Our Story: Why We Exist

Poverty in South Texas is rarely caused by a single issue—it is a closed loop created by compounding barriers. A neighbor seeking employment might find a job, but without interview attire, reliable transit, or basic nutritional security, keeping that job becomes an uphill battle.

Traditional charities often address only one fragment of this struggle. When a family must visit five different agencies across multiple cities just to stabilize their daily lives, the system itself becomes a barrier.

Back on Your Feet was founded in Edinburg, Texas, to change that paradigm. By bringing essential services together under one unified model, we eliminate the friction between crisis relief and economic stability.

How We Work: The "Social General Contractor" Model

Just as a general contractor coordinates specialized trades to build a sturdy structure, Back on Your Feet integrates five essential program pillars to rebuild economic independence:

  • FUEL (The Harvest Floor): Ensuring immediate nutritional security through a fresh-produce choice market paired with bilingual health education.

  • IMAGE (The Career Boutique): Restoring dignity and professional confidence through curated work attire, school uniforms, and interview preparation.

  • PATH (The Opportunity Lab): Driving workforce development with digital literacy tools, resume building, and direct connections to local RGV employers.

  • MOTION (The Ride Program): Solving the "last-mile" commute gap by providing subsidized bus passes and transit grants to keep new workers on the job.

  • SAFETY (Health & Benefits Literacy): Empowering families with objective, third-party navigation for state safety-net programs, Medicaid, and public benefits.

Governance & Ethical Integrity

Public trust is the foundation of our work. Back on Your Feet operates under strict governance standards to ensure total transparency, fiscal responsibility, and community accountability:

1. Official 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Status

Back on Your Feet is formally recognized as a public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (EIN: 37-2241179). All contributions are 100% tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.

2. Strict Operational Firewalls

We maintain a strict, mandatory firewall between our non-profit community programs and any external commercial interests. Specifically, our SAFETY pillar provides neutral, non-commercial public health literacy and benefits navigation; no commercial insurance sales, brokerage activities, or commissioned transactions ever take place within or benefit the non-profit.

Embedded in the Rio Grande Valley

 

Headquartered at 2011 Terrica Ln , Edinburg, TX 78539, our organization is deeply rooted in the culture and community of South Texas. We actively collaborate with local municipal governments, school districts, chambers of commerce, and regional health coalitions to multiply our collective impact across Hidalgo County and beyond.

Join Us in Building the Future

Real community transformation requires strong partners. Whether you are a local business owner sponsoring a transit grant, a municipal leader building local infrastructure, or a neighbor giving your time, your support powers the bridge to self-sufficiency.

"I can't say enough about the outstanding service I received from your company. Their team went above and beyond to meet our needs and exceeded our expectations."

Oliver Hartman