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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Members and staff of Back on My Feet Austin are |
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gathering at the State Capitol on February 25, 2015, and their visit |
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provides a fitting opportunity to recognize this outstanding |
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organization; and |
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WHEREAS, Affiliated with the national nonprofit group Back on |
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My Feet, the Austin chapter uses the activity of running to help |
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persons facing the challenge of homelessness to achieve |
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self-sufficiency and stability in their lives; the organization |
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evolved from a running club that Anne Mahlum started in |
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Philadelphia in 2007 for men living in a local shelter; Ms. Mahlum |
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believed that consistent participation in the group could help |
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members to turn their lives around by gaining confidence in |
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themselves as disciplined, hardworking, reliable individuals; her |
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faith proved well founded, as those who committed to the regular |
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morning runs began to develop a healthy self-image; moreover, |
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through the support and encouragement they provided each other, the |
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runners began to experience a welcome sense of community; and |
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WHEREAS, In a short time, volunteers were enlisted in the |
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cause, and connections were made with local employers to help those |
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who were ready to take steps toward independent living; the program |
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now enables participants to attend financial literacy and |
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skill-building courses offered by corporate and nonprofit |
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partners, as well as receive assistance with job placement and with |
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securing housing; to date, nearly half of the homeless participants |
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have attained employment, housing, or both through the program, and |
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close to 75 percent have collaborated with staff to devise a plan of |
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action for attaining those goals; and |
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WHEREAS, Back on My Feet now has 11 affiliates nationwide; |
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the chapter in Austin was launched in January 2013, and since that |
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time, it has seen notable progress, with 78 members having gained |
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employment, 33 having found homes, and another 19 having received |
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access to educational programs; and |
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WHEREAS, By taking part in Back on My Feet Austin, |
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participants are working to build for themselves a brighter future, |
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and it is a privilege to commend all those who have pledged to |
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undertake that journey, as well as the caring staff members who have |
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stood beside them; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby welcome members of Back on My Feet Austin to the |
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State Capitol and extend to all program participants sincere best |
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wishes for continued success; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the group as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |