The Ignatian Spirituality Project invites people recovering from homelessness and addiction to experience God's love, hope and healing through spiritual companionship that transforms lives. Bill Creed, SJ, and Ed Shurna (then-Executive Director of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless), the Ignatian Spirituality Project (ISP) is a Jesuit ministry which invites people recovering from homelessness and addiction to encounter God’s love, hope and healing through spiritual companionship that transforms lives. To achieve this mission, ISP has created a successful program model, including overnight retreats, follow up Days of Reflection, and ongoing accompaniment programs that care for the interior and spiritual lives of our target population. Retreats were originally offered to men and women in the Chicago area; over time ISP has become a network of 28 cities across the United States, Canada, and Ireland. As the only organization of its kind to offer Ignatian retreats to those on the margins, ISP plays a unique role in the continuum of care for men and women recovering from homelessness and addiction. Through a seamless blend of Ignatian and 12-step recovery spirituality, ISP’s retreat programs foster a spark of hope and possibility for change. Strengthened spiritual and community connections help participants rediscover their inherent worth and dignity, empowering them to strive to reach goals and access services to move them out of poverty. Our lean Network office headquartered in Chicago employs 8 full-time and 2 part-time staff members; 4 full-time Regional Directors support the over 700 volunteers in execution of the program and development of ongoing training and formation for all volunteers, particularly retreat alumni. Our success over the past 20+ years demonstrates that hope and healing experienced on our retreats leads to the empowerment of participants to access further and longer-lasting transformation, including housing stability, ongoing sobriety, and increase in education and job attainment.
