Jon Stojan
Image credit: SoleTies Run Club
In the U.S. and worldwide, human connection has been weighed down by geopolitics and plagued by mental health challenges, a domino effect of the external force. The need for an authentic connection has never been greater now more than ever. Yet, for many, community feels elusive. That is why SoleTies Run Club, co-founded by Robel Yemane, is rewriting that narrative. “At SoleTies, we build community first,” he shares.
Founded as a nonprofit, the Houston-based SoleTies Run Club isn’t for fitness. It is a vehicle for belonging, vulnerability, and healing, especially for those who’ve felt out of place, unseen, or unsupported. The weekly Wednesday and Saturday runs are just the entry point. What follows is something much deeper.
In today’s world, where even family relationships can feel transactional, SoleTies offers a countercultural approach rooted in unconditional support. “People have forgotten that real love is unconditional,” Yemane states. “Community is not just ‘showing up’ at a date and time. It’s doing life with people.”
That mission is evident in every aspect of the club. Members are encouraged to introduce themselves with their name, hometown (if they’re comfortable), and an interesting fact, not their job title or business. Why? Because SoleTies isn’t a networking group. It is a safe haven. “Most people walk through life knowing a lot of people, but with no one to truly talk to,” Yemane shares. “That’s especially true for most men.”
One member recently opened up about battling depression after a heartbreak, sharing with Yemane that he had avoided the runs because he didn’t want anyone to see him cry. They’d met barely twice, but that was enough for him to feel safe reaching out. This emphasis on emotional safety is especially poignant in a city like Houston, where, as Yemane puts it, “People move here looking for community, but often leave because they never find it.” SoleTies wants to be the reason they stay.
With over a dozen volunteer leads and growing, SoleTies has created a robust infrastructure to meet people where they are—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Whether it’s trail support, pre-run stretches, media content, or post-run fellowship, every role serves a singular purpose: connection.
SoleTies Run Club may start with a run, but it doesn’t end there. Under its nonprofit umbrella, the organization is launching several community-focused committees—all funded by donations and partnerships. One of them is community outreach, hosting monthly events such as health fairs, fundraisers, elder support initiatives, and foster care drives. The organization also has a men’s wellness day once a month where they can freely speak their hearts out, decompress, and share a meal. There’s also a Saturday morning prayer and motivational message, in partnership with a local nonprofit leader and spiritual guide.
The nonprofit has a wellness team offering first aid, stretching support, and guidance on physical health. As Yemane puts it, “At SoleTies, you come to get your run in—but you leave with snacks, drinks, encouragement, prayer, and maybe a new friend.”
Part of what sets SoleTies apart is its radical inclusivity. Introverts, newcomers, and even the emotionally guarded are welcomed intentionally. “We make sure no one leaves without having a one-on-one connection,” Yemane says. “Especially the quiet ones. We go to them.”
Image credit: SoleTies Run Club
Every initiative is infused with SoleTies’ five pillars: Empowerment, Community, Consistency, Accountability, and Faith. These values aren’t just slogans—they’re the soil from which the SoleTies community is growing. Yemane reflects, “We’re successful because we’re consistent. And if we keep showing up and pouring love into people every week, eventually that consistency shifts mindsets.”
In a time when communities are often commodified, SoleTies represents a powerful return to humanity. “This isn’t about status checks or business cards, it’s not about how you can add value, it’s about getting to know the individual,” Yemane says. “We want transformational relationships—not transactional ones.”
That transformation is already happening. Whether through a vulnerable message from a heartbroken runner or the joy of a group stretch led by someone who once felt invisible, the ripple effects are undeniable.
Looking ahead, SoleTies plans to expand its digital presence, forge new partnerships, and launch a mentorship program. But at its core, the mission remains the same: to offer a space where people feel loved, seen, and empowered—on and off the trail.
Learn more about upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and how to join the movement by visiting its Instagram.