Shanti | The Memory Project

The Memory Project

Throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and scattered across the country live thousands and thousands of men and women who gave their time and talents to offer compassionate care to people in need as Shanti volunteers. These volunteers, the clients they served, and the friends and families of the clients often shared extraordinary and life-changing experiences during their times together.

Shanti's Memory Project seeks to bring together as many of these people as possible to share their stories with each other and the world. We believe that much good can come from these remarkable stories about human triumph in the face of tragedy as they are revealed to and experienced by a wider audience.

If you have been—or are now—one of those people who have been changed by your Shanti experiences, please share them with us. If not, please read these pages of memories and let us—or the storytellers themselves— know how you have been affected. Thank you.

To access the stories or send your own story please use the links at the top of the page.

Special thanks to Deborah Jones for permission to reproduce her photographs throughout this section of the website.

A SAMPLE MEMORY

WHEN THE SILENCE IS RIGHT

I was Joseph's volunteer caregiver from 1988 until his death in 1989. On the day we scattered Joseph's ashes, we talked much of Joseph, but we were also quiet. It's not often that I find myself in situations with others when the silence is right, when it is full of meaning. On that Sunday I felt in harmony with the silences of the open spaces that invited Joseph to join us. We spent most of the day talking of Joseph and remembering him and loving him. I've no doubt that he was there with us. There were tears, there was laughter, there was celebration. My relationship with Joseph goes on, for a I remember him, I'll remember that day.

—Gary Shepard

Shanti | 730 Polk Street | San Francisco, CA 94109 | (415) 674-4700

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