New running team for HVAF of Indiana, Inc. veterans

Homeless veterans, who are provided housing and other basic needs through HVAF of Indiana, Inc., will lace up their running shoes to take part in a new running program, and their first run is scheduled at 5:45 a.m. on Monday, February 27, at HVAF headquarters in Downtown Indianapolis, 964 N. Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204. The goal isn't to cross the finish line first but to gain self-sufficiency through running.

Over the past eleven months, Back on My Feet and HVAF have developed a strong partnership. HVAF recently opened Manchester Apartments, a fifty-one bed facility, connected to HVAF headquarters. The Residential, Employment, and Substance Abuse Treatment Program (REST) is also connected to HVAF headquarters and is a twenty-two bed intensive, highly structured supportive housing program that addresses addictions and recovery for homeless veterans. Veterans who live in the Manchester Apartments and those in the REST program will both be given the opportunity to join the new team. Runners meet each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 5:30 a.m. for six to nine months.

President & CEO of HVAF, Dr. Charles Haenlein, can already see the value of this partnership. “Partnering with Back on My Feet has been beneficial in uplifting and motivating HVAF homeless veteran clients. The determination of these veterans is a sight to see. Back on My Feet has not only provided an opportunity to HVAF clients, but it has also allowed them to individually commit to running towards self-sufficiency.”

The new team will launch with twelve veterans experiencing homelessness and thirty volunteer runners. HVAF Teams Warman, Manchester and Team Progress House will join together to celebrate the beginning of the journey toward self-sufficiency for the new members. There will be over 100 people in attendance at the first run on February 27, 2012.

Learn more about the running program in the February 21, 2012, Indy Star article.