year-round. It’s easy to get involved as a runner or volunteer, and for Sharpe, doing so has definitely been meaningful.
“I’ve learned a lot about myself,” she said, “and I’ve really welcomed the opportunity to share what running can do for someone.”
Visit www.indianapolis.backonmyfeet.org for more information on upcoming races and volunteer opportunities.
