Executive Director, Kaushik Roy Speaking at the 36th Annual Benefit — Introduction by Jan Yanehiro

The Shanti Project Works With AIDS and Breast Cancer Patientsby Laura Mason, Assistant Editor at 7 X 7

Reprinted with permission from Laura Mason original article

Shanti Project extends a hand to the most vulnerable people in our society. Started by Dr. Charlie Garfield in 1974, Shanti was the first organization in the country to work directly with AIDS patients, and has become an international model for similar work in 600 organizations. They facilitated the first-ever international training on how to work with people with AIDS at the request of the French, British and Belgian governments in 1982. We talked with Executive Director Kaushik Roy about the trailblazing ways Shanti's staff and 250 volunteers help those in need every day.

A Shanti volunteer with her matched Shanti client.

How did you get involved?

When I was in college at Cal in the late 90s, I heard a public service announcement on late night radio about this place called the Shanti Project. It was talking about volunteering and working one on one with a person who had AIDS and giving them emotional and practical support because there may not have been anyone else in their life who could do that for them. I was just so struck by that message. The first thing I did was call up Shanti to volunteer. I showed up and was just totally blown away by the experience. I saw that Shanti had some of the most dedicated, passionate people. They were doing such incredible work, and doing work for people who not only had medical challenges, but they really were all alone.

Read more »

Shanti's 36th Annual Benefit — Funding Leadership Award Presented by the Honorable James C. Hormel

Funding Leadership Award Presented by the Honorable James C. Hormel

Accepted by Dr. Sandra Hernandez

Advocate Randy Allgaier dies at 53by Liz Highleyman

Randy Allgaier. Photo: Courtesy of Lee Hawn.

HIV and healthcare advocate Randy Allgaier passed away early Saturday morning, November 27, at Davies Medical Center in the Castro. A long-term HIV and hepatitis C survivor who also recently battled anal cancer, Mr. Allgaier died from complications of intestinal obstruction and organ failure. He was 53.

Over the past two decades Mr. Allgaier played a key role in shaping public policy related to HIV/AIDS and, more recently, viral hepatitis, serving on nearly a dozen committees, councils, and boards.

Click here to read more.

Positive Force & Shanti's Annual Holiday Extravaganza

Please join Positive Force and Shanti for our annual Holiday party. An afternoon of fun, food, and friends. Spectacular entertainment by Alotta Boutte', Peggy L'eggs, and Cheer SF. as well as special guest DJ, OJ. Sunday, December 19th 2010 3pm - 6pm

The Women's Building, 3543 18th Street between Guerrero and Valencia Streets

To RSVP or for more info, contact Derrick Mapp Email, 415-674-4703, John Olesen Email, 415-674-4713 or Tony Koester Email, 415-575-0150 x 225.

CAEAR Coalition Mourns the Death of Randy Allgaier: A True Champion for People Living with HIV/AIDS

Reprinted with permission from The CAEAR Coalition original article
(Washington, DC)––The CAEAR Coalition community celebrates the life and mourns the passing of our colleague and leader Randy Allgaier who died on November 27 in San Francisco. A longtime advocate for people living with HIV and LGBT equality, he was a member of CAEAR Coalition for the past seven years and served on our Board of Directors as the Chair of the People Living with HIV/AIDS Caucus since 2008. At the time of his death, he was Director of the San Francisco HIV Health Services Planning Council, of which he had previously served as Co-chair.

We are thankful for his commitment to people living with AIDS by working to ensure access to quality medical care and treatment for all. We honor his passion, his sense of justice, his humor, and his work ethic.

Earlier in his career, he was the state advocate for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, where he took a leading role in building a statewide coalition that successfully advocated for significant increases for California’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program. He was also very active in the areas of HIV and Medicare/Medicaid and served on the Board of Directors of National Positive Working Coalition. As an animal lover, one of his proudest achievements was his service as President of the Board of Pets are Wonderful Support (PAWS) in San Francisco. He was also a founder of the state-wide LGBT advocacy organization Equality California and served on the Board of Directors of the Human Rights Campaign. To all of these endeavors he brought his signature passion, creativity, and diligence to the work at hand.

