Hope House (Team Hope)
Updated: August 30, 2011
Come join the Back on My Feet Team at Hope House. [Map here]
Facility Information
Hope House is an 80-bed non-profit residential treatment program for male alcoholics and substance abusers in need of help and willing to commit to recovery. Founded in 1955 by Jack Donahue, an advocate for Boston’s homeless who would eventually be instrumental in the passage of bills critical to the treatment of alcoholism in Massachusetts, Jack created a program to help alcoholics recover that is still in effect today.
The Hope House mission is to “provide effective treatment for alcoholism and substance abuse in a safe, secure, community-based setting. Clients learn the skills necessary to live a substance-free life, obtain gainful employment, return to their families, and become productive members of their community.” Back on My Feet contributes a supportive environment in which running can help give their clients a structured training program and a path to return to society.
“The Hope House members are committed to their recovery, and Back on My Feet has the supportive environment to help them in the long run. We look forward to early morning runs and becoming one team willing to hold each other up until the race is done and beyond. Hope will now also be the pounding of feet through Boston,” said Victor Acosta, Executive Director for Back on My Feet Boston.
Team Information
Meeting Location: 8 Farnham Street, Boston, MA [Map here]
When do we run?: We start at 5:45 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and finish by 7 a.m. Saturday runs start at 7 a.m. from the same location (start at 3 miles) after one month.
How long are runs?: Runs will start at one mile and build as members gain greater fitness.
Want to Join?
Sign up for an orientation.
Boston Chapter Non-Res Member of the Month: Betty Yung
Name: Betty Yung
Hometown: Raised in New York, NY. A Boston resident for the last 10 years.
Occupation: Occupational Therapist
Number of Years Running: Since elementary school. Ran competitively in high school cross country, indoor, and outdoor track. Ran 1st marathon when she was 19 in 2002.
Favorite Race: New York City Marathon
Why she runs for Back on My Feet Boston: Betty says, "I do not think I can fully express why I run for BoMF because BoMF has changed my life as much as it has changed the lives of all the residents on my team. I first read about BoMF in Runner’s World and thought it was an interesting program, but never thought that I would be a part of it one day!
"As an occupational therapist, I help people with physical disabilities “get back on their feet” so I thought BoMF was a perfect marriage between my love for running and passion to help others. I never imagined that leading a BoMF team would be so emotionally demanding, but I knew that I was making a difference.
"There were a lot of tears in the beginning when Hope House experienced losses due to relapse, but we are now stronger than ever with 11 active residents and 20 active non-residents.
"Residents are forever touched by the time that we spend with them three to four times a week. I have gotten to know all the residents on my team and their stories are why I have continued to run for BoMF. At our outdoor yoga social event this summer, one resident shared with me that it was his first time at a sober event that was not an AA or NA meeting. This resident had isolated himself during his recovery and BoMF was helping him on his social skills. Through our social outings, residents have been introduced to activities that they would have never participated in if it were not for BoMF.
"Our monthly races are another reason why I continue to run for BoMF. The majority of the residents have never spectated or participated in a road race before. Residents are excited for every race and it gives them a goal to work towards during their recovery. They feel so accomplished after each race and it is a feeling that cannot be reproduced by drugs or alcohol. After Ruckus this year, two of my residents signed up on their own to compete in the Spartan obstacle course race. Another resident also signed up for races that are not run with BoMF.
"Many residents share that they are more energized after running in the morning and a few have even run on their own outside of the Monday, Wednesday, Friday runs. We have influenced the residents to a different lifestyle. A healthier lifestyle.
"I plan to continue leading the team at Hope House as long as my schedule allows for it. I have a great group of non-residents who have become friends during this year and I am fortunate to have them support me every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Without them, Team Hope House would not be the toughest and most beautiful team in Boston!
You can also read about what a Resident Member of Hope House had to say about his time with Bett on the Back on My Feet blog.
