Newspaper Page Text
MEETINGS
PEDS hosts a panel discussion Aug. 10,
5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on bike and street crossing
treatments. 999 Peachtre St., 5th Floor.
peds.org.
Buckhead Council of
Neighborhoods meetings
resume Aug. 11 from 6:45
to 8:30 p.m. at Peachtree
COUNCIL Presbyterian Church, Room
of NEIGHBORHOODS ,
2315. buckheadcouncil.org.
Atlanta City Council is in summer recess
until Aug. 15, when the next meeting will be
held at 1 p.m. at city hall, citycouncil.atlanta.
gov.
MARTA is testing a new double-decker
bus that seats 100 people on different
routes around the city during August.
The Fulton County Commission voted
to spend up to $55 million to renovate
Atlanta's Central Library, scuttling
plans to build a new facility Downtown.
The Atlanta Police Department says
it will have body cameras for its officers
within the next year, starting with Zone 4
and atthe airport.
MARTA is working with nonprofit Soccer
in the Streets on an idea to install a small
soccer pitch in the west plaza at Five Points
station in Downtown.
Atunnel-boring machine starts its five-mile
journey in
September
from the old
Bellwood
Quarry
to the
Chattahoochee River to create a new 2.4
billion gallon water storage reservoir for the
city, nn
ON THE
AGENDA
14 August 2016 i na
Back on My Feet
Organization helps homeless through running program, events
Cycling Made Easier
MARTA installing bike repair kiosks at transit stations
Atlanta cyclists can now ensure their bicycles are secure and road-ready by using the
new self-service repair kiosks and bike racks installed by MARTA.
The conveniently located racks are part of MARTA’s ongoing efforts to make it easier
for cyclists to use the transit system, and more are scheduled for installation.
Bike kiosks and racks are currently installed at transit stations including Lindbergh
Center, Ashby, Edgewood/Candler Park, Five Points, FT. E. Fiolmes, North Avenue and
West End. Later this summer, the remainder of MARTA’s 38 stations will be outfitted
with the kiosks.
Equipped with the necessary tools for bike maintenance and repair — from
inflating a flat to tightening handlebars — the repair kiosks were paid for separately by a
crowdfunding campaign sponsored by IOBY (In-Our-Back-Yards), an organization that
helps neighbors grow and implement great ideas one block at a time. Other contributors
to the crowdfunding campaign are the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition, Lanier Parking and
MailChimp.
“People who bike to places in Atlanta oftentimes rely on MARTA to help them go
farther, especially in areas that aren’t yet connected to the city’s growing network of bike
lanes and trails,” said Rebecca Serna, executive director of the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition.
“Knowing that you’re able to make a quick repair; secure your bike and catch the train to
your destination can make a difference in how accessible the city is.” Id
The BoMF residential and non-residential finishers atthe 2013 Allstate 13.1 race.
By ClareS. Richie
It’s 5:45 a.m. on a humid summer
morning when runners gather outside the
Salvation Army office in Downtown. On this
day, Back on My Feet Team 26 is comprised
of about 10 volunteers from all over metro
Atlanta and three shelter residents. Everyone
greets each other with a hug.
Operating in 11 major U.S. cities,
Back on My Feet (BoMF) uses running
and community to motivate and support
individuals from homelessness to
independence. The five-year-old Atlanta
chapter has served nearly 400 people, of
which 131 are employed and 117 found
housing thanks to hundreds of volunteers
and generous corporate and foundation
support. Nationally, the organization has
collectively run over 500,000 miles.
Franco is one of the shelter residents
involved in BoMF. FTe had worked in
manufacturing as an executive assistant,
but when his mom died, his life fell apart.
Running has brightened his outlook. “It
adds a lot to my day to get up early and run
because I feel so much better during the day,”
Franco said. Lie’s been running for three
weeks now and is almost ready to transition
into the next phase of support.
BoMF recruits men and women,
many of who are veterans, at homeless
and residential facilities. These residential
members commit to run three days a week
in the early morning. After 30 days in the
program, those with 90 percent attendance
are provided with a personalized support
plan.
“BoMF helps our members navigate
housing, employment, education and
transportation while advocating for them
to enroll in services,” Angela Carter, local
executive director of the Atlanta chapter of
BoMF, explained.
She said running boosts self-esteem and
proves accountability. “If you are willing to
get up early and run three times per week
— you may be ready to receive and retain
employment,” Carter commented.
After warm-up stretches, the group
gathers for a team hug and serenity prayer,
then hits the pavement.
It’s Wednesday, so the run is led by
Martin Chen, who has been volunteering
with BoMF since 2011. FTe loves to run and
sees the resident members as his running
buddies.
“With BoMF, they get a sense of
belonging to something bigger than
themselves. Running transforms their
lives — gives them a sense of purpose and
achievement,” Chen said.
But Karl needs to walk because he is
recovering from back surgery even though
the college track competitor in him wants
to push harder. “[At the Salvation Army],
I noticed a lot of guys wearing blue shoes,”
Karl said.
In addition to receiving sneakers donated
by Mizuno, BoMF residential runners earn
other awards like a medal, dry-fit shirt, watch
or hoodie as they reach mileage milestones.
Franco and Karl are striving to follow in
the footsteps of alumni members like Eugene
FTardy, who has achieved employment and
housing. FTardy, recently recognized at the
BoMF fifth anniversary bash, was a combat
veteran before becoming homeless. Today he
is a thriving employee with Chick-fil-A and
has his own apartment.
“BoMF is the most inspirational team
members I could ever have. That first day was
so awesome. I didn’t know what to expect.
When I first arrived, I ran across this young
lady named Lisa and she just hugged me.
We’ve just been like family ever since,” FTardy
said.
In five years, the Atlanta chapter of
BoMF has become a viable member of the
continuum of care for the homeless. It built
a strong advisory board with representation
from FTome Depot, AT&T, UPS, Mizuno,
Samsung and Marriott. Foundations like
United Way of Greater Atlanta and the
Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta
have also embraced this unique nonprofit.
“We have made believers out of the
people in Atlanta,” Carter said.
The Ponce City Market 5K benefiting
BoMF will be held Aug. 13 at 8 a.m. in
FTistoric Fourth Ward Park. To sign up for
the race, visit atlanta.backonmyfeet.org. QD
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