This is the list of JUGGLERS, those who take responsibility to keep all the balls moving with great skill and commitment.

Reverend Dr. Kay Jorgensen (pictured at left) is co-founder of the Faithful Fools Street Ministry a Unitarian Universalist minister. She has a background in theatre and performance art, and served a congregation in Minnesota for 7 years before heading to the streets of San Francisco and co-founding the Faithful Fools.

Sister Carmen Barsody, OSF, is co-founder of the Faithful Fools Street Ministry and a Franciscan Sister of Little Falls, Minnesota. She has a background in Theology and Pastoral Ministry and was involved in ministry in Venezuela, inner-city Chicago and the barrios of Managua, Nicaragua before co-founding the Faithful Fools.

Sister Susan Knutson, OSF, is also a Franciscan Sister of Little Falls, Minnesota. She is a nurse and former hospital administrator who joined the first Street Retreat in June 1998 and has worked with them since then. She provides oversight for much of the daily accompaniment and her nursing skills and advice are called upon often.

Alex Darr (pictured at right) is a Unitarian Universalist Young Adult who works full time as an outreach minister with Faithful Fools. He is also a living and active link between the San Francisco Unitarian Universalist Church and the Faithful Fools as a member of the Social Justice Council and working with youth and young adults.

Andrea Jorgensen is an experienced manager, caterer, artist and visionary who assists with all things aesthetic and practical at the Faithful Fools. From graphic design to creating a magical feast, Andrea brings life and beauty to our work. She also has served as coordinator of the Tenderloin Health and Safety Fair for 2005 and 2006.

Mark Bigelow work with graphics and is also a faithful and steady back-up for Richard in the copy shop.

Martha Boesing is an internationally known playwright who has been volunteering with the Faithful Fools for a good long time. She has written two play while at the Fools. THE WITNESS, and SONG OF THE MAGPIE. THE WITNESS is a powerful portrayal of the work and operating ethos of Faithful Fools. SONG OF THE MAGPIE, focuses on the plight of the aged who live on the streets. .

Ramu Aki is a writer, artist, and general assistant in all that we do. He helps to document the evolutionary philosophy, events and work of the Fools and provides insight and vision to the ways that the arts bring life to our world and our work. He is the mind and action behind the Strong Medicine Show.

Jana Drakka is the “temple keeper”.  She takes responsibility for the meditation room and schedule and teaches people to lead meditation. She is a disciple of Zenkei Blanche Hartman and a great admirer of Issan Dorsey. She was ordained as a Zen Buddhist Priest in 2001, was Head Student in 2005, and became a practice leader in 2007.

Reverend Kurt Kuhwald is a Unitarian Universalist minister. He has served several congregations and served on the denomination’s anti-racism training and leadership team. He has extensive experience in counseling and community leadership.

Melissa Fafarman is a full time volunteer with Faithful Fools. After retiring from Bayer Corporation, Melissa moved into the Tenderloin across the street from Faithful Fools and is a faithful presence at all times of day. She also is a link between the First UU Society of San Francisco and Faithful Fool.

Ed Bowers, a writer and poet edited the first poetry anthology of Faithful Fools, LIVING IN THE LAND OF THE DEAD. Most recently Ed has inspired a poetry Juke Box as a way to take poetry into the streets. Ed writes for Central City Extra and works as a security guard in order to pay his rent and eat a little.

Reverend JD Benson is a Unitarian Universalist Minister affooliated with the Fools. Currently serving as a hospice chaplain, she is an experienced counselor and trainer. A graduate of the Pacific School of Religion, she writes, sings, is introducing the Court to Interplay while she pursues a ministry to the sick on our streets.

Andrea Dolin and her clown Abby (pictured below) are faithful volunteers, supporting the work of daily accompaniment and making hats in the magnificent “Hat Factory”.

Galen Workman, of Ozdachs Web design, generously volunteers his services to create and maintain our web site. We are sure grateful for his generosity and skill.

Anton Jungherr is a Unitarian Universalist lay person and our business manager. Anton is an accountant with many years’ experience working with non-profits. He donates his services to the Faithful Fools and keeps the financial and corporate responsibilities in order.

Daisy Xie is our chief accountant, and serves as our bookkeeper. Anton is her teacher and mentor as she learns accounting skills in the non-profit world.

Thomas Atwood is a fool from 'way back. He is a technical writer for a software company in Silicon Valley, but prefers the streets of San Francisco and the Faithful Fools. His background includes 18 years as a professional singer, more years than he can remember as a magician, and just enough theatre to make a fool of himself. His alter ego, Alfonzo the Conjuring Fool, appears at the drop of dunce cap on behalf of the Faithful Fools.

Nicaraguan Team

Max Jerez, Heidi Meza, Mercedez Gonzales, Manuel Perez

Leadership Fools

The Faithful Fools Street Ministry is propelled by the call to a ministry of presence that acknowledges each human's incredible worth.  Our leaders come from two different religious heritages.

Members of the Faithful Fools Board, 2007-2008

Reverend Kathryn Jorgensen

Co-Founder and President

Sister Carmen Barsody

Co-Founder and Vice President

Melissa Fafarman, Secretary

Secretary

Anton Jungherr

Chief Financial Officer

Sister Susan Knutson

Melissa Fafarman
Denís Paul
Susan Petro
Martha Lorena Morago Garcia
Rev. Kurt A. Kuhwald, (2009)

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