Feel Good Friday - Bread & Roses

Happy Feel Good Friday! I learned of today's group, Bread and Roses Presents, through my friend Gemma Bulos who volunteers with them. You may remember Gemma from her Inspiration Safari video interview in 2014 and if you don't you should check it out!

Yes, yes but what exactly is Bread and Roses, you ask? Luckily for me, they provide a paragraph on their website that gives you a quick explanation:

"Bread and Roses mission is to uplift the human spirit by providing free, live, high-quality entertainment to those who are institutionalize or isolated.  Since its founding in 1974 they have produced over 10,000 performances for more than 300,000 individuals of all ages and ethnic groups. Every year they produce more than 600 shows in 125 facilities. More than once a day, on average, a Bread and Roses show is creating hope, healing and joy somewhere in the San Francisco Bay Area."

Established by singer-songwriter and activist, Mimi Farina, a pool of 1400 volunteers donate their time as performers, hosts or event and office staff. Concerts take place in children's day care centers, senior day programs, drug rehab programs, detention centers and more. You can check out the full list of facilities served and get a detailed breakdown of the shows and audiences here.

As they point out on the website, "there is no other organization in the San Francisco Bay Area that systematically brings live entertainment to seniors, adults and children in need." 

Is there any way to see what a show is like if you're not a resident of one of these institutions or a volunteer? Of course there is! You can watch short videos on the Bread and Roses Facebook page. 

To support the work of bringing "hope and healing through live music", become a volunteer, attend the Spring Benefit Concert on May 26th or show your love with a like on the Facebook page and a follow on Twitter @BreadAndRosesCA.