Volunteer Profile: Sondra Bishop

“ If I see a need, then I do it, whatever it takes.”

Shanti recently profiled one of its beloved volunteers, Sondra Bishop.

Like many long-time San Franciscans, Sondra first heard of Shanti during the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.  “I had several friends with AIDS, so I was affected directly…Shanti also used to have [flyers and billboards up], but it was [mostly] word of mouth – for someone that needed help, Shanti was the go-to organization, actually…. It was a brand name, Shanti.  There weren’t many other organizations that you really could identify with as helping the community….And now when I say [that I’ve volunteered with Shanti], people of that era or of that age group will say “Oh I used to volunteer [for Shanti!]”   

During the HIV/AIDS crisis, Sondra independently supported a number of friends affected by the disease. “I was just helping out 1-on-1…. Most of my volunteering is on a personal level – I’m just one of those people that, if I see a need, then I do it, whatever it takes. “

She became directly involved with Shanti when she enrolled her new canine as a therapy dog through the ASPCA. When the ASPCA assigned her to Shanti, at the Drop-In Center she met one of the Shanti Care Navigators, who asked her if she’d like to attend an upcoming volunteer training. Reflecting on how she felt after completing the training, she declared “I came out of there like I was born again, like…. ‘My eyes are open, you don’t know about this organization, it’s incredible!’” She now visits Shanti’s Drop-in Center during the first two Tuesdays of every month. Sondra also volunteers regularly at Shanti’s annual dinners and events (including PAWS’s Petchitecture, which was held in May). 

When asked what aspect of Shanti’s mission most resonates with her, Sondra stated “The peer support – offering help to the neediest in the community…and that no individual should face a life-threatening illness by themselves. That, to me – I think that says it all….that’s the humanity of the organization. And now that you’ve expanded it to everyone, it’s not like you’re isolating to one disease....It’s non-judgmental.” 

Her occupation: Part-time patient coordinator for a plastic surgeon who performs head, neck & facial reconstructions

How she recharges:  Visiting and conversing with friends.   She used to travel frequently and collect Tibetan art – these days, she mostly enjoys reading and helping people, and like many others in SF, she is “always busy!” 

Her favorite thing about SF: “It’s my home, so of course I love it. I love the fact that it’s small, that you can go from one neighborhood to another, and that each neighborhood is unique to itself – like the tapestry of the community….Everyone comes from someplace else, so it’s a sense of community.”