Shanti marks 35 years of caringby Matthew S. Bajko

Shanti Executive Director Kaushik Roy.
Photo: Rick Gerharter

When Dr. Charles Garfield founded Shanti in 1974 he could hardly imagine that his fledgling agency would become a lifeline of hope for thousands of gay men just a decade later.

A Sanskrit word meaning "inner peace" or "tranquility," Shanti's main mission is to train volunteers on how to provide emotional and practical support to persons living with life-threatening or chronic illnesses. Over the last three and a half decades it has trained 15,000 volunteers and provided 3 million hours of service to clients.

Click here to read more.

New Short Film for Shanti's 35th Anniversary

New PSA for LifeLines Breast Cancer Program

New PSA of Peer Volunteer Program

Shanti on SF Live

Watch SF Live w/Shanti in Educational  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Shanti director stepping downby Seth Hemmelgarn

Shanti Executive Director Kevin Burns
has announced his resignation.

Saying he loves his job but "it's time to move on," the executive director of Shanti, a San Francisco agency that offers services to people with life-threatening illnesses such as HIV/AIDS and breast cancer, last week announced his resignation.

Kevin Burns, who started volunteering with the agency 20 years ago after seeing people in his "chosen family" die from AIDS, announced his intentions to the board of directors earlier this month. He had been executive director more than three years.

Shanti Celebrates 33 Years Serving Critically Ill Peopleby Dennis McMillan

Honoree Josephine Caffese Loft danced
up a storn with performer Anita Cocktail
at Shanti's Spring Gala.
Photo by Rink.

Shanti, the 33-year-old nonprofit based in San Francisco, held its fundraiser, “Embracing Wellness Gala,” in Fort Mason’s Golden Gate Room on May 31. It featured mistresses of ceremonies Connie Champagne and Anita Cocktail accompanied by the Twilight Vixen Revue, all serving up an evening of comedy and fiery wit. There was also jazz piano music by former Apprentice contestant turned composer and musician, Tim Urban.

Shanti’s programs target San Francisco’s most at-risk women and men – the underserved. With a dedicated, highly professional staff of 35 and over 175 active volunteers supporting over 1,600 men and women each year, Shanti cannot provide its services without generous support from its donors. Eighty-five cents of every donor dollar goes directly to support these programs.

Click here to read more.