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Who We Are
Our founder, the late Mimi Fariña, was a musician who understood the healing power of live music and the performing arts for those facing challenging times while living apart from family and friends. The organization she founded in 1974 is now a steadfast Bay Area nonprofit in its fifth decade. Nearly 300 performers, program hosts, and other volunteers help over 500 shows go on each year for more than 54,000 audience members in eight San Francisco Bay Area counties.
Our Mission
We are dedicated to uplifting the human spirit by providing free, live, quality entertainment to people who live in institutions or are otherwise isolated from society.
Our History
Founded by the late Mimi Fariña in 1974, Bread & Roses takes its name from a 1912 James Oppenheim poem which says, “Hearts starve as well as bodies, Give us bread, but give us roses.”
Our Team
We have a talented team of professionals — from our Staff, to our Board, to our Circle of Advisors —an extended community that helps to sustain and continue Mimi Fariña's mission.
Dave Perron
Executive Director
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