Randy will be fondly remembered and deeply missed. We send our love and prayers to his husband Lee Hawn and the rest of his family.

7 Favorite Charities: The Shanti Project Works With AIDS and Breast Cancer Patientsby Laura Mason

Shanti Project extends a hand to the most vulnerable people in our society. Started by Dr. Charlie Garfield in 1974, Shanti was the first organization in the country to work directly with AIDS patients, and has become an international model for similar work in 600 organizations. They facilitated the first-ever international training on how to work with people with AIDS at the request of the French, British and Belgian governments in 1982. We talked with Executive Director Kaushik Roy about the trailblazing ways Shanti's staff and 250 volunteers help those in need every day.
How did you get involved?
When I was in college at Cal in the late 90s, I heard a public service announcement on late night radio about this place called the Shanti Project. It was talking about volunteering and working one on one with a person who had AIDS and giving them emotional and practical support because there may not have been anyone else in their life who could do that for them. I was just so struck by that message. The first thing I did was call up Shanti to volunteer. I showed up and was just totally blown away by the experience. I saw that Shanti had some of the most dedicated, passionate people. They were doing such incredible work, and doing work for people who not only had medical challenges, but they really were all alone.

Click here to read more.

Shanti's 36th Annual Benefit Profiled in Bay Times!



Honoree Connie Champagne,
presenter James Hormel,
honoree Sandra hernandez and
Executive Director Kaushik Roy.
Photo by Rink.

Shanti Holds 36th Annual Gala
By Dennis McMillan
Published: October 21, 2010

Shanti’s 36th annual benefit, “Compassion Is Universal,” was held on Oct. 13 at Hotel Nikko. Founded in 1974 by Dr. Charlie Garfield at the UCSF Cancer Institute, Shanti was one of the first-ever volunteer organizations to work with terminally ill individuals, and later became one of the very first community-based HIV/AIDS organizations in the world. Shanti has trained over 15,000 volunteers in the Bay Area and 600 organizations worldwide in the Shanti Model of Peer Support. In the Bay Area alone, Shanti volunteers have provided over 3 million hours of care-giving. Each year, Shanti serves over 2,400 people with breast cancer or HIV/AIDS, so that a client does not have to face a life-threatening illness alone. During the dinner, overhead screens showed videos of various happy clients and their Shanti volunteers helping to walk a dog or shop for groceries or just the two enjoying being together in a moment of unconditional love.

To read more click here.

Compassion is Universal

On Wednesday, October 13th we, along with 520 of our supportive community members, celebrated our 36th year of compassionate work at the Hotel Nikko.  The evening was celebratory as we honored some of Shanti's heros,

National L.I.F.E. Facilitator Training in San Francisco

Gradutes of the L.I.F.E. Facilitator Training

On October 14, 2010, Shanti staff concluded a three day training with 16 of our newest L.I.F.E. Facilitators. Trainees traveled from as far away as South Florida, Chicago, and Kansas City, and as near as Sonoma, Sacramento, and San Francisco to learn how to implement the L.I.F.E. Program©, an HIV-self management and health-enhancement program that runs in 18 sites across the nation. Shanti helps these agencies implement effective programming by developing cutting-egde curriculum materials, and providing training, technical assistance, and outcomes evaluation. HIV+ participants of the L.I.F.E. Program© learn how to improve and maintain their health by addressing biological, psychological, and social cofactors that can drive health outcomes.

To learn more about L.I.F.E., click here. For more information about bringing L.I.F.E. to your agency or region, please contact our Director of Program Development by email or at (415) 674-4716.

Beats for Boobs Put On Their Annual Fundraiser

This past October 8^th a dozen Shanti staff and volunteers came out to help local benefactor, Beats for Boobs, put on their annual fundraiser. The event was held at the stylish urban locale, Mezzanine SF night club and was a wonderful cocktail of art, fashion, food, fire dancers, roller derby girls and music. This year’s event aimed to raise $50,000 with all proceeds going to Shanti’s LifeLines Breast Cancer Program, the Breast Cancer Fund and Breast Cancer Emergency Fund.  

We Celebrate Our Volunteers!

