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(l-r) Pat, Dale and Jim. Dale is receptionist.



gary/hing-chee
Hing-Chee and Gary, who does data intake.

folsom
Folsom lived upstairs and visited us every day. Folsom died almost 2 years ago, and still we miss her very much.

volunteers
hrc
Staff and volunteers: (L-R) Carrie, Julieanne, Camila, Sara (behind Camila),
John, Ron, Stephanie, Michelle (with hand in front of face) and Teo.
(Bottom) James of the AIDS Housing Alliance and Tommi.

Like all grassroots organizations, Housing Rights Committee depends on volunteer help to provide the many services we make available to tenants throughout San Francisco.

Volunteers do many great jobs--xeroxing, collating, mailings, data entry, etc. One of the most important jobs is tenants rights counseling, advising clients who walk in the door or call for help. Tenants' problems range from illegal rent increases and evictions to lack of repairs and non-return of security deposits. We do not provide legal counsel, so you don't have to be a lawyer to be a counselor. Volunteers are trained and given a handbook to help them learn about tenants rights protections.

Volunteers also work as receptionists on counseling days (Monday through Thursday), answering the phones and instructing people on the intake process. Without them, we could not help over 4,000 people a year.

Another job that's always needed around the office is that of interpreter or translator. Housing Rights strives to provide counseling in English, Spanish, Mandarin, and Cantonese. At times, there are counselors who speak other languages, as well. We also like to have a Russian speaker on board. Interpreters/translators help with a myriad of tasks--from interpretting for counselors to translating brochures and other literature.

If you're interested in volunteering and being part of our exciting volunteer team, call Tommi or Stephanie at 415-703-8634 or email us at info@hrcsf.org.