Who We Are

Maitri is one of San Francisco’s most respected and valued resources in providing care to people severely debilitated by AIDS. Our current home on Duboce Avenue opened in 1997 after ten years as a residential hospice on Hartford Street. Maitri is licensed as a RCFCI (Residential Care Facility for the Chronically Ill), and offers an innovative, multi-focal program designed to meet the changing needs of people living with AIDS in a dignified and caring manner.

The two types of care offered at Maitri are:

• hospice care
• short term medical stabilization

Maitri’s comprehensive program includes these main components:

Whom We Serve

Maitri serves people severely debilitated by HIV/AIDS who are in need of either hospice care or 24-hour nursing care. Our goal is to provide a supportive, nurturing environment in which they can live life to the fullest. We are constantly inspired by our residents' courage and love of life. They teach us about setting priorities in our lives.

Admissions Policy

If you or a loved one, friend, or client would like more information about becoming a Maitri resident, please contact Daniel, our Intake Coordinator, at 415-558-3007 or email.

Admissions Criteria

Prospective residents should meet the following general admissions criteria:

• have an AIDS diagnosis or disabling HIV
• be a San Francisco resident
• be 18 years or older
• have 24-hour care need, skilled care need, or hospice care need
• have annual income of less than $31,950
• accept admissions agreement
• have chest x-ray for TB within one month prior to admission

Admissions Application | pdf

Maitri's Mission Statement

No one should have to suffer or die alone. Maitri provides compassionate residential care to men and women in need of hospice or 24-hour care and cultivates the deepest respect and love for life among its residents and caregivers.

At Maitri, we strive to provide the type of care that each of us would like to receive at the end of our lives – care that is dignified, non-judgmental, unconditional. We hold dear the principle that each resident has the right to determine the degree of choice and awareness with which to experience life and death.

Our History

Maitri came into existence in 1987, when the Zen teacher Issan Dorsey of the Hartford Street Zen Center took in a homeless student dying of AIDS. Located in the heart of San Francisco’s Castro district, Maitri soon grew to become a model eight-bed hospice, a place of solace in a community ravaged by AIDS. As the dynamics of the pandemic changed – new drugs had helped reduce mortality but increased the number of patients living with severe debilitations – Maitri responded flexibly by doubling its capacity and extending care to non-hospice patients. This program expansion coincided with Maitri’s relocation to a state-licensed, custom-designed facility in late 1997. Maitri’s Board of Directors received the Citibank Community Stewardship Award for its vision, foresight and tenacity in seeing this project to completion.

A Brief Note About Maitri’s Founder

Described as “magnetic, magnanimous and luminous,” Issan (Tommy) Dorsey, the colorful founder of Maitri, created a caring community for hundreds of men and women with AIDS, and left behind a legacy of wisdom and compassion that continues to inspire us today. Issan himself died at Maitri of AIDS-related lymphoma in 1990.

From drug-addled drag queen to Zen master, Issan’s life reflected his innate ability to “charm people senseless.” He left a group of followers devoted to deal with whatever came to the door – “We started the hospice because death came to the door.”

For more details about Issan’s life, see Street Zen by David Schneider, Shambala Publications, 1993.

Our People

Maitri employs a small staff housed in the same building as the 15 patient rooms. This allows for a high degree of interaction between staff and residents in their meals, social activities and daily lives, and is the most rewarding aspect of working here. We also enjoy the friendship and dedicated services of many volunteers, including our board members. Our staff and volunteers actively participate in benefit events and resident activities. We are a tight-knit community and relish the opportunity to be professionally and personally involved with such a caring and venerated organization.

California-licensed LVN and CNA positions are available, please contact John Mullin at (415) 558-3019 for more information.

Our Home

Maitri’s residence at 401 Duboce Avenue is a fully accessible, licensed facility offering a nurturing, home-like environment.

Maitri is greatly indebted to Traci Teraoka and Kate Strasburg of the non-profit organization Healing Environments for the interior furnishings of our new home. All furniture and design were contributed by Healing Environments – many, many thanks!