Dorothy Day Fund

The Dorothy Day Fund was founded in 1991 by Sister Maria Fitzgerald, a Catholic nun with the Congregation of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in response to the perceived need of lonely incarcerated Loaves & Fishes guests. Originally created to visit only Loaves & Fishes guests, the program has been expanded to include any jailed person who has had the misfortune to be incarcerated and is utterly bereft of any human support. The incarcerated are mostly people of color, poor, and often mentally ill. There is a high likelihood they are incarcerated because of an alcohol or drug abuse-related crime.

Jail visitations are carried out by staff and volunteers in Sacramento County’s main jail. They routinely visit incarcerated person awaiting resolution of their cases. To carry out their mission, those who visit are loving, caring and nonjudgmental to the poor and abandoned people they visit.

This program provides a number of social service and advocacy functions for jailed guests as a means to keep them connected to their loved ones through telephone calls and written correspondence. Through this program, advocates interact with jail personnel, attorneys, court personnel, or investigators on a guest’s behalf. Staff also takes care of necessary minor business concerning any rehabilitative services and assists with any immediate emergency survival services upon their release. A small stipend is provided to guests for toiletries, extra stationery or snacks while incarcerated. The stipend is financed by Loaves & Fishes employees through the United Way Campaign.