On Tuesday, September 14, Shanti staff, board members, and volunteers gathered at Som Bar in the Mission District for a night of celebration, food and drinks. The focus of the evening was to honor and celebrate Shanti’s amazing volunteers for the time and energy they devote to their clients each year. The night drew together both long time and new volunteers---including many members of Shanti’s most recent training group from August 2010.

Over 200 Shanti volunteers provide emotional and peer support services to people living with HIV/AIDS and Breast Cancer every year. Without our volunteers, Shanti wouldn’t be able to provide the same level of service to our clients. We thank you for your time, energy and compassion!

We also want to thanks Som Bar for generously offering the use of their space, in addition to Whole Foods, Rainbow Grocery, Rosamunde’s, Out of Thyme, and La Med for donating food and desserts for the event.

You can check out some beautiful photos from the event here.

Around the Universethe 2010 Shanti Benefit Online AuctionBid Now!

Around the Universe offers a number of unique and exciting items for bid in this inaugural online auction to raise much needed funds for our programs. Your winning bid on an auction item supports our mission: to enhance the quality of life, health and well-being of people living with life-threatening illnesses, including Breast Cancer and HIV/AIDS. And might bring you a great opportunity in one of these categories

• VACATIONS AND GETAWAYS

• EXCURSIONS AND ADVENTURES

• RESTAURANTS

• THE WHITE ELEPHANT

This auction will run until to October 8, 2010, with the live event taking place on October 13, 2010. The money we raise from this auction will account for a significant portion of our event’s success. So let your friends, family, and neighbors know about our auction.Thank you in advance for your interest and happy bidding!

L.I.F.E. Rides the Rapids

Healing Waters guides help a group navigate the American River.

In August, nearly thirty friends of the L.I.F.E. Program, both old and new, went camping and rafting with Healing Waters on the South Fork of the American River. Participants found the trip to be fun, amazing, special, terrific, exciting, healing, and just a wee bit terrifying. For the fourth year in a row the Shanti L.I.F.E. Program teamed up with Healing Waters, an outdoor adventure nonprofit specifically for people with HIV/AIDS, to face the white waters of the American River.

Read more »

San Francisco HIV Health Services Planning Council Commemorates the 20th Anniversary of the Ryan White CARE Act

Shanti and TPAN bring L.I.F.E. to Chicago

Chicago, Illinois–Chicagoans living with HIV/AIDS gain access to innovative health–enhancement program.

Shanti and Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN) are now enrolling for The L.I.F.E. Program® (learning immune function enhancement), an effective, health-enhancement program for individuals living with HIV/AIDS in Chicago. The first L.I.F.E. workshop begins August 11 at TPAN. Space is limited and registration is required. Participation is free, and open to all persons living with HIV/AIDS in Chicago.

L.I.F.E. incorporates the latest research in HIV, immunology, and health into a holistic model of care which empowers persons living with HIV to improve their health. During 13 weekly sessions, participants gain the knowledge, motivation, skills, and support necessary to manage biological, psychological, and social life issues that can impact immune functioning and overall health.

Read more »

Shanti C.A.R.E.S. crosses SF Marathon Finish Line

Congratulations to all of the Shanti C.A.R.E.S. runners who conquered The San Francisco Marathon on Sunday! We are so proud of all of you!!

Team Shanti makes a Splash at AIDS Walk 2010

Team Shanti at AIDS Walk 2010

Congratulations to the team who walked on behalf of Shanti at this year's AIDS Walk San Francisco. Our tiny but mighty team of just over 20 walkers finished among the walk's top 50 fundraising teams, and raised $12,160 to support Shanti's 36th year of providing emotional and practical support for people living with HIV and other long-term or life-threatening illnesses.

Shanti Staff Agency Day

Amidst July's very full calendar of client services, and beneficiary events for AIDS Walk, SF Marathon, Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, and Dore Alley Street Fair, Shanti staff took a well-deserved day off to reflect on their work, plan for the rest of the year, and spend some quality time connecting with each other. This year's first agency day started with a staff meeting at Shanti, where each department shared progress and updates, and the Communications Manager Matthew Simmons presented a sneak peak at the new Shanti website. Staff then headed to the Exploratorium to share a picnic and satisfy their scientific curiosities among the facility's over 600 exhibits. Below are a few photos from the day.

