My volunteer is a very important part of my life and a tremendous help. It is hard to quantify how significant he is and I can't imagine what my life would be like without him." - Shanti client

For 44 years, Shanti peer support volunteers have been providing emotional and practical support to people living with life-threatening illness, as well as LGBT isolated seniors and adults with disabilities, much like you would support a friend or family member in need. If you would like to tangibly enhance the life of someone who needs it the most, we encourage you to contact us and learn more about this truly unique opportunity.

As a peer support volunteer, you will:

--Go through the internationally-recognized Shanti Model of Peer Support training

--Be matched 1-on-1 with a client to whom you will provide companionship, a non-judgmental ear and light practical assistance

--Join a community of thoughtful, supportive volunteers and staff

For this program, we ask for a commitment of 2 to 6 hours a week for at least 6 months. We also organize support groups once a month, and ask all volunteers to attend. The 2-6 hours can be done according to volunteer's schedules--a lot of our volunteers visit their clients on weekends or evenings--so it's definitely flexible.

If you decide to enroll in the Peer Support Program there is a mandatory volunteer training. Each interested volunteer must attend ALL of the training dates listed below.

Upcoming Trainings: 

Friday, July 6th from 6:00-9:00 pm

Saturday, July 7th from 9:00-6:00 pm

Sunday, July 8th from 9:00-6:00 pm

Wednesday, July 11th from 6:00-9:00 pm

The purpose of this training is to prepare volunteers to work with individuals who are isolated, or living with life-threatening illnesses and other disabilities. The training will supply information about challenges our clients face as well as teach communication and listening skills through a variety of interactive exercise. The training is pretty intensive, but our volunteers typically find it to be an enriching, community-building experience.

You can make an invaluable difference to someone who needs it the most - and have your life changed in the process.

Shanti was founded in 1974. Since its inception, Shanti has trained more than 18,000 individuals in the Bay Area and 600 organizations around the world in compassionately providing emotional and practical support to clients grappling with life-threatening illnesses, social isolation, other disabilities and poverty. Recognized as the first community-based AIDS Organization in the world, Shanti serves over 2,000 of San Francisco’s most vulnerable residents, annually.

To learn more about how to get involved, please contact Volunteer Services at 415-674-4751 or email volunteerservices@shanti.org