New Jerusalem Now
Updated: March 3, 2010
WELCOME TO TEAM NEW JERUSALEM!
The momentum continued in February as New Jerusalem expanded to a record number of members! We’re excited to welcome Residential members Jeffrey "Shobazz" Johnson, Terrance Graham, David "Doug" Taylor, and James McQueen Jr. Additionally we’ve added John Dwyer and the Temple Girls Soccer Team as our latest non-Residential members.
We’d like to congratulate David B. and Katy for being our Residential and non-Residential members of the month! David brings lots of excitement and skill to our group each morning. And we’d like to thank Katy for not only being a dedicated member, but also for convincing her fellow Temple soccer players to join us every Friday! Each Friday half of the soccer team joins New Jerusalem and the other half joins Ridge. Thanks David and Katy for all that you do!
We’re also very busy in regards to Next Steps. Georgetta continues to enjoy her culinary classes, Robert H. has enrolled in classes for his GED, Tina loves her employment with Stolker Properties as a housekeeper, and Kevin has obtained a job as a driver for the elderly and children with special needs.
Congratulations to all our members who completed the Frostbite 5miler (this was a very hilly 5 miles!) Member of the month, David, led the way and finished in a speedy 39:17. Close behind was Alumni member Kenny Jervey who also finished in under 40 minutes! Congrats to Kevin, Tina, Katy, Katie, and Andy for great efforts as well.
Our next race is the Caesar Rodney 5k and Half Marathon in Wilmington, DE. We’re extra excited for this race as many of our Residential members are from Wilmington. Come out and support us on Sunday March 21st.
For more information on the team or New Jerusalem please contact the team leader at Suzanne@backonmyfeet.org. We’re always looking for new people to join our team, please feel free to visit us bright and early M,W,F at 5:40am!
TEAM INFORMATION
Inaugural Run: July 7, 2008
Location: 2011 W. Norris St., Philadelphia, PA (Temple University Area) map
Morning Runs: 5:40 AM (M, W, F)
Distance: 1 - 4 miles
VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH: KATY GRAY
"I love when the group comes together and we say the serenity poem.
Also jogging in the middle of the street, when the city is still asleep, and if we’re lucky, running toward the sun rising.
Some days just running to the sounds of the pavement or chit chatting along, but everyday I leave in high spirits from this awesome group of people."
MEMBER OF THE MONTH: DAVID B.
"My favorite part about Back on My Feet is that I can get back into running again. I recently completed the 5 mile race in Ambler and finally got to compete again. I remember coming up the last hill and having someone come up behind me and say 'keep going, David!' That is the kind of encouragement I enjoy from Back on My Feet."
FEATURED MEMBER: ROBERT GREEN
Robert Green's first mile wasn't easy.
"It was painful," he says.
Eight months later, Robert, 44, who had joined the Back on My Feet New Jerusalem Now team at 20th and Norris, is so much further along.
Called by a program director "the strong and silent type," Robert became a team leader and continues to run longer than he ever has before. In the fall, the Camden native joined classes at the Metropolitan Career Center on South Broad Street and continued to lead by example. He steamrolled through his course load and, in recent weeks, used a portion of his BOMF grant to enroll in a real estate license program, with plans for more education still.
“I want others to know that BOMF really helps you," says Robert, who is short and stout, with a shaved head, a frequent smile and a thick mustache that hugs his lips. "There are many really good people involved in the process of helping."
Robert has quickly become a valued part of the team.
"He’s been such a great member at New Jerusalem and to see him keep pursuing greater education goals is so exciting” says BOMF Program Director Wylie Belasik.
With no plans of stopping, he might add.
"As long as you stay focused and use all of the opportunities and resources that BOMF offers," Robert says, " You will be well on the way."
