We stood, arms around each other, forming a circle. “God,” everyone said in unison, “grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” As we ended the Serenity Prayer, I looked around the circle and realized that homelessness doesn’t have a face. Of the handful of people in the circle, I couldn’t tell which ones had just spent the night at The Bridge shelter (whose parking lot we were stretching in) and who had come from their homes in the Park Cities, North Dallas, or a condo just down the street.
And that’s the beauty of the nonprofit Back on My Feet: it’s a neutralizer that brings together people of all backgrounds, socio-economic statuses, and life stages who are passionate about running. The program also provides job training, financial advisement, and assistance finding employment and housing. Back on My Feet’s mission—to give a new perspective on homelessness in Dallas—is fulfilled each time it gathers people together at shelters for early morning runs (or walks). On this particular October morning, I’m at The Bridge to run with Mr.—yes, that’s his name.
As we took off down South Saint Paul Street, dodging a cactus here and there, I asked Mr. about himself. He told me that he and his wife, Hazel, came to Dallas three years ago from Detroit, Michigan. They came to Dallas because Mr. is a mixed-medium artist, and after doing some research online, the couple decided Dallas has the largest art culture in the United States. They were homeless when they got here and stayed at the Family Gateway Shelter for a little while. They moved into a place after that, but because of marital issues, Mr. found himself at The Bridge. That’s when he heard about Back on My Feet. He figured it would be a great group to network with.
It ended up changing him. “It’s been an opportunity to see how kind humans can really be,” he says. “It really shows me a different side of humans that I have not seen before. I’ve been awed, and it’s inspired me to be the same, to be a more charitable person. I feel good about who I am today because I’m involved with these individuals. To think that I want to do the same thing now opposed to how my mentality was two years ago, it’s just so phenomenal.”
Mr.—who started out running two miles, then three, and can now knock out six easily—has participated in several 5Ks. He finished his most recent 5K in 28:14. That’s why, when Mr. and I made the turn at the Hunt building to go back to the Bridge. I gasped, “Go on.” Another runner slowed down with me, and we watched Mr. pick up the pace. As I talked to the other runner, I realized she was a volunteer. Mr. had described the volunteers as people who “would give me the shirt off their back in a minute and wouldn’t expect anything of me but to wear it well.” Within seconds, I realized he was right.
When we finally caught up with him back at the parking lot, he was talking about his plans to re-propose to Hazel, his biggest supporter. He had had a dress made for her and was showing it off. One of Back on My Feet’s coordinators made announcements, and then got some winter running clothes out of her car for the residential members. After a few stretches, we parted ways.
When I caught up with Mr. a couple weeks later, he had moved into his own place. He had just been a part of an art exhibit at the Bridge Bistro, and he had picked out a ring for his wife. He planned to propose on December 22: the day would start with a bit of pampering, and then he would show her one of the greatest views of the city from the top of Reunion Tower. (Update: Mr. did re-propose and his wife said yes.) Their son, who’s 10, has started running with Mr. As we talked about what an impact Back on My Feet has had on him, Mr. told me that the experience has allowed him to go beyond words and move to action. “Nothing happens until you start making something happen,” he says. “It’s just running, but it’s really more than that. It goes beyond that. It goes to the point of helping me be more focused. It helps me with my mental disability. It helps me with my inner self. I’ve learned true happiness comes from myself.”
Q&A With Mr.
Do you run with music and what’s your favorite running tune?
Yes, I listen to classical Chinese orchestra. “Into the Trees” is one of the songs I generally listen to.
What’s your favorite route?
Around Klyde Warren Park.
What’s the longest distance you’ve run?
Six miles
At what point did you consider yourself a runner?
I don’t consider myself a runner today. I’m just really hanging out with the guys and running.
What is your favorite piece of running gear?
My shoes.
