General Information and Referral for San Francisco volunteer organizations

Many opportunities to practice Compassion with "Love in Action"

"The fruit of love is service. Prayer in action is love, and love in action is service."
...Mother Teresa

Computer    Food/Shelter/Clothing    Children    Education    Health    Developmental Disabilities     Other

Hands on San Francisco
660 Market St., Suite 401
(at Geary and Kearny)
San Francisco, CA 94104
(415) 263-8949
Short-term and single-shot volunteer opportunities for good folks with busy schedules.

One Brick
Non Profit Volunteer organization dedicated to bringing people together to make a difference in our community.
Some examples of our projects include:
• * Sorting food for the community food banks
• * Cleaning up our neighborhood parks
• * Building/cleaning playgrounds for children
• * Staffing aid stations for runs/races
• * Setting up for large banquet fundraisers
• * Renovating and cleaning school grounds
A unique, social and flexible environment that enables people to get involved, have an impact and have fun, without long-term commitments.

San Francisco Street Project
San Francisco, CA
Contact: Director Dusty Swartz
A non-partisan, not-for-profit community service organization that meets the needs of volunteers demanding schedules.

Volunteer Center of San Francisco
1675 California Street
(at Van Ness)
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 982-8999

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Computer and High Tech

Ames Aerospace Encounter
NASA Ames Research Center
(Mail Stop 226-1)
Moffett Field, CA 94035
(415) 604-4989
Encourages young people to explore science, math and technology.

CompuMentor
89 Stillman St.
(between Harrison and Bryant, Second and Third streets)
San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 512-7784
Software distribution, online support and more for institutions serving low-income populations.

Silicon Valley Public Access Link
1777 Hamilton Ave., Suite 208A
San Jose, CA 95125
(408) 448-3071
A nonprofit computer network that provides Internet services and training to needy individuals and other nonprofits.

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Food/Shelter/Clothing

Project Homeless Connect
Through the dedication and commitment of thousands of volunteers, San Franciscans have shown that they are what makes Project Homeless Connect work.

HOME Away From Homelessness
Marina Boulevard
Fort Mason Center Building 9
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 567-5574
Giving homeless children opportunities for personal and intellectual growth


Rebuilding Together
San Francisco
Pier 28, The Embarcadero
San Francisco, CA 94105
415.905.1611
Repairs and renovates low-income housing and community facilities.

Saint John Coltrane Church
286 Fillmore St.@ Eddy
San Francisco, CA 94115  
(415) 673-7144
Home cooked meals are served to the poor and needy.
Free new and used clothing and shoes for the homeless, unemployed job seekers, anyone in need. Free Music Lessons and more.

Glide Memorial Church
330 Ellis St.
(at Taylor)
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 771-6300
Offers food, clothing and shelter, as well as education and counseling, all in one location.

Meals on Wheels
1375 Fairfax Ave.
(at Mendell)
San Francisco, CA 94124
(415) 920-1111
Delivers two meals daily to homebound seniors and operates a group lunch facility.

A Miner Miracle
An outstanding program that provides clothing and aids disadvantaged people to present themselves well and with pride into the workplace.

Project Open Hand
730 Polk St.
(between Ellis and Eddy)
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 447-2300
Delivers nutritious meals to people with HIV/AIDS.

Raphael House
1065 Sutter St.
(between Hyde and Larkin)
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 474-3245
A family homeless shelter with after-care services for families that have moved to permanent housing.

Ritter House
16 Ritter St.
(near Lincoln and Second)
San Rafael, CA 94901
(415)457-8182
Emergency food, clothing, household items and furniture,and other services for the poor and homeless.

San Francisco Food Bank
900 Pennsylvania Ave.
(at 23rd Street) just west of I-280
San Francisco, CA  94107
(415) 282-1900
email

Volunteers sort and repackage food donations to supply food to over 500 non-profit organizations that feed hungry San Franciscans in need for free.

