The Relationships quadrant is not only about our relationships with our loved ones, but also about our relationships with our community and the world. There is no doubt that our community health affects our individual health and our collective individual health affects our community health. I read a story in Runner’s World magazine a couple of years ago that inspires me to this day. It is a great example of how one individual can impact many and how many individuals can impact one.

Anne Mahlum, in the February 2009 issue of Runner’s World talks about how she would run by a homeless shelter every day in her hometown of Philadelphia and see the men outside on the corner. The homeless men would shout out to her, calling her “Crazy Runner Girl”. One morning she wondered why she was the runner and they were the homeless. She thought, “Why can't we all just be runners?” From this question, she started Back on My Feet (BOMF), encouraging the homeless men to join her in training for a half marathon. The program grew from there.

Starting just a few years ago in July 2007, the organization is now operating in three additional cities. There are 196 members who have completed a competitive race, 41 who have completed a half marathon, and six who have completed a full marathon. BOMF is more than about encouraging homeless men to run. It’s about promoting self-sufficiency by engaging these individuals in running as a means to build confidence, strength, and self-esteem. In the three-and-a-half years of operation, 41 members have obtained housing, 78 have secured jobs, and 52 have enrolled in job training programs—all of this from one woman’s thought while out on a run. BOMF uses sport to create social change. Mahlum says, “There are so many differences between all of us, but running reminds us just how similar we are. When we run, there is no separation between race, gender, age or socioeconomic status.”

What I love about this example is that it is integral, encompassing all four quadrants. This is probably what gives it such power. The Body quadrant is involved by encouraging the men to run, promoting physical health. The Mind quadrant is represented by building up the self-confidence and self-esteem of these men, boosting their mental health. The Relationships quadrant is nurtured by the team atmosphere and the community involvement (there are now over 600 volunteers). The Environment quadrant is in play because the men are exposed to social systems that support and nurture them rather than ignore and degrade them.

Anne Mahlum was just a crazy runner girl who decided to make a difference. Through her actions, she promoted health for individuals and for her community. I share this story with you because I think of it often. Recently in my neighborhood there was a group home for juvenile kids on probation. My neighbors were not happy about it. They rallied and spoke at a city meeting to try to get the home removed. I tried to explain to my neighbors that perhaps instead of chasing the kids out, we could welcome them into the community. I even thought about creating a running program for them, similar to BOMF. I was met with a lot of resistance. The group home has since been moved out of my community. In this instance, I did not act to make my community a better place. I let fear and opposition prevent me from action. I hope next time the opportunity presents itself, I step up to the plate and make a difference in my community. In a way, it is an act in my own best interest since my community health affects my own health.

Grassroots efforts can (and do!) make a difference. Will you step up when the opportunity presents itself to make your community (and the world) a healthier and better place?


Anne Mahlum with Back on My Feet Participants