Tucked away on the second floor of the big, yellow former Out of the Closet building at Church and Duboce, Maitri Compassionate Care is easy to miss. The hospice center serves individuals living with HIV/AIDS, and next weekend, they're launching one of two yearly volunteer training sessions for those are interested in participating within their community.
Maitri was founded in 1987, when AIDS was still hitting San Francisco hard. Zen teacher Issan Dorsey took in a homeless student who was dying of AIDS, and after recognizing the need for peace and healing in the community, founded Maitri. Today, the center has 15 beds for HIV/AIDS patients, the majority of whom are in residence for nine months to a year before passing away.
While Maitri has a paid staff of nurses, administrative workers and program managers, much of the life of the center comes from the dozens of volunteers who stop in every week to lend a hand. We chatted with volunteer coordinator Madeleine Mulderrig to learn a little about what people can do to help, and how to get involved.
Members of Maitri's staff.
Volunteers at Maitri who do direct-service volunteering (working face-to-face with residents) can curate their experience, based on their skills and desires. Some volunteers accompany patients on errands or to doctor's offices. Those with experience in bodywork therapy perform reiki or massage. Others have dogs who are friendly, and will bring them by to cheer up residents. But one of the biggest needs is just to be there—hanging out, reading, watching movies and socializing with the Maitri community.
Volunteer Danielle Palza in Maitri's living room area.
"It's very challenging, but very rewarding," Mulderrig told us. "It can be very bittersweet. Volunteers are well aware that many of the residents are hospice, and for quite a few, the medical expectations are that these individuals going to pass."
Because of the potential emotional stress of volunteering at Maitri, all volunteers must go through a weekend-long training session, with guidance from SF General Hospital experts, nurses, and longtime volunteers.
But the emotional side of the task and the training commitment training haven't deterred Maitri's committed group of more than 60 volunteers. It's thanks to those volunteers that the center can organize a yearly fundraiser, and work with residents on a community garden. At least two volunteers have been active for over 15 years, and positive word-of-mouth has helped bring in more every year.
"Many of our new volunteers have talked to coworkers, partners or friends who volunteer here, and have had great experiences," Mulderrig told us. The number of people who come here via recommendations is huge."
"Other people might join up because a friend of theirs died of AIDS, or they knew someone who was a resident at Maitri, and it's a way to give back."
Volunteer Nichola des Lauriers, who does reiki at Maitri.
Due to the long weekend training, volunteers are asked to commit to at least four hours a week for six months. "We believe this will give them a thorough experience," Mulderrig explains. "Over that period of time, you will get a sense of many, many different things that occur here that people help with."
With that base experience, many volunteers go on to organize events and programming at the center, curating their experience to benefit their interests and that of the community.
The next Maitri training will take place April 15th-17th, at the gazebo room at CPMC-Davies Campus. "It has a lovely view of the city, and it's close to Maitri," Mulderrig tells us. If you're interested in learning more about volunteering, you can email Madeline at [email protected] or fill out an interest form on Maitri's website. Can't make this training? Stay tuned—there will be another one taking place in October.
If a four-hour weekly commitment isn't doable, consider supporting the organization's main yearly fundraiser, which is taking place on May 1st. Called "Bliss," the gala will be hosted by Leslie Jordan, with performances by Man Dance Company and jazz singer Branice McKenzie. More information and tickets can be found here.
