Aging in place is often described as a solo journey, but at San Francisco Village, we
know it takes a whole community. We believe that independence is only possible through interdependence, and there are moments when a little extra help—a steady hand in the garden or a patient guide through a new tablet—makes all the difference in staying connected to the world we love.
This is where our Days of Service come in. These aren’t just volunteer events; they are
community bridges built between generations and industries, right in the living rooms and backyards of our city.
Take, for instance, our recent afternoon with the AcuityMD team. They arrived with
technical expertise, ready to tackle computers, tablets, and other gadgets, but they left behind something far more enduring: confidence. Guided by SFV Board member Lana Puckett and our Volunteer Manager, Cat Tong, these volunteers sat side-by-side with eleven of our members.
In those one-on-one sessions, the frustration of a frozen screen melted away into the joy of being free to use it however they wanted. As one member shared with a smile, “My problems are all solved! I can finally start using my tablet!”
Also, this spring, we were joined by a vibrant team from the Katherine Delmar Burke School for a special Gardening Day of Service. In a single day, volunteers gathered in small groups of 2 and 3 and were sent out across the city—from the hills of Glen Park and Bernal Heights to the streets of the Castro and the Inner Richmond.
They spent a few hours weeding, trimming, and pruning, proving that a tidy garden is about much more than curb appeal. For our members, a clear walkway and a managed garden are essential for safety and accessibility. By helping with these chores, the Burke’s School team directly supported our members in continuing to thrive in their own homes.
Partner With Us
We are looking for more companies and groups to join us in future Days of Service. This is a unique opportunity to step outside the office and into the heart of our community to support elders and build lasting relationships with your work colleagues.
How it works:
- We host groups of up to 20 volunteers.
- Your team is organized into small groups of 2-3 people.
- Teams visit members’ homes for 3-4 hours to assist with gardening,
tech support, organizing, or cleaning. We can also host a Tech Day of Service at our office.
Wonderful connections are made during these special days, and the impact is felt long after the tools are put away. If your team is interested in volunteering, we would love to hear from you.
Ready to make a difference? Email our Volunteer Manager, Cat Tong at cat@sfvillage.org today to schedule your team’s Day of Service or fill out our application below.
Sara joined the team in 2018. She brings with her 20 years of experience in community development, philanthropy, and organizational management. She completed her bachelors at George Washington University and her masters at UC Berkeley. Her career focus has been on evaluating how community groups run from year-to-year and strengthening daily processes to increase institutional success. Sara loves travel and global development issues, particularly a non-profit she founded 10 years ago focusing on students’ access to school in Cambodia. Sara is raising her family here in San Francisco.
Maya is a public relations and communications professional with more than a decade of experience; her expertise includes consumer products and technology PR, as well as event management and content development. She has been a pro-bono consultant with the Taproot Foundation since 2012, and has participated in three service grants to date. Maya attended the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and graduated with a BA in mass communications and a minor in political science.