• Programs
• Alternative Break Experiences (ABE)
  • The Five Pillars of ABE
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Important Dates 2012-2013
  • Co-Leader Information
  • Participant Information
  • Faculty/Staff People
  • Fundraising Ideas
  • Alternative Winter Break Experiences
  • Alternative Spring Break Experiences
  • Alternative May Term Experiences
• Faith Communities (FAC)
• Spirituality and Social Justice (SSJ)
• Liturgy
• Caritas Award Ceremony
• Catholic Social Teaching
• Upcoming Events

Faithful Fools

San Francisco, California

January 6th-13th 2013

Faithful Fools is an educational and charitable organization. They have a live-work space in the Tenderloin District of San Francisco. The group that goes on this trip would start their week with an orientation retreat to ground themselves in the experience and condition themselves toward people and places in relationship to poverty and homelessness.

Faithful Fools learn and educate through engaging in relationships with people who are impoverished and without housing, as well as those with homes and economic wealth. They address the policies, attitudes and lack of knowledge that perpetuate injustice and poverty not just locally in San Francisco, but nationally and globally. Walking and working together people of privilege and people who are impoverished help one another bridge gaps and shift perceptions that inhibit personal and social change. They work to build community by breaking through boundaries that separate us, such as economic power, religious beliefs, class, race, gender, ethnicity, and together we discover what connects us.

 What to Expect:

• Cost: All ABE trips cost $325.  The San Fransisco trip has the added cost of flights.
• Travel:  The group will fly from Minneapolis to San Francisco. Then they will rely on Faithful Fools and city transportation to get to and from their lodging and work.
• Lodging: The group will stay at Faithful Fools, sleeping on the floors.
• Food:  The group will experience what it would be like to have to rely on soup kitchens for all their meals. They will travel together to the areas soup kitchens and eat with the community.
• Work: The group will work with Faithful Fools at their location and Faithful Fools will establish work for the group at other social service sites in the Tenderloin District.
• Extra Fun:  
• Focus: Community, Homelessness, Poverty, Cultural diversity, Social justice, Children, and Addictions

Interested in applying to co-lead or participate on the San Fransisco trip?  Apply here to co-lead or here to participate! 

Any questions about this trip can be directed to Alternative Break Experiences at abe@csbsju.edu