Cooking for Heart and SoulCooking for Heart and Soul: 100 Delicious Low-Fat Recipes from San Francisco's Top Chefs
A Cookbook to Benefit the San Francisco Food Bank

Although this excellent cookbook is out of print but still available new and used from a amazon.com


St. Anthony Foundation
121 Golden Gate Ave.
(between Jones and Leavenworth)
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 241-2600

Man Behind the MiracleThe Man Behind the Miracle
by Madeline Hartmann
This book recounts the life of Fr. Alfred Boeddeker, O.F.M., who at almost 50 took on the greatest undertaking of his life. Fr. Alfred served by caring 'passionately for the poor, the sick, the homeless, the hungry, the unloved, the forgotten' as the founder of St. Anthony's Dining Room and Foundation.
This is the story of his formative years, his family, his education and the charisms that nurtured his success.

St. Vincent de Paul Society
425 Fourth St., Suite 103
(between Harrison and Bryant)
San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 977-1270
Food, clothing, furniture, transportation and companionship for the needy.

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Children

Big Brothers and Sisters
870 Market St.,Suite 928
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 693-7777
Provides support services to better the lives of at-risk children and their families.

Children's Council of San Francisco
445 Church Street
San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 276-2900
Provides information and referral services to parents and child care providers on a wide range of child care and children's issues. Conducts workshops for the community about child-care
www.childrenscouncil.org

EARTHRIDE
Earthride
840 Valencia St. #3
San Francisco, CA 94110
415.509.7207
info@earthride.org
The mission of Earthride is to inspire low-income urban youth to look beyond their surroundings.
There are three main components to our program: environmental education, stimulating activities in nature, and ongoing mentoring. Currently, we offer snowboarding, surfing, and conservation field trips to captivate youth and create an appreciation for the environment.

Experience Corps
Experience Corps® in the Bay Area offers adults over 55 the opportunity to develop caring relationships with children in San Francisco and Oakland through tutoring and mentoring opportunities during and after school.
Members serve at elementary schools and middle schools in the Bayview Hunters Point, Mission, Portola/Excelsior, Richmond, and Sunset districts of San Francisco as well as North and East Oakland.
Eunice Nichols, Project Director
(415) 759-3690
enichols@snbc.org

Family Service Agency of San Francisco
Home Office, 1010 Gough Street,
San Francisco, California 94109
Mon-Fri 8:30 am - 5:00 pm,
Tel: 415-474-7310, Fax: 415-931-3773,
Email: info@fsasf.org
The mission is To strengthen families by providing caring,
effective human services with a special emphasis
on low-income families, children, the elderly, and the disabled.


GirlVentures
3543 18th Street #18
San Francisco, California 94110
Phone: (415) 864-0780
Fax: (415) 861-3464
e-mail: info@GirlVentures.org
Mission: To empower adolescent girls to develop and express their strengths by exploring self,
community and the natural world through outdoor adventure, creative arts and group experiences.

Home Away From Homelessness
Located in in the Fort Mason and Marin Headlands areas; four "homes" provide a physical, emotional and spiritual break
from the demands of the street.
(415) 561-4621 or email volunteer@homeaway.org

Homeless Children's Network
The goal of this program is to respond to the traumas of homelessness by providing therapy and case management support to homeless children and their families.

Huckleberry Youth Programs'
3310 Geary Boulevard
San Francisco, CA 94118
415.668.2622 phone
415.668.0631 fax
Email: hyp@huckleberryyouth.org
Huckleberry Youth Programs is a community-based agency founded on the belief that adolescence
is a turbulent time during which many young people are at risk for life-threatening crises.
These crises include drug and alcohol addiction, physical and sexual abuse,
emotional illness, physical illness (including HIV infection),
family breakdown, homelessness, delinquency and suicide.

Klaas Foundation for Children
P.O. Box 925
Sausalito, CA 94966
(415) 331-6867
Supports children and parents through Child Safety Days, community workshops and meetings, and an educational curriculum.

