(Image source from: Dallas Morning News: Sports)
Dallas lifelong athlete and globetrotting Accenture communications leader Greg Douglass will focus his succeeding few days on "Back on My Feet", a national nonprofit that combats homelessness through running, community assist and employment and housing resources.
Douglass, a University of Texas soccer standout-turned-runner/triathlete, will race the 5K at Saturday's Meaningful Miles 5K/10K at Trinity Groves, where more than 500 runners have registered themselves. The event is anticipated to raise at least $40,000 for the local chapter.
On Monday, Douglass, 51, will receive Back on My Feet's Corporate Pacesetter Award at the New York City chapter gala.
"You can't complete a triathlon unless you put in the training, put in the time, show up every day where you're supposed to," said Douglass, who has completed four half Ironman-distance events. "Back on My Feet has applied the same concept to their program. It was a natural fit for me to want to engage."
Four years ago Douglass joined the Dallas advisory board and served nearly two years as its chair. He stepped down in September after becoming a national board member. He said he values the nonprofit's mission to give the homeless a hand up rather than a handout.
Back on My Feet recruits individuals at homeless facilities in 12 cities across the country. They commit to at least three early-morning group runs each week. Members with 90 percent attendance, after 30 days in the program gain the chance to move into the second phase, that is Next Steps.
In the second phase, the organization provides educational support, job training programs, employment partnership referrals and housing resources. Nearly 80 percent of those who begin the program move into Next Steps.
Since 2007, more than 70 percent of members have improved their lives through employment, education or housing, resulting in more than 5,500 jobs and homes. In addition, 2,100 members have completed further education, training programs or both, according to Back on My Feet statistics.
"They would testify how it was helping them get back on their feet, how their self-esteem had improved and how their prospect of leaving the homeless shelter had gone up," Douglass said. "It inspired me to want to have a bigger say."
Douglass has helped expand Accenture's partnership with the national nonprofit. He said Accenture personnel join members on early-morning runs and teach job training classes such as résumé writing and job interviewing.
Since 2011, more than 2,000 participants have attended workforce development training through Back on My Feet's strategic partnership with Accenture. In addition, Accenture and its employees have contributed more than $1.5 million to the organization.
By Sowmya Sangam