Shanti's 36th Annual Benefit

We’re excited to report that plans for the 2010 Shanti Anniversary Event, are really coming together! Based on the overwhelming success of last year’s event, the 2010 event is shaping up to be bigger and better, with a larger venue, lots of entertainment, and an amazing silent auction. The event will be held at Hotel Nikko, on October 13. Buy your tickets now!

Read more »

Shanti Receives 100K from the AVON Foundation for Women

At yesterday's AVON Walk for Breast Cancer, the AVON Foundation for Women presented Shanti with a check for 100K, 50K a year for two years to support our Lifelines Breast Cancer Program. Thank you AVON for your recognition of this vital program, and congratulations to the Lifelines staff, volunteers, and clients!

Fundraising in the Castro with Beveragine and the Drag Harpies

Today, Shanti supporters Beveragine Remembra and the Drag Harpies hit the corner of 18th and Castro Street to collect donations for Shanti's AIDS Walk team. Thanks to the generosity of the people on Castro,  Beveragine and her drag sisters raised $344.93 for Shanti.

The 3rd Annual Shanti L.I.F.E. Party: "Come As You Are, Show Your Pride"

Shanti LGO/Altruism Project Presents…
The 3rd Annual Shanti L.I.F.E. Party:
“Come As You Are, Show Your Pride”

Sunday, August 29th, 2009 from 12 P.M. to 4 P.M.
Castro Country Club
4058 18th Street, San Francisco CA (between Castro and Hartford Streets)

Read more »

Randy Allgaier Invited to a Reception at the White House with President Obama

Shanti’s Director of Planning Council Support, Randy Allgaier, will be among a group of community leaders attending a reception at the White House with President Obama that will honor the work of the HIV/AIDS community. The July 13th event will coincide with the much anticipated release of the first ever National AIDS Strategy for the United States.

Shanti Co-Presents We Were Here: Voices from the AIDS Years in San Francisco

Join us this Sunday June 20 at the Castro Theatre as Frameline 34 presents a sneak preview of David Weissman's nearly completed film, We Were Here: Voices from the AIDS Years in San Francisco.

Shanti will co-present the screening, and host a post-film community discussion just after the screening, at the MCC at 150 Eureka Street, between 18th and 19th Streets.

Click here for more information about the film. Or buy tickets to the Frameline screening here.

Shanti Community Member climbs Mt. Kilimanjaro

Natalie Bryson, member of the Shanti community and past Shanti employee sent us this photo from the top of Mount Kilimanjaro of her holding up her Shanti T-shirt. Thanks Natalie, for taking us all with you, on your climb!

Join Shanti for AIDSwalk 2010

In 2009, Shanti's team of 30 walkers raised $14,400.00, and this year we are determined to break 15K! Please support Shanti's AIDSwalk team in any of the following ways:

• Join Shanti Team 1268 as a walker or fundraiser, or both!
• When you donate to a staff person on the Shanti team, Shanti receives 100% of your donation!
• Check out our fundraising progress toward our goal of 15K!
• For more info, contact our team captain Megan O'Brien, by email or at 415.674.4708.

Levi Strauss & Co. Supports Shanti

As part of their 10th annual Community Day, employees of Levi Strauss & Co. took a day off of work to volunteer in local communities around the globe.

Read more »

Join Shanti C.A.R.E.S. at the San Francisco Marathon

Join Team Shanti C.A.R.E.S. (Compassionate Athletes Running to Enhance Services), an adult marathon or half-marathon training and fundraising group supporting Shanti’s mission.

Read more »

Shanti Event 2010 Announced: Save the Date

Please save the date for Shanti’s 2010 Event:

Compassion is Universal

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Hotel Nikko

Dinner & Silent Auction

Purchase Tickets Here

Click here to learn more, or to get involved!

San Francisco's Academy of Friends Gala

Tonight was not an ordinary night at Fort Mason. The usual warehouse was transformed into an elegantly decorated Academy Awards gala for Academy of Friends.

Read more »