Larkin Street Youth Center
1044 Larkin St.
(between Post and Sutter)
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 673-0911
Operates from six sites throughout San Francisco, encouraging young people to get beyond street life.

Make-A-Wish Foundation
785 Market St., Suite 400
(between Third and Fourth sts.)
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 543-7066
The nation's largest wish-granting charity makes the dreams of terminally ill children come true.

San Francisco Conservation Corps
Fort Mason
(Bldg. 102)
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 928-7322
Empowers young adults and youths through programs for improving academic skills, job training, environmental awareness and computer literacy.

STREET SAFE KIDS and CHILD SAFETY NETWORKS
Admin Offices
2908 Madeline, Oakland CA 94602
phone: 510-530-1319 * Fax 530-1527
Branch: Box 181, Moraga CA 94556
phone: 925-376-3237 * Fax 376-2386
email: compeace@concentric.net
Ccommunity-based and grassroots focus encourages parents and families, neighbors and community movers and shakers to work together and improve the quality of life, health and safety of all children. We believe that stopping violence starts at home. Our Campaign offers tools, resources and training to create networks of support to protect children and empower youth to become self-aware and develop self-control and self-discipline.

Street Stories
3130 20th Street, Suite 311
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 864-5221 Main
(415) 970-1090 Fax
email
Streetside Stories is a 15 year old youth arts nonprofit in San Francisco.
Streetside Stories is a nonprofit arts education organization that uses storytelling, creative writing, theatrical improvisation and digital storytelling to help San Francisco and East Bay students develop their reading, writing and oral communication skills. To learn more about opportunities fo volunteer at Street Stories, click here.

 

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Education Advocacy

Oakland Parents Literacy Project
360 Grand Ave PMB – 64
Oakland CA 94610
( 510) 889-5903 (main)
(510) 889-5851 (fax)

Family Reading Night: recruits professional storytellers and guest readers from the community.
School Site Cleanup: Volunteers from throughout Oakland’s community help pick up trash, repair the grounds and, site permitting, plant a garden. Other volunteer opportunities as well


San Francisco School Volunteers
727 Golden Gate Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415)749-3700
School Volunteers recruits, trains and supports a community of volunteers
who inspire public school students to reach their full potential.

Science and Health Education Partnership
100 Medical Center Way (Box 0905)
University of California
San Francisco, CA 94143
(415) 476-0300
Provides comprehensive science and health education to students in public schools.

Women's Initiative for Self Employment *****
has been assisting high-potential low-income women who dream of business ownership.
Through an intensive 20 session program — in English or Spanish — women are enabled to start, or expand their business.
Volunteer Information

 

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Health

 

Free Health Clinics in San Francisco

Haight Ashbury Free Medical Clinic
558 Clayton Street
San Francisco, CA
Phone #: (415) 487-5632
Map Location
Founded in 1967 by Dr. David E. Smith, the Haight Ashbury Free Clinics believe that health care is a right, not a privilegeans that it should be free at the point of delivery, comprehensive, non judgmental, demystified, and humane.
Hours: M-Th 9am-9pm, F1-5 By appointment only Free services provided. Primary and specialty care, chiropractic care, health care for the homeless, HIV primary care and case management, HIV risk reduction counseling and testing, pediatrics, podiatry, smoking cessation services, women's health services.

San Francisco Community Clinic Consortium
1550 Bryant Street, Suite 450
San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: (415) 355-2222
Fax: (415) 865-9960 fax
Volunteer opportunities covering twelve of the Bay Area Free Clinics

North of Market Senior Services
333 Turk Street
San Francisco, CA,
Phone:(415) 885-2274
Fax:(415) 885-234
Map Location
A multiservice center--medical clinic, mealsite, case management, socialization, substance abuse counseling--for low-income seniors in the Tenderloin/South of Market areas of San Francisco.
Hours: M-F 9am-12pm, 1pm-5pm
Drop in Tu 1-2, Fri 9-11 No one will be denied services based on inability to pay

Saint Anthony Free Medical Clinic
105-107 Golden Gate Ave
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone #: (415) 241-8320
Map Location
Hours: M, T, Th, F 8am-12pm, 1pm-4:30pm Wed 8am-12pm Offers free drop-in care on a first come, first serve basis with a line forming thirty minutes prior to opening Free health care

San Francisco Free Clinic
4900 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94118
Phone #: (415) 750-9894
Map Location
(near 11th Ave)Mon-Fri 1:30-pm-4:30pm By appointment Free health care
Uninsured patients only.

