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Armando Gonzalez knows all too well the difference a person’s foot health can make. As a cross country runner, the junior at Belen Jesuit Preparatory School has a deep appreciation for the right shoes and having strong feet.
“When you get out of bed the first thing that touches the ground are your feet, and if you are not taking care of them it’s going to hurt to walk, run or even move around,” Gonzalez said.
He founded Save Our Soles in 2020 to provide much needed new shoes and advocate for foot care, with the goal to support the less fortunate in our community. The idea to deliver this service to the residents at Chapman Partnership came quite naturally to him, stemming from a family holiday tradition.
“When I was four years old my father started taking me every year to be one of his elves on Christmas when he dressed as Santa Claus at the holiday party for the Chapman residents. Then from about age eight, my siblings and I would all go to help prepare and serve food.”
That experience instilled in Gonzalez a desire to further his connection to Chapman and has resulted in two Save Our Soles events at the Miami Chapman location. Along with volunteers including Dr. Frank Olivia, podiatrist, Gonzalez has donated over 200 new shoes and foot checkups to men women and children who have lived unsheltered lives. Gonzalez says their gratitude for the simple experience was incredible, and humbling.
“It felt great to bring such joy to people by just acknowledging that they truly mattered. The residents share with me so many stories of how their trials and tribulations have gotten them here, but that us serving them gives them hope that it will all get better. One of the residents had come for the first event and at the second event I saw him wearing the shoes he had received, and he was ecstatic to get another pair.”
Gonzalez hopes to grow this event and continue to inspire others to serve. He also pointed out that the supplies for these events are in part thanks to the generosity of Miami-Dade Commissioner Rebeca Sosa and Miami Dade County.
For more information on Save Our Soles contact aagonzalez3200@gmail.com
Chapman Partnership was founded in 1995 and operates two Homeless Assistance Centers with 800 beds located in Miami and Homestead. The nonprofit provides a comprehensive and innovative “village” of support for homeless men, women, and children. The support includes housing, meals, health and psychiatric care, daycare, job training, job placement, and assistance with securing stable housing. At Chapman, aided by generous donors and sponsors, we empower the homeless, providing the tools and hope necessary to build a positive, independent future. An award-winning organization, Chapman is designated as a top ranked four-star charity from nationally recognized nonprofit evaluator Charity Navigator. Chapman Partnership is a private sector partner of the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust. Learn more at www.chapmanpartnership.org.
