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Run Like A Mother 5K raising money for agency that battles homelessness

Once a runner #8212; fit and active in her younger life #8212; she'd put her health and fitness low on the priority list once she became a mother. Like so many moms, her energy was poured into caring for her husband and three children.

Heller, 42, was nervous at first to sign up for the Run Like A Mother race. She wasn't in her best shape. And, besides, her family is working through more important issues than getting Mom ready for a 5K #8212; issues that don't factor into the lives of most of Heller's running companions in the race Sunday, May 13.

Heller's family had a brush with homelessness.

As the Hellers were losing their home in August, they turned to Glen Ellyn-based Bridge Communities for help.

While living in Bridge Communities' transitional housing, the family works with a mentor who helps them develop their personal finance skills, offering guidance on budgeting, reducing debt and saving for the future.

Meanwhile, they can take advantage of Bridge's employment counseling programs that offer job training, help with resumes and interview skills, and even assistance with entering or returning to higher education.

Bridge offers other aid to families in transition #8212; donated cars so families can get to job interviews, work or school; tutoring for children falling behind because they've had to switch schools.

But what hit home for Heller was advice that she take care of herself and make her health a priority. A healthy, happy mom is better able to care for her family.

The same philosophy gave rise to the Run Like A Mother races, begun in 2008 and now run on Mother's Day in 10 locations nationwide, including DuPage County. This year, a portion of the proceeds from the Run Like a Mother 5K in Hinsdale will be donated to Bridge Communities to help families return to self-sufficiency.

With a chance to help others in her situation, as well as herself, Yvonne Heller was convinced. Today, she tells us about her family's transition and what running means to her.

Yvonne Heller

In August of 2011, our family lost our home and was at risk of becoming homeless. Thanks to some friends who introduced us to Bridge Communities, we were accepted into Bridge's Transitional Housing Program and moved into our new home in September.

Since entering the program seven months ago, we've faced some challenges, but thanks to the commitment, support and encouragement of our mentors, we've navigated through those challenges and implemented what we've learned to make remarkable improvements to our situation and move us toward self-sufficiency.

There are many facets to the Bridge Program, but one thing that stands out and inspired me to participate in Run Like A Mother is the emphasis on physical well-being.

We have been so consumed with making changes to our financial habits and working on our education and employment situations that it would be easy to disregard our physical health as a priority.

However, at a recent meeting with our case manager, when we came to the point in our review of our #8220;Physical Health,#8221; I was confronted with the fact that I hadn't put any energy into that aspect of life-change. He offered me the opportunity, thanks to a scholarship, to participate in the Run Like A Mother race on Mother's Day.

Having not focused at all on my physical health over the last several years, I was hesitant to commit, as I'm #8220;out of shape#8221; and certainly in no condition to compete in a race. I had run 5Ks in the past but haven't trained or had a regular fitness regime in more than three years.

In the past, physical fitness was a huge priority for me. After the births of my three children, though (now ages 5, 6 and 8 years old), I had put their needs ahead of mine, as I'm sure many moms do.

Moreover, when we began to really suffer from the employment and housing issues we were facing, it was all I could do to keep my kids' lives as healthy and normal as possible. There wasn't time or energy left over to invest in myself. But, after reading up on RLAM, I was encouraged and inspired, particularly by the first-time runners, and mustered up the courage to sign up.

I am so excited to be running in the Run Like A Mother Race on Sunday, May 13. It has inspired me to begin investing in myself again and making my physical health a priority.

Another reason I am excited to participate is that it will raise awareness about homeless families in DuPage County and raise funds for Bridge Communities. What Bridge Communities is doing in the lives of the 100-plus families#8212; like mine #8212; that they serve every year is nothing short of remarkable.

The life change, transformation and hope they help our families achieve is not possible without the support of countless volunteers, generous donors and events like this.

Run Like a Mother Sunday in Naperville

If you go

What: Run Like a Mother 5K

Why: The women-only race encourages moms to focus on their own health; proceeds support Bridge Communities' programs helping homeless families in DuPage County

When: 8:30 a.m. Sunday, May 13

Where: Downtown Hinsdale

Cost: $40; $15 for one-mile kids run

Register: <a href="http://runlikeamotherchicago.eventbrite.com/">runlikeamotherchicago.eventbrite.com</a>

Info: <a href="http://www.runlikeamotherrace.com/">runlikeamotherrace.com</a>

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