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Can You Volunteer? Here’s How SF Needs Help

SF looking for medical professionals plus every day people to help with wellness calls and delivering meds & other essentials.
By - posted 4/8/2020 No Comment

While everyone is doing their best to curb the spread of coronavirus, a high-risk group such as seniors and people with disabilities are ones more vulnerable and most likely to be affected.

In these uncertain times, we should all come together to support each other in both heartwarming and practical ways. Right now, a little help can go a long way. Let us restore faith in humanity, volunteer and help isolated seniors and people with disabilities in buying groceries, medications and other essential needs or by a simple friendly visit.

Mayor London N. Breed announced a citywide volunteer network to support seniors and people with disabilities during the coronavirus pandemic and throughout the duration of the recently updated Stay Home Public Health Order: 

Be an Emergency Volunteer, here’s what you can do:

  • Get matched with a senior in need through Mon Ami – San Francisco has partnered with a local company, Mon Ami. Volunteers get matched with seniors who need to stay home. You can help them with groceries, errands, or just a friendly phone call. To apply go here.
  • Join the Emergency Response Volunteer Program – San Francisco and the Shanti Project partnered to create the COVID-19 Emergency Response Volunteer (CERV) program. Volunteers help people who need to stay home during the coronavirus outbreak. They provide one-time or occasional support to older and vulnerable populations. Volunteers can provide: Grocery shopping, Delivering medication and other essentials, Assisting with garbage disposal and Mail pickup. To sign up, email helpnow@shanti.org or call (415) 674-4701.  
  • For medical professionals – The San Francisco Department of Public Health (DPH) is seeking licensed medical professionals to volunteer with DPH’s COVID-19 response efforts. Individuals with current licenses should email DHR-EVC@sfgov.org for more info. All licensed medical professionals are encouraged to register.

The Mayor also announced the city’s Department of Disability and Aging Services has expanded its telephone helpline, which is now available seven days a week to connect seniors and adults with disabilities with City services, including food assistance and home care needs. The hotline can be accessed at (415) 355-6700 and operates seven days a week.

Your help means a lot so people with heightened risks can remain safe at home. Spread the message to those who would want to volunteer and share this with those in need. Let’s put some smiles on their faces. We are all in this together.

h/t SF Chronicle