San Francisco

Night Ministry
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2025 Heart to Heart

Every night in San Francisco, Night Ministers listen to people on the street and on the phone—because listening changes everything.
 
On Oct. 8, we’re bringing that same spirit of presence to KQED’s rooftop. Heart to Heart gathers thinkers and doers across industries to talk about the intimacy of listening, the power of spiritual support, and the courage to be heard.
 
📅 Wed. Oct 8 | 6 pm | KQED 2601 Mariposa St.
🎟️ Tickets start at $35 → discounted when you purchase more than one!
 
👉 Come—and help build a world where we truly listen, heart to heart.

Annual Anniversary Gathering

61 years of multi-faith care, lifted in heart, song, and reflective silence— with a joyful community reception to follow!
Whether you’re an old-hat spiritual seeker or a no-hat curious wanderer, you belong here. Join us as we give thanks for six+ decades of listening and spiritual care.
 
📅 Sunday, Sept. 7
🕔 5 pm Service | 6 pm Reception
📍 Buddhist Church of America, San Francisco, 1881 Pine St. (enter @ Pine & Gough)
 
🚗 Parking: Neighborhood parking available, plus 12 spots at 442 August St. Additional parking nearby in Japantown or at St. Mark’s.

You Are Loved - Keep It Going

By including SF Night Ministry in your legacy giving plan, you make that truth real for someon ewalking through the darkest hours. Your gift becomes a quiet voice of hope, a steady presence on the street, a reminder that no one is forgotten. 

Transform your legacy into lasting love. 

Be A Care Line Counselor

Celebrating 60 years of San Francisco Night Ministry with a campaign to train a full 60 Care Line Counselors. You can answer the phone from anywhere in the world…are you one of our next Care Line Counselors?

Two Resources
For Spiritual Caregivers

Life’s challenges can sometimes feel amplified, but you don’t have to face them alone. A recent CPE Cohort built a beautiful resource in .pdf format- and it’s free for you to download and use! 

The .pdf resource is designed to support caregivers through the day’s busyness and the quiet of the night. You can click the button here to download, and we hope you’ll share this freely with colleagues and friends who need it.

We're listening:

6 + 7 =

Years Since 1964

Nights Walking

Beloved City

tending to the human spirit
makes lasting change

Mission

The San Francisco Night Ministry increases access to spiritual care and multifaith community – at night, on the phones, and on the streets.

We do not judge or convert. We meet people where they are and offer loving presence.

QUICK LINKS

Care Line
is for everyone – that includes you!

(844) HOPE-4-SF / (844) 467-3473 | 6 pm – 12 am PT

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Tuesday Gathering
Tuesdays | 6 – 7:30 pm
[email protected]

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2022 Annual Report

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Community Night Walks
We welcome groups to walk with us at night! Click for more information.

Call

It’s for you

Our trained phone volunteers accompany anyone seeking spiritual, emotional or crisis support from 6 pm to 12 am PDT. Call whether you are in San Francisco, New York, or anywhere else in the world. (844) 467-3473

Values

We honor people and support human dignity 

We cherish our common humanity. We do not judge, fix, or convert. We believe time and loving attention is the most precious gift a person can give, and we know the healing power of presence.

 

The Collar

Not what you might think

Our night ministers come from many  traditions. Each person wears whatever works best for their authentic, compassionate outreach.

While some wear a collar because it is easily recognizable, others wear robes or symbols of their tradition. Still others just wear a name tag. Ultimately, everyone is focused on meeting people with care.

WATCH VIDEO

Social Justice 

#SpiritualMatters

Accessing quality spiritual care should not be limited only to those with enough advantage to access it. San Francisco Night Ministry provides spiritual care without borders.

Of course, spiritual care is only one aspect of an interconnected web of skillful response to the crisis of inequities in our city and nation. Fair housing and meeting people’s basic needs are essential. Systemic racism and bias of all kinds must be addressed forthrightly and urgently.

Myth

Most people who are homeless came into San Francisco from another city.

Fact

In 2019, 55% of people living in homelessness reported living in San Francisco for 10 or more years, and just 6% said they’d lived in the city for less than one year.

The latest one-night count in San Francisco found 8,011 people living in homelessness in the city, 17% more than in 2017. That number does not include people in prisons, hospitals and rehabilitation centers who are counted in a supplemental tally. Adding those numbers would put the city’s homeless population closer to 10,000, 30% higher than in 2017.

Join Us

Help us spark hope

There are many ways to get involved:

  • Volunteering as a phone counselor or on night walks or in support of our street programs;
  • Donating meals, silent auction items, and other resources
  • Walking the streets guided by night ministers with your corporate team or community group or faith group on our Community Night Walks
  • Raising awareness through peer-to-peer fundraising 

Pictured: Students from the University of San Francisco providing a meal from their school cafeteria for Open Cathedral as a part of their Food Recovery Network.