Bread And Roses

Today, April 30, 2012, our founder Mimi Fariña would have been 67-years-old.  When she died of cancer in 2001, she was way too young to leave us.  Mimi’s great gift is the strong legacy she left at Bread & Roses.

On this anniversary of her birthday, we appreciate all who continue to support our mission of hope and healing through live music. If you would like to join the Mimi Fariña Founder's Circle, please make a donation in her honor today.

In the Bread & Roses archives, there is a wonderful article by Joan Smith from the San Francisco Examiner Magazine (December 17, 1995) Heart & Soul: Mimi Fariña’s Mission of Hope. Ms. Smith talks about the relevance of  "the selfless good work of Fariña and her staff of volunteers."  It reminds us of the timeless nature of the work in which we are all engaged, connecting heart to heart through live music with those who need uplifting most. 

This week Making Music Magazine published an article on Bread & Roses and Mimi's legacy. Former Board Chair, Toby Nady composed the article. You can read the full text by following this link.

Mimi Fariña circa 1991. Photo by James Sugar, Courtesy of Bread & Roses.

As a musician, Mimi knew first-hand the impact that music could have on a person living in an institutional setting. After an early concert she gave at a half-way house she said; “I could see the need to bring music to people who are confined or suffering and not in touch with the outside world.  You don’t have to preach or say anything, you just have to be there and make the music and it gets through on another level than medication or punishment or whatever else people experience in institutional life.”

Mimi with her sister Joan (from the collection of Joan Baez).

She was inspired to start calling performers she knew and schedule them for concerts for institutional audiences.Thank you Mimi for all you did to start Bread & Roses and keep it going. In this time of great technological change and economic challenge, thanks to all who help sustain this work through your contributions of time, talent and treasure as volunteers and donors.

Mimi with Melissa Paulsen (former Mayor of Corte Madera) cutting the ribbon for Bread & Roses' current office at 233 Tamalpais Drive in Corte Madera. Photo by Jon Sievert, courtesy of Bread & Roses.