Raphael House of San Francisco is a unique family shelter with a live-in Orthodox community and chapel on site, within the OCA Diocese of the West. The Live-In Community at Raphael House provides 3-9 month volunteer internships. The 9 month program begins in September and concludes the following June.

The Live-In Volunteer Program is open to men and women age 18 and older who are interested in combining prayer life and study of Eastern Orthodox Christianity with direct service to families in crisis. Please note that while a prayer life is a central tenant of the live-in community, we never place any religious requirements on the families we serve.

We welcome students and recent graduates who would like to have a meaningful volunteer internship working with homeless families or in our children's program.

Raphael House has hosted Orthodox Christian young people from Germany, Russia, Bulgaria, Romania, Ireland, Tasmania, Australia, Canada, and many parts of the United States.

Find out what makes Raphael House so unique.

Live-in Program inquiries: RHAngela@RaphaelHouse.org