Interested in volunteering?
Click here to sign up for events.
Want to make a difference?
Why Volunteering Matters
Volunteering is a powerful way to build meaningful connections, reduce loneliness, and strengthen mental health. When we give our time to others, we often experience improved mood, lower stress, and a stronger sense of purpose.
Helping others even activates the brain’s “feel-good” chemicals—like dopamine and serotonin—which can boost happiness and overall life satisfaction. In fact, studies show that people who volunteer regularly are more likely to describe themselves as "very happy" compared to those who don’t.
But the benefits don’t stop there. Volunteering also offers a natural way to ease stress, anxiety, and feelings of isolation—creating positive ripple effects for both the volunteer and the people they support.
“She has lived here all of her life so it’s been great to learn more about the community I live in from her perspective.
What’s available?
We have a variety of volunteer opportunities available including both virtual and in-person options. Take a look! If you’re interested, please fill out our volunteer interest form below and we’ll be in touch shortly!
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Each month a select few volunteers call our older adults on their special day! This is a wonderful opportunity to bring some cheer to someone who may not otherwise receive well wishes on their birthday.
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Are you artistically inclined? This is our intergenerational program in which one older adult is matched with two volunteers to work on a creative project of their choosing together. Cohorts typically begin in January, May, and September.
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Occasionally, our older adults require an escort to and from medical appointments. This is a meaningful opportunity to help our older adults receive the care they need.
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On the fourth Friday of every month we take a few older adults to Muttville Senior Dog Rescue for cuddle club. We are always looking for volunteers who are willing to escort an older adult to and fro!
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Interested in visiting one of our older adults? We have Saturday in-home visits almost every month. Visits are typically between 10:30 AM and 12:00 PM and you’ll have to pick up a small gift bag from our office on Hyde St prior to visiting your older adult.
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A few times each year we host social gatherings for our older adults. In the past, these have looked like sock hops, discos, and afternoon teas - oftentimes around the holidays! For these events, we need volunteers to help set up and escort our older adults to and fro.
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Want to get outside? This is one of our most popular programs in which you’ll be matched with an older adult to go on a short walk once a week for at least 3 months. We make every effort to make matches that are within a 20 minute walk of one another for convenience!
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Are you tech savvy? Consider helping an older adult learn how to use an iPad independently with our 12 session curriculum. Please note that this opportunity requires an additional program-specific virtual training.
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Looking for a new friend? This is one of our core social programs in which you’ll visit your matched older adult twice a month for at least 6 months with the goal of creating a long-term friendship. Many of our matches have been matched for more than a year! Please note that this opportunity requires an additional program-specific virtual training.
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We are always looking for volunteers who are interested in weekly calls with our older adults. Just 8 minutes on the phone with a friend can change someone’s life!
Volunteer with us.
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly - San Francisco Chapter. Whether you are a seasoned or first-time volunteer, welcome! Please fill out the form below to sign up for upcoming volunteer opportunities.
We require ALL VOLUNTEERS to complete a one-time background check and orientation prior to participating in any of our social programs. Additionally, all individuals must be 18 years or older in order to volunteer.