St. Francis House (Team Saints)
Updated: January 3, 2012
Come join the Back on My Feet team at St. Francis House. [Map here]
Facility Information
“At St. Francis House, our mission and approach are simple: We believe in the worth of every human being, and we know from experience that when people have the right tools, change can happen. Big change. That’s why we provide our guests with everything they need to reclaim their dignity and rebuild their lives: nutritious meals, clothing, access to medical care, counseling, vocational rehabilitation, and housing.”
St. Francis House is the largest day shelter in New England. Located in the heart of Boston, St. Francis House has served over 800 poor and homeless men and women a day, 365 days a year. Back on My Feet is excited to complement the many services St. Francis offers.
Victor Acosta, Executive Director for Back on My Feet said, “Over the past 25 years, St. Francis has given Boston’s homeless dignity through their care and their forward looking approach to helping people get back on their feet. We look forward to helping with their mission as we run through the streets and give our members hope and dignity through their efforts.”
Team Information
Meeting Location: Park Street Church, 1 Park 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.
Featured Boston Chapter Member of the Month: Cathy Connell
Apprehension, self-doubt, and fear were probably the first thoughts that came to Cathy Connell late last summer when a couple of fellow halfway house residents suggested that she join them to run with Back on My Feet’s team at St. Francis House. Cathy was already hard at work rebuilding her life and maintaining sobriety when her friends told her how much they enjoyed running with BoMF and convinced her to give it a try.
She had physical issues with her feet that precluded her from being able to run any substantial distances, but she came on board to give it a try nonetheless and it suited her just fine. She has been getting up at 4:30 a.m. and has been running and walking with BoMF Boston faithfully ever since. In fact, she has become such a stalwart that it’s hard now to think of a Team Saints/Boston Rescue Mission morning run starting without her.
Indeed, renewed confidence replaced any initial feelings of apprehension, self-doubt, and fear last month when Cathy reached a notable landmark as she joined more than a dozen other BoMF teammates to run in her first ever road race, the Baker Memorial 5K in South Boston.
Before the race she was beaming saying how she felt, “…wonderful, great.” She wasn’t kidding. When she crossed the finish line, she smiled from ear to ear. Her teammates greeted her with congratulatory hugs as did her very proud brother, who is an accomplished runner in his own right. She said it was an important thing to do because she didn’t want to let her friends down who got her to join BoMF and she didn’t want to let herself down.
Cathy is celebrating more than six months of sobriety and will be the first to tell you how running with Back on My Feet has increased her confidence and feeling of self-worth. In her own words, “I just feel like a new person.”
Cathy’s efforts, attitude, and accomplishments are everything we look for in a Back on My Feet teammate and we are delighted to name her our Resident Member of the Month.
Read more about Roy and the rest of the St. Francis Team on the Back on My Feet blog.
