Volunteering for an HIV/AIDS Organization?

December 12, 2006 4:09 PM

As part of my Peace Corps application procedure, I have been asked to do some volunteer work with an organization that assists people with HIV and AIDS.

I know that Planned Parenthood in our area works with people who have HIV and AIDS, but I don't know how well someone coming in off the street and saying "I'd like to volunteer for your organization" will work.

What HIV/AIDS organizations are out there that would need and accept volunteers? What organizations might I be overlooking? How do I approach the organizations about volunteering once I find them?

I'm in Fresno, CA.

posted by bryanzera to society & culture (6 comments total)

Since you're between San Fransico and L.A. you might check with the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and AIDS Project Los Angeles to see if they have programs/sites in Fresno. If not, they can likely suggest Fresno-based programs.
posted by ericb at 4:22 PM on December 12, 2006

SF has a ton of HIV/AIDS organizations. And Craigslist, which is huge in SF, has a Volunteers Wanted section. That would probably be a good place to start.
posted by occhiblu at 4:25 PM on December 12, 2006

I found this program "The Living Room" at WestCare:

"WestCare assumed operations of the Living Room, a nonprofit agency in 2003, thus providing WestCare California with an opportunity to develop a full complement of HIV/AIDS-related services in the Fresno community. In addition to offering counseling and related services, The Living Room offers a drop-in center, a food bank, and a hot meals program."

Community Involvement Center - Fresno.
posted by ericb at 4:28 PM on December 12, 2006

These are some places listed for your region. Perhaps your regional office can give you information or even set something up (contact info on right side of page). Good luck.
posted by pants tent at 4:32 PM on December 12, 2006

There's also All About Care in Fresno.
posted by ericb at 4:32 PM on December 12, 2006

Most organizations I've volunteered for have been happy to have me walk in off the street. Though usually, I call, and ask to talk with the volunteer coordinator. There's usually a short interview to determine that I'm not a) a crackpot and/or b) a flake who won't show up for a shift.

You might want to find out what kind of volunteer duties the Peace Corps would like you to do - direct client services? Is stuffing envelopes/answering phones enough? Making sandwiches for meals-on-wheels? That way, you can be clear with the organization(s) you're interested in volunteering for, too.
posted by rtha at 4:34 PM on December 12, 2006