Maitri Provides 24-Hour Compassionate Care to Low Income Individuals with Advanced AIDS
Photos courtesy of Maitri
Maitri is the only AIDS-specific residential care facility in California focusing on the underserved community of those dying of or severely debilitated by AIDS. Fourteen of 15 beds are reserved for HUD-defined low-income people and represent 90% of San Francisco’s noninstitutional hospice beds. Since opening in 1987, Maitri has been the final home for more than 1300 people who lived with AIDS. Maitri maintains a waiting list of between 10 to 14 people at any given time. The non-profit’s mission statement is: “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.” Current Executive Director Michael Smithwick, who joined Maitri in 2011, will be retiring at the end of the year. Smithwick told the San Francisco Bay Times, “Serving as Maitri’s Executive Director over the last six years has been the most gratifying experience of my life. As I approach retirement at year-end, I now look forward to passing the leadership baton to another.” He is leaving Maitri with a new roof, new HVAC system and financially stable. Maitri staff have told us that they will truly miss his leadership and compassionate spirit. Please mark your calendar now to join Maitri on Saturday, December 17, 2 pm–5 pm, for their annual Holiday Open House at Maitri where all—supporters, staff, board members, volunteers, residents, neighbors and friends— celebrate the joy of the season in classic Maitri style. In 2017, Maitri will be celebrating 30 years of service to the poor/homeless with advanced AIDS. On Sunday, May 7, 2017, Maitri will commemorate its 30th year anniversary at the Golden Gate Club at the Presidio, hosted by one of our favorites: San Francisco comedian Marga Gomez. Save the date!
Maitri Announces New Executive Director, Michael Sorensen Maitri Compassionate Care has announced the appointment of Michael Sorensen as its new executive director. He replaces Michael Smithwick, who announced his retirement on August 5, 2016, which led to Maitri’s Board of Directors launching a nationwide search led by board member Jill Stockwell. Michael Sorensen, MPA, has most recently served as the executive diMichael Sorensen rector of health centers at the National University of National Medicine in Portland, Oregon. He oversaw the business and community affairs of its 20 academic health centers, which offer integrative primary care and classical Chinese medicine. He has a master’s degree in Public Administration from Portland State University’s Hatfield School of Government and received a bachelor’s degree in business, psychology and communications from Marylhurst University in Oregon. During his career, Sorensen has provided a range of services to many organizations, including as Director of Development & Communications at the Cascade AIDS Project and helping the Coalition of Community Health Clinics expand healthcare safety-net services. He has raised more than $20 million in the last decade for the Native American Rehabilitation Association, Native American Youth and Family Center,
10
SA N FRANCISCO BAY T I ME S DE C E MB E R 1 , 2 0 1 6
Michael Smithwick, Toni Newman, Matthew Denckla
and most recently for Cascade AIDS Project, among others. “We are delighted to welcome Michael Sorensen to Maitri,” said Stockwell, “His background in health services and fundraising will ensure a seamless transition. We look forward to working with him to carry out the organization’s strategic vision.” Sorensen will officially begin work on December 19, but all are invited to meet him at Maitri’s Open House on Saturday, December 17 from 2–5 pm. “We would like to thank Michael Smithwick for reversing a serious operating deficit and for raising funds to improve our facility and pay workers equitably,” said Maitri Board President Michael Niemeyer. “We are thrilled to have found a seasoned executive director who can maintain the soundness of the operation.”