Best Foot Forward : To Podiatrist-Philanthropist, Route to a Better Life Starts With a Better Pair of Shoes
While Dr. Michael Levi volunteered at the Venice Family Clinic, he saw one aspect of the lives of the poor and homeless with a podiatrist’s eye: foot problems caused by poverty.
“I saw a lot of patients who had poor shoe gear, and some not wearing socks,” says Levi, 33, a Santa Monica podiatrist who founded the Venice clinic’s foot-care unit in 1988. “They had problems that would easily be solved with the proper gear. You really use your feet a lot--the average person walks six miles a day, which is equivalent, I think, to three times around the world by the time you’re 60. So it’s important to cover your feet properly.”
In addition to health and hygiene, many temporarily homeless people also need suitable foot garb to apply for jobs.
In a 1992 New Year’s letter to his private patients, Levi, who is also on the clinic’s board of directors and a staff member at St. John’s and Westside hospitals, included a plea for donations of new or nearly new shoes. He added a pitch for socks in this year’s patient letter, inspired by the unusually rainy weather.
His yield thus far: about 5,000 pairs of shoes--1,500 this year--and 1,000 pairs of socks.
In addition to private donations, Levi has recruited local shoe shops: rather than throwing away old athletic shoes, customers can drop them in a box provided by the store. Local churches have also asked their congregations to gather shoes and socks.
The footwear is distributed primarily through the Venice Family Clinic’s Enrichment Program, a federally funded, five-year endeavor that assists low-income families who are expecting a baby or have a child under a year old.
“People will drop off shoes at my office when they come in for an appointment,” Levi says, “but we try to get them to drop them off at the clinic. We want them to see what the facility is, who they’re helping.”
About 10 months ago, People Assisting the Homeless (PATH) began reaping some of the benefits of Levi’s efforts. His friend Bruce Rosen, a businessman and PATH volunteer, picks up shoes and socks every two weeks for the enterprise’s two West Los Angeles shelters.
“PATH puts 70% to 80% of their people back into society,” Levi says. “They don’t need only tennis or walking shoes. The women need high heels for job interviews.”
“We get more women’s shoes than men’s, and least of all children’s,” Levi says, “which is probably what we need the most because kids’ feet are always changing sizes.
“I get a lot of joy out of helping people,” says Levi. “If all doctors pitched in, we could help solve some of the problems. It’s easy to participate in helping someone else.”
Readers may contact Levi at (310) 829-3636.
This column tells the stories of the unsung heroes of Southern California, people of all ages and vocations and avocations, whose dedication as volunteers or on the job makes life better for the people they encounter. The column is published every other Monday. Reader suggestions are welcome and may be sent to Local Hero Editor, The View Section, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053.
