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Volunteer with us
Support caregivers through compassionate service and mindful presence in our community-driven volunteer program
Impact
our volunteer caregiving program
Since the founding of Zen Caregiving Project, our volunteer caregiving program in San Francisco has been the heart of the organization offering volunteer opportunities in palliative, hospice, and chronic care settings.
Our volunteer program emphasizes a mindful, human-centered approach in which the spiritual and emotional needs of those we care for are primary.
We train volunteers once during the year. Applicants accepted into our program will undergo an initial 40-hour training over a 10-day period of time once they are accepted into the program. We require a minimum of one year of service for five hours, one day per week. Shift assignments remain the same day and time each week.
*The current application period is now CLOSED.* Check back on this page for details regarding the next submission period. Note: If you completed an application, someone will contact you with an update by February 27th. In-person interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis during the application period.
Volunteer training is the foundation that prepares Zen Caregiving Project volunteers to provide skillful service during their time in the program. Please note that for applicants accepted into our 2026 volunteer training, mandatory dates/time are as follows:
- Wednesday, April 8 - 6pm-9pm
- Thursday, April 9 - 6pm-9pm
- Saturday, April 11 - 9am-5pm
- Sunday, April 12 - 9am-5pm
- Saturday, April 18 - 9am-5pm
- Sunday, April 19 - 9am-5pm
In order to support the costs of volunteer training, those volunteers accepted into the program are asked to pay a fee on a sliding scale. The fee levels for the 2026 training are $250, $300, and $350. No applicant accepted into the training will be turned away due to inability to pay the training fee.
If you have any questions, please email volunteer-applications@zencaregiving.org.
Volunteer Locations
Comprehensive training for dedicated volunteers
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"At Zen Caregiving Project it’s simply about being. I love when I put on my lanyard that says Volunteer, and I can enter a room and offer my presence."
Hospice caregiver
Heidi H.
Volunteer Caregiver