The Women's Community Free Clinic
2166 Hayes #104
San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 379-7800
Most often used services include screening for sexually transmitted infections, routine annual exams, and diagnosis and treatment of gynecological concerns.
For girls and women age 12 and over, from first pelvic exams to post-menopause.
Has a few specialty clinics and a database of referrals to other agencies, but does not offer general medical care for concerns such as colds, back trouble, or diabetes.

Planned Parenthood
815 Eddy St.
(415) 441-5454
(800) 967-7526
Sliding scale fees, MediCal, HAP card, & some private insurance.
GYN, colposcopy, LEEP, prenatal care, abortions, and some primary care and men’s services.

Alzheimer's Association

Arthritis Foundation, Northern California Chapter
Established in 1948, AF is a volunteer-driven, national nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure for over 120 types of arthritis. Web site includes valuable Tips for Living with Arthritis, available exercise programs, support groups and an excellent Physician Referral List for Bay Area residents.
657 Mission Street,Suite 603
San Francisco, CA  94105-4120
phone:356.1243
toll free: 800.464.6240
fax: 356.1240
vbruno@arthritis.org
Make a difference! Become an Arthritis Foundation Volunteer!

Family Caregiver Alliance
425 Bush St., Suite 500
(between Grant and Kearny)
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 434-3388
One of the first community-based non profits to address the needs of those who take care of adults with Alzheimer's,stroke and other brain disorders.

HEAR
Hearing Education for Rockers (H.E.A.R)
San Francisco, CA
Call for appointment:(415) 409-EARS
Fax: 415 409-LOUD
Information and resources on hearing loss, hearing evaluation referrals and assistive listening devices.
A wonderful example of Love in Action plus
by volunteering to help, you are able work off your outstanding parking tickets.
Sure sounds like a good thing to me.

Immune Enhancement Project
3450 16th St.
(between Church and Sanchez)
San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 252-8711
An alternative, holistic approach to treating individuals with AIDS and HIV-related illnesses

AIDS Memorial Quilt
310 Townsend St., Suite 310
(at Fourth St.)
San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 882-5500
One of the world's largest and most recognizable art projects honors the lives of people lost to AIDS.

Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS)
2189 Market St.
(at 15th St.)
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 241-1460
Committed to keeping pets and their AIDS-affected guardians together.

San Francisco AIDS Foundation
995 Market St., Suite 200
(at Sixth St.)
San Francisco, CA 94103
( 415) 487-3000
One of the nation's oldest and most established AIDS organizations

SF Women Against Rape
3543 18th St #7
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 861-2024
SFWAR seeks compassionate people who want to:
* Support survivors of sexual assault
* Challenge all forms of oppression that contribute to sexual assault
* Develop valuable counseling and leadership skills
* Be a part of an inspiring community working for social justice!
Bilingual/Bicultural volunteers especially needed.

