Shanti Project
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Shanti is a fantastic organization with an attentive and friendly staff who do everything in their power to make sure their volunteers have a positive experience.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the community's great response to the organization.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
pat myself on the back.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
meeting the staff and spending time with the other volunteers, all of whom are genuine, good-hearted people.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
radical.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
change the way San Francisco is affected by HIV/AIDS.
Ways to make it better...
the training session was a day shorter.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
the fact that currently there is no cure for HIV or AIDS.
One thing I'd also say is that...
volunteering for Shanti is a worthwhile and productive way to spend time.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
The organization itself is well run, friendly and flexible. The Shanti staff goes out of their way to support the volunteers, and make sure the volunteer experience is healthy and positive. Volunteers are carefully matched with clients whose needs fit the volunteer's schedule, personality and comfort level. The Shanti model of support is absolutely inspiring. It is based on the simple humanitarian principles of kindness and empathy. The basic idea is providing non-judgmental support for the ill, which can take many different forms. Some clients may need sympathetic listeners while others need someone to do the grocery shopping, or activity partners. I have been volunteering for Shanti for two years now. When I started the program, I knew that it would be a positive thing for me, but I had no idea how much my relationship with my client and my involvement in the organization would enrich my life. I consider volunteering for Shanti to be one of the best decisions I have ever made and I plan to remain involved with the project for a long time.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the quality of life of my client, both emotionally and practically
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the amazing people I have met, including my client, Shanti staff and other Shanti volunteers.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
all across the board, from the founder of the project to part-time volunteers like myself.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
spread some amazing love.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
i searched for at least 6 months to find the volunteer opp where i thought i could most make a difference - and feel fulfilled personally. shanti has been more than i imagined. from the training (everyone should do this), to meeting and getting to know my client, to my peer support group, to the shanti coordinators - it is an incredible organization that truly makes a difference.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the everyday lives of those battling the toughest diseases. shanti helps those who many people have forgotten.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
be spending my working hours in a much more beneficial, and selfless, manner.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
my client. she is an inspiration.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
unbelievable. i've never met such caring, dedicated people.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
keep the spirit and dedication of the volunteers, expand programs, and make even more of an influence - without even the slightest bit of greed.
Ways to make it better...
i'm not sure - it would be better if i could dedicate even more of time to shanti. every hour is an hour well-spent.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
funding (?) there is so much of a need - and only so much $ to go around.
One thing I'd also say is that...
shanti is amazing. period.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
The service Shanti provides for the city of San Francisco is priceless. The staff at Shanit is made up of individuals who have a true passion and commitment to being of service, to individuals with life threatening illnesses. I have been a volunteer for three years and can honestly say that staff's commitment extends to all human kind. Their passion to be of service is truly from the heart.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
How it makes the people they serve feel. I have not met a Shanti client who is not in complete appreciation and truly grateful for the service they receive from Shanti and its volunteers
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
It’s approach to being of service and giving back to others. Shanti trains its volunteers to listen, to be present to be non judgmental and loving.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
And are deeply engaged and committed to giving the best experience to their clients and their volunteers.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Transform the lives of many people.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
Shanti exemplifies dedication, compassion, reverence, humbleness, friendship, professionalism, perseverance, community, and so many other beautiful things that this world needs. The one thing that stands out in my mind, is that it's a family atmosphere when you're with Shanti, so you automatically feel the love. Shanti is a great, wonderful organization that proves there are people who really care for those in need.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
My own volunteering experience. Shanti is always out there for every community event-providing, helping, fundraising, donating, and spreading the word of compassion.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Continue to spread the love and peace.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
The important life lesson of giving.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Beautiful, loving, thoughtful, kind-hearted people.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Dominate the world with righteousness, positivity, honesty, warmth, integrity, and especially PEACE!!
Ways to make it better...
I can contribute more financially.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Too many people are overlooking this great, great organization.
One thing I'd also say is that...
No matter what, Shanti will go on.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
Volunteering for Shanti has been a profound experience of compassion, friendship and love. I've been privileged to spend two memorable years as a volunteer for my peer support client in the HIV/AIDS program. Left with very few friends and no family, he reached out to Shanti for a volunteer to be his companion and help him with simple tasks he could not do. The staff at Shanti are all wonderful and they make a great effort to acknowledge and show their appreciation for the volunteers. Shanti is more than a great nonprofit agency. It's a community of caring people who support each other give of themselves to serve others.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
How the lives of people living with life threatening illness have been touched by Shanti volunteers.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Look for more ways to partner with other agencies and leverage resources, if possible.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Being with my client and spending time with other Shanti volunteers at special events and in our volunteer support group.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Warm, compassionate, caring, friendly, funny and very very dedicated.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Train a few million more volunteers to provide emotional support to people of limited means who are living with serious long term illness.
Ways to make it better...
If I had participated in more events and activities. Every time I miss a Shanti event - a party, a social get-together or their annual volunteer appreciation gala - I regret it!
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Funding is a continuing challenge, particularly for agencies serving people with HIV/AIDS because of budget cuts by the government.
One thing I'd also say is that...
Even though HIV is being treated effectively with new medications, there are still thousands of people who are suffering ill effects from long term HIV disease and who do not have the economic means to get the support they need.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
Shanti provides an excellent outlet to provide peer support to people in need. If you feel compelled to give back, Shanti is the place to do it.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
all of the folks who have been served.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
N/A.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
how tangible it is to feel like you are giving back.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
caring, wonderful, smart people.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
serve so many more folks.
Ways to make it better...
N/A.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
N/A.
One thing I'd also say is that...
N/A.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
I moved to the US from Scotland and was lucky enough to be able to find my new home in San Francisco. After a year, I realized that while there was plenty to do between work and play, I wanted to find a volunteer opportunity in San Francisco. A friend took me to a Volunteer Appreciation event in 1995 and the Shanti staff and volunteers I met made an immediate impression on me. Charlie Garfield, Shanti Founder, gave a wonderful and moving speech to thank volunteers for their commitment and hard work. Shanti has created a peer-support model that is now used throughout the world. It teaches how to listen, witness, park judgements outside, provide validation and emotional/practical support for clients who may have no other people in their lives. So, a month later, I signed up for 2 weekends of intense training, learning about the organization and how to provide support to people with HIV/AIDS. I'll never forget how the training put me in touch with new ideas, people from a great variety of backgrounds and knowledge of how to deal with difficult client situations. I was matched with a client a month later and there began a 13 year volunteer/client relationship, that has been one of the most rewarding relationships of my life. The support of the staff at Shanti, their deep compassion about the plight of so many who need emotional and/or practical support in the city has been incredible, through the years. For 10 years of my time as a volunteer, I decided to facilitate a group of volunteers as well. Frequent staff drop-ins, facilitation training and hours collection help to keep these groups going. They are important to providing an environment where volunteers can share experiences and provide support to one another. Like virtually every charity, Shanti has had difficult times financially, causing some staff turn-over and sometimes some major changes organizationally to survive. But one thing that never changes with Shanti is their ability to adapt, but continue to provide amazing services, training and support of volunteers who are incredibly inspiring. In terms of working voluntarily for a charity that in turn reaps unexpected life rewards, Shanti is second to none.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the incredible improvements of individuals that they serve.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
how supportive they are of their volunteers.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Inspiring.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
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