Welcome to Maitri Compassionate Care

Maitri Volunteer Spotlight

Yasmen Mehta began volunteering at Maitri in 2006. She learned about Maitri years ago from a friend and Maitri volunteer, David Young, who had spoken very passionately to her about Maitri. Thinking she might volunteer for Maitri at retirement, Yasmen put the idea on the “back burner.” Then in 2006, she heard Buddhist monks on National Public Radio, triggering memories of her conversation with David – which moved her to start volunteering at that time.

For Maitri, Yasmen does “everything, helping out as I can.” Her activities might include running errands for residents, walking with them, and holding their hands as needed, but most importantly, just being there for them.

She considers her Maitri volunteer work to be the most spiritually rewarding activity she has done in her life. To Yasmen, being able to “give back” to Maitri residents is tremendously gratifying and fulfilling. She feels the most challenging part of her work is keeping the weeds out of the flower boxes.

Since 1987, Maitri has been providing hospice and 24-hour care to men and women living with AIDS. "Maitri," pronounced "MY-tree," is a Sanskrit word that means "compassionate friendship." In this 15-bed facility, skilled professionals and dedicated volunteers offer nursing and personal care as well as emotional and spiritual resources to help meet the special needs associated with HIV-related illness. This non-profit program in San Francisco is focused especially on those who might otherwise be without adequate resources or care.

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Maitri is honored to be named a Major Beneficiary of Folsom Street Events 2009. Net proceeds from four listed San Francisco fetish events will be donated to local charities working in public health, human services, and the arts.

Last year, Folsom Street Events donated over $340,000 to local and national charities in need. Click on the link for more information.

Maitri needs to provide over 50 volunteers for all four events. Duties vary from accepting door donations to helping in beer booths. Read More

Laura MacPherson: Maitri Angel

Phil Hecht: President, Carl H. Hitchner Foundation

Read an article by Tony Adessa

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Maitri Receives $100,000 Bequest

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Before coming to Maitri, Brian Shelley had a successful career as a paralegal. In a humanitarian act of selfless generosity, Brian has given back to Maitri from his estate.

Personally shy and modest, Brian had the deepest gratitude and appreciation for the care he received at Maitri during his residency which spanned February to April, 2008. It was paramount to him that others less financially fortunate be able to receive the same quality of care from Maitri. To this end, he directed his close friend and estate executor, Dianne Gregory, to make a donation to Maitri from his estate.

Dianne came to Maitri to meet with Tony Adessa, Development Director, and Tim Patriarca, Executive Director, to discuss Brian’s intent. Satisfied that Maitri was in a solid financial position, she wrote a check to Maitri for $100,000 so that Brian’s wishes could be realized.

Tony and Tim offered Dianne the possibility of having a Maitri room named for Brian in recognition of his stupendous gift, but she declined, indicating that Brian didn’t need and wouldn’t have wanted to call attention to himself. At Maitri, Brian’s legacy will be his incredibly generous and utterly selfless gift to others.