'When was the last time you hugged a homeless person?'

"When was the last time you hugged a homeless person?"

This may not be a great cocktail-party question, but it has helped me start many discussions regarding the homeless crisis we're facing in San Francisco (a recent United Nations report called it a 'violation of human rights') Like the weather, everyone is talking about it, but few people are doing something about it. For many years I had been feeling helpless with the daily reminder of this issue, until Back on My Feet finally expanded to the Bay Area two years ago and have been glad to be part of it's launch.

In just two years, we've been able to accomplish many things:

• Served over 250 individuals
• Helped over 60 members find stable employment
• Supported 30 members as they moved into housing
• Provided members with financial assistance for first month's rent & deposit, certification & training fees, materials for school, debt repayment, traffic ticket payments and more to remove barriers.
• Increased number of volunteers and also solidified corporate partnerships with new one's like Schwab and the Warriors
• Our 2nd Annual Gala exceeded expectations in terms of attendees and raised $220,000

Personally, it has helped me in many ways. I've met some incredible individuals that are doing their best to get back on track in life. There is nothing more humbling than hearing someone tell you they could not sleep well because they were worried that their few remaining items would be stolen -again. It has made me be even more appreciative of everything that I have and inspired to give more. It has also helped me gain a better perspective with annoyances like a delayed flight, an endless meeting, or other mundane daily inconveniences that pale in comparison with the real challenges other's face.

The runs at 5:45 AM have been always an inspiration. On these runs we're all the same and it's sometimes hard to distinguish members from volunteers. And here's where the hugging part comes, we greet each other with a hug and before and after every run we gather in a circle. I was once moved to tears when a member told me that nobody had hugged him in two years! We also wait for every runner to come back and sometimes do the 'Welcome Back Tunnel'. Every single time this happens, I feel charged up knowing that a few people can make a difference in each other's lives.

You too can also help make a difference. There are many ways to get involved: volunteer, get educated on the issue, see if your company has matching funds or grants or simply help spread the word of this great non-profit. (We now operate in 13 cities, with Denver being the latest chapter, so if you're not in the Bay Area, your can still make an impact in other communities also facing this crisis) And the easiest thing to do is to contribute something, even if it's just a small amount.

On #GivingTuesday, I'll be testing the power of my LinkedIn network and hope with your help we can make a dent. 100 individuals represents less than 5% of my network: Can I get 100 of you to donate $100? (This year your donation can go even further in helping transform lives with a matching donation up to $100k through Thomas' Breads and also Facebook.) Can you help spread the word by sharing or liking post?

Thank you,

Fernando

Link to fundraising page: https://give.backonmyfeet.org/fernandocorredor

If you'd like some additional reading or information: here's how the program works: https://backonmyfeet.org/program/how-it-works/

Here's a story of one of our members: https://backonmyfeet.org/uncategorized/national-hunger-homelessness-awareness-week-ronnie/