Nor Cal Volunteering

[lauraline]

What are some good ways to find volunteer work in Northern California?

I have only known of Kaiser and John Muir. What are the other options?

Where are you volunteering at? Would also love to hear advice or recommendations for volunteering from anyone who would like to share.

Thanks!

[space monster]

I've been volunteering at Stanford Hospital, and it's been a great experience. I started out in a reception role (basically a go-between for nurses and patient families), and now I'm helping out on a nursing unit. I have limited patient contact in the form of restocking rooms, answering calls (only to find out what they need, not to fulfill their requests!), getting water/blankets, etc. I also help out with filing and answering phones. My feeling is that folks there are very friendly and helpful, and I'm happy to be getting a better sense of what it's like to be on a unit.

The downside is that it is hard to get a volunteer position there right now, as they are pretty full. And it looks like they are going have future volunteers start out either as navigators (info desk, basically) or tram drivers -- you would probably need to do this for 6 months before requesting to be placed on a nursing unit or getting on the ED waiting list. Here is the info: Becoming a Volunteer - Volunteering - Jobs & Volunteering - Stanford Hospital & Clinics - Stanford Medicine

If you are close to the East Bay, this program at Alta Bates looks great: Volunteer Department | Alta Bates Summit Medical Center | Oakland - Berkeley - East Bay Area

Good luck!