Mission & History
"I’ve championed and participated in Bread & Roses since 1974 when my sister, the late Mimi Farina, founded the organization. Mimi’s loving commitment to uplifting those less fortunate is the reason her legacy continues to this day"
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- Joan Baez
Mission
Bread & Roses is dedicated to uplifting the human spirit by presenting free, live performing arts programs to people who are isolated, institutionalized or otherwise marginalized. Our performances provide:
Enrichment
Bread & Roses shows enrich the soul and promote wellness through the healing power of the performing arts.
Community
We create a sense of community for our volunteer performers in which they can donate their talents to inspire and be inspired
Opportunity
We provide an opportunity for non-performing volunteers to contribute a variety of skills and resources that support our humanitarian services and increase the impact on our community.
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History
The need for hope and healing through live music is as great today as it has ever been. The late Mimi Fariña was a visionary when she started Bread & Roses in 1974. A folk music star, she rose to fame in the mid-'60s in a duo with her husband the late Richard Fariña. From the early days, she was conscious of the ways that performers as well as audiences could benefit from increased opportunities to connect directly with each other.
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Inspired by a 1912 poem by James Oppenheim, Mimi Fariña selected "Bread & Roses" to convey the spirit of the nonprofit she founded when she started bringing her musician friends to do shows for isolated youth, adults and seniors in neighboring institutions. Five decades later, Bread & Roses presents over 500 shows a year for Bay Area audiences who are most in need of uplifting.
Over the years, Bread & Roses has received awards for its community impact and effectiveness. Many other like-minded organizations worldwide have been inspired by our work to start related programs. Executive Director Dave Perron guides the agency today in bringing music and the performing arts to our neighbors most in need
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Become a part of Bread & Roses history, volunteer and/or donate.