A Rising Leader Reflects on Their Race HOME
In 2021, my husband, one-year-old son, and I returned to my hometown of Philadelphia. After living far from family during the pandemic, and with a new baby, I was thrilled to be back among loved ones, old friends, and the community I’d missed so much.
But while we were gone, Philly changed. Friends had moved, neighborhoods looked different, and my remote job made it hard to feel settled. Despite being home, I felt like a stranger in the city I’d known most of my life.
By 2024, I felt determined and inspired to reconnect through service. With rising home costs and skyrocketing inflation affecting so many, I began focusing my volunteering and personal giving on human services organizations. To me, being part of a community means showing up for all our neighbors. I was grateful to discover Project HOME, an organization whose mission to end homelessness and alleviate poverty through empowerment aligned perfectly with my values.
Finding Project HOME came at the perfect time. Their annual Race HOME was just around the corner, offering an easy and meaningful way to get involved. As a bonus, the event included a 1-mile fun walk, which I knew my now four-year-old son would be excited to join.
The opportunity to create a fundraising page made it easy for my friends and family, near and far, to participate. I was surprised by how simple the process was. Just three steps:
1. Register as an individual fundraiser or create a team.
2. Follow the prompts to set up a fundraising page and set your personal or team goal.
3. Share the page with family, friends, and your network to amplify the call to action and raise funds.
Race day arrived, and despite the gray, drizzly weather, the energy at Lloyd Hall was electric. Donna Bullock, Project HOME’s new President and CEO, delivered a rousing welcome at her first official Race HOME. The grounds were filled with supporters and sponsors, ready to race and cheer each other on. My son still talks about the hat he received from a sponsor. He calls it his “trophy” for, in his words, “winning the race.”
That day, I also learned about Project HOME’s Rising Leaders Committee, a group of young professionals connecting through service to support their community. I felt inspired and curious about their involvement with Project HOME.
Soon after, I connected with a Rising Leader while volunteering at Kate’s Place, one of Project HOME’s permanent supportive housing residences. I officially joined the committee not long after. I found a vibrant, welcoming group where members are encouraged to show up as their authentic selves and use their talents to support a shared mission: ending and preventing chronic street homelessness in Philadelphia.
It’s a true collective, where the contributions of many add up to something meaningful.
Looking back on this past year, I can’t help but think: if it weren’t for last year’s Race HOME, I might still be searching for my community. I’m deeply grateful to Project HOME and the Rising Leaders for helping me feel at home again. I hope you will join the Rising Leaders and the Project HOME community at the starting line on Saturday, October 11, at Lloyd Hall on Boathouse Row.
To get involved in the 5th Annual Race HOME, presented by the Pennsylvania Apartment Association, please visit our registration page!
