ISP Bay Area

History

Founded in 1998 in Chicago, IL by Fr. Bill Creed, SJ, and Ed Shurna (formerly Executive Director of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless), the Ignatian Spirituality Project (ISP) offers experiences of hope, healing, and belonging to men and women recovering from homelessness and addiction. By inviting our participants into a deeper encounter with the God of their understanding, ISP retreats and spiritual programs provide the encouragement and empowerment necessary to make real, transformative life changes. Today, ISP offers retreats, follow up and spiritual accompaniment programs in over 20 cities nationwide.

The first ISP Bay Area retreat for men took place in April, 2005. Three years later, a men’s team formed and began holding regular retreats at the Jesuit Retreat House in Los Altos in 2008. 

The first ISP women’s retreat was held in May 2009. After a hiatus, the women’s team was re-established by ten dedicated women in April 2024.

About Us

ISP Bay Area offers two overnight retreats for men and corresponding follow-up days of reflection annually, along with occasional ongoing spiritual accompaniment.

The women’s team similarly offers two overnight retreats each year and provides weekly spiritual reflections at Recovery Cafe.

The ministry continues to grow, welcoming opportunities to collaborate with additional social service agencies and inviting new volunteers to support its mission.

For more information about ISP Bay Area, email Matt at mmeyers@ispretreats.org, or find more information on becoming a volunteer.