She graduated from Bismarck High School ten years ago...

And has since been named a CNN "hero of the year"... launched a non-profit organization that helps the homeless... and inspired thousands.

Now Anne Mahlum is back in her "alma mater"...sharing her story of helping homeless men and women through the power of running.

Anne's organization is called "Back on My Feet"... And all started when she would be running by homeless people in her now-hometown of Philadelphia.

Instead of running past the problem... She asked them to join her... Today, the running group builds strength and self-esteem for people from all different backgrounds, who might be down on their luck...

(Anne Mahlum/BHS Grad) "When someone reaches five miles and you just see them stand up a little taller and the pride factor is there, you know you're changing somebody's life but you're not doing it for them, you're giving them an opportunity but I don't care who you are, five miles is tough work and ten miles, 15 miles, when we're all out there doing it together it breaks down those socio-economic barriers."


Anne is sharing some of her personal struggles with addiction to reach out to young people here...

She says some of the homelesss people in Philadelphia reminded her of her dad... and his addiction problems... and that it's important for everyone, everywhere... to have a heart for the homeless.

(Anne Mahlum/CNN Hero of the Year) "Homelessness is definitely more prevalent in Philadelphia where it's on street corners and you're more familiar with it on day to day basis then you might be in Bismarck

I mean there might be kids in this school that are homeless and you'd never know it because the stereotype that kind of surrounds the issue of what someone might look like if they're homeless."


"Back on my feet" is now up and running in Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington D.C.

For more information on "Get Back on my Feet"... visit... www.back on my feet.org. watch the video | save this article / add to your favorites list