Maitri began in 1987, when Issan Dorsey, a teacher at the Hartford Street Zen Center, took in a homeless student dying of AIDS. We soon grew to become a model eight-bed hospice in the heart of San Francisco’s Castro district, a place of solace in a community ravaged by AIDS.

As the dynamics of the epidemic changed (new drugs helped reduce mortality, but increased the number of patients living with severe debilitations), Maitri responded by doubling its capacity and extending care to non-hospice patients. In 1997, we relocated to a state-licensed, custom-designed facility.

In recent years, we’ve expanded our care to meet the needs of our community and begun serving people recovering from gender affirmation surgery. Today, more than 80% of our clients come to us for short-term medical respite and restorative care or gender affirmation care.

As of 2020, we’re offering BRANCH Aftercare to help support former residents as they transition into independence. BRANCH Aftercare includes ongoing therapy, case management, and invitations to events at Maitri.

Please support us by registering or donating to AIDS Walk San Francisco. Thank you for helping us to continue our mission of "no one should have to suffer, transition, or die alone."