Access to proper, supportive footwear is a critical, yet often overlooked, health need for medically underserved and housing-insecure populations. Many individuals in these communities live active lifestyles out of necessity, relying on walking as their primary mode of transportation or working physically demanding jobs. Studies show that people experiencing homelessness walk an average of 10 or more miles per day, often in worn-out or ill-fitting shoes. As a result, foot and ankle conditions are common and frequently go untreated due to a lack of resources and access to appropriate footwear.
Dr. White, a local podiatrist and founder of Dayton Has Sole, has witnessed firsthand how inadequate footwear poses a major barrier to treating foot-related medical conditions. While programs exist to provide shoes for children in our community, there is a significant gap in support specifically for adults.
Dayton Has Sole addresses this need through a structured support program that includes eligibility screening, professional shoe fittings through community partnerships, and subsidized shoe purchases made possible through fundraising and donor support.
By improving foot health, Dayton Has Sole strengthens individual well-being, supports workforce participation, and contributes to a healthier, more resilient Daytoncommunity.
Here are some examples of the worn-down shoes we've seen.