Other Rape Hotlines & Information Centers

Battered Women Services

United Against Violence

Child and Adolescent Sexual Abuse Resource Center (CASARC)
Services for people 17 and under.
Medical treatment, counseling, police report made at center.
415-206-8386 (24-hour hotline, Spanish & Cantonese spoken)

Rape Treatment Center
Serves women and men over 18.
Medical treatment, counseling, optional police report and evidence collection.
415-821-3222 (24-hour hotline, Spanish & Asian languages spoken)

Shanti Project
Volunteer Services
Shanti, 730 Polk Street,
San Francisco, CA 94109

You can make an invaluable difference to an underserved person living with
breast cancer or HIV/AIDS and have your life changed in the process.
Please contact Anne Radl, Shanti Volunteer Coordinator, at 415-674-4712
or by email at aradl@shanti.org
   
www.shanti.org

San Francisco Suicide Prevention
For more information on our programs or services,
please call our office at 415-984-l9OO during normal business hours,
or drop us an e-mail.
The 24-hour Crisis line is: 415-781-0500.
The focus of the agency has gradually shifted from strictly
suicide prevention to more general counseling services.
Services are provided 24 hours a day by over 250 trained volunteers
with the supervision of a small multi disciplinary staff.

Trauma Foundation
San Francisco General Hospital
1001 Potrero Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 821-8209
Promotes awareness of injury and violence prevention issues.

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Developmental disabilities

 

Community Gatepath
875 Stanton Road
Burlingame, CA 94010

Rewarding opportunity to help developmentally disabled adults ~ "Turning disabilities into possibilities" for over 85 years.
Community Gatepath is San Mateo county's largest non-profit agency serving people with developmental disabilities. We are looking for volunteers to help out in our Adult Day Program. We need help at meal times and with activities and socialization; no experience is required - we will train you!

The biggest need currently is on Wednesdays & Fridays between 11am -1pm. We also have similar opportunities available Monday through Friday, between 9am-3pm. All Volunteers must pass criminal clearance and a TB test.

This is a great way to give back and get some rewarding hands-on experience in this field.
For more info, please contact Guri Mehta or call 650-259-0176.

 

Creativity Explored
3245 16th Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
phone: (415) 863 2108
fax: (415) 863 1655
info@creativityexplored.org

Creativity Explored provides a supportive environment for people with developmental disabilities to create visual art to satisfy a basic human need for self-expression, thereby enriching lives and our community.
We strive to heighten awareness and appreciation of the value and diversity of artistic expression, and the significant contributions made by artists with disabilities.

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Other Opportunities to Practice "LOVE IN ACTION"

Community links
Bay Area Legal Aid  BayLegal provides free legal services in the priority areas of housing, domestic violence, public benefits and health access
Community Land Trust  is a membership-based organization whose mission is to create permanently affordable, resident-controlled housing for low- to moderate-income people in San Francisco through community ownership of the land .
San Francisco Foundation  The Foundation mobilizes resources and acts as a catalyst for change to build strong communities, foster civic leadership, and promote philanthropy. It is a bridge between nonprofits and resources, neighborhoods and government, leadership and those in need.
Japantown Foundation  This Foundation supports cultural, community and educational activities for San Francisco Japantown.
Unity Foundation Unity Foundation's programs are designed to create greater understanding, respect and appreciation for all races, cultures, lifestyles, and generations

Salvation Army

Volunteer MatchVolunteerMatch has 1733 community based organizations in San Francisco, CA looking for Volunteers just like you.

 

Red CrossThe American Red Cross works within communities,
providing relief to people who have suffered a disaster.
They also help people prevent, prepare for and respond to a variety of emergencies. 

 

FREE TAX PREPARATION ACROSS THE BAY AREA

Earn it! Keep it! Save it!

How you can help? - volunteer!
To qualify for free tax help:
Last year’s income was less than $42,000
US Citizenship is NOT required

TAX AIDTax-Aid provides free high-quality tax return preparation for Bay Area families with incomes less than $42,000. There are three ways you can participate RIGHT NOW:
Tax Help: I want free help with my taxes, tell me more
Volunteer: I want to volunteer for Tax-Aid
Partner: I want to help spread the word

"We cannot all do great things. But we can do small things with great love."...Mother Teresa

Tender Is Legal In The Eternal State Of Love
Don't Leave Home Without It!!

images/Idealist.gif (3502 bytes)Volunteer opportunities around the world Free opportunity to help feed the hungry people in the world

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