The Women's Home

In September 2005 BTFL introduced a walking program at The Womens Home, a long term residential treatment facility for women in crisis located in the Montrose area. Volunteers walk with the women three days per week and sponsor them in several local 5K races throughout the year. An opportunity to walk consistently provides residents with the many health benefits of regular physical activity. But it also offers so much more. The group dynamic provides emotional and spiritual support in a casual and fun atmosphere and offers the opportunity for new residents to connect with their new environment. Volunteers are inspired each week by the courage and strength of these women as they work to rebuild lives that have often been shattered by addiction, depression or abuse. Everyone enjoys the beautiful neighborhood as well as the laughter, encouragement and camaraderie that are shared together.

The mission of the Women's Home is to "help women in crisis regain their self esteem and dignity, empowering them to return to society as productive, self sufficient individuals." At BTFL we help them do just that.

For more information visit their website at www.thewomenshome.org.

3D Academy

In September 2006 Beyond The Finish Line launched its third program at 3D Academy, a KIPP charter middle school located in one of Houstons poorer neighborhoods in the northeast part of town. KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) is an academically intensive college preparatory public middle school network that begins working proactively with students from fifth through eighth grade. KIPP students commit to an extended school day that includes four hours on Saturdays.

Volunteers from BTFL are supporting six elective classes at 3D Academy: softball, flag football, volleyball, cross country running and two 5K programs. Classes are held every other Saturday from 9:30 to 12:30. Each class is one hour long and includes 25-30 students per class. These students are highly motivated, dedicated and hard working. They enjoy working with the volunteers and can earn credits for the school store by working on their fitness activities in the two week time period between classes. Equipment is provided by BTFL through generous donations.

For more information visit their website at www.3dacademy.org.

Monarch School

Beyond The Finish Line introduced a program for 13-18 year old girls at the Monarch School in the Spring Branch area. The Monarch School was established in 1998 to serve the special education needs of children with neurological differences whose diagnoses include learning disability, attention deficit disorder, Autism, Tourette's Syndrome, Asperger's Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder and Dyslexia.

Volunteers from BTFL work with selected students for one hour twice per week using mini trampolines, exercise peanuts, hip hop dance moves, stretching and other moderate exercises. Students get regular physical activity in a fun and flexible environment where they learn to use their creativity and teamwork skills to design their own dance moves, create exercise routines and work together as a group. Volunteers provide a nurturing and safe environment that coaxes the shy and introverted students into the fun, creative activities that foster self esteem and encourage physical wellness.

For more information visit their website at www.monarchschool.org.

The Wesley Community Center

In 2008, BTFL partnered with OASIS to bring fitness instruction and activity to Wesley's senior adults. Volunteers work with the seniors one day a week to provide information and training on how to incorporate a variety of activities into their daily lives with the goal of improving their fitness, flexibility, balance and overall quality of life.

Moderate activity and dancing is incorporated into the sessions and line dancing lessons are planned to begin in August 2008. The seniors come alive when the
music starts and they work with the volunteers and each other to be active, energized and enthusiastic about improving their health.

Wesley is a 100 year old community center serving the Northside Village community of Houston. Through its childhood services, youth initiatives, senior programs, and emergency assistance for families, Wesley positively affects the lives of over 16,000 individuals a year.

OASIS is a national nonprofit educational organization designed to enhance the quality of life for mature adults.

For more information visit their website at www.wesleyhousehouston.org.