Helen Waukazoo Receives
2009 Minerva Award
Press Telegram
October 28, 2009
Navajo Times
October 28, 2009
Friendship House Board of Directors
October 25, 2009
The Friendship House Board of Directors warmly congratulates
Chief Executive Officer Helen Devore Waukazoo on receiving the prestigious Minerva Award to be presented
to her by California First Lady Maria Shriver at the
California Women's Conference in Long Beach, California
on Oct. 27, 2009.
The Minerva Award has been presented annually since
2004 "to honor women who have stepped forward in
the spirit of Minerva, the Roman Goddess who graces
the California State Seal, to change our world with
their courage, their strength, and their wisdom. The
awards celebrate women who work "24/7" on
the frontlines of humanity to make this world a more
compassionate, tolerant and just place. These women
have created lasting legacies that they are passing
on to others." (www.californiawomen.org)
Past awardees have included The Honorable Nancy Pelosi,
Former First Lady Betty Ford, Mimi Silbert (Delancy
Street), Billie Jean King, Louise hay, Eunice Kennedy
Shriver, Gloria Steinem and others. A film of Helen's
accomplishments narrated by Maria Shriver will be screened
to over 15,000 conference attendees when her award is
presented.
We are proud of our dynamic and accomplished Chief Executive
Officer, Helen Devore Waukazoo, and pleased that her
achievements have been recognized and widely hailed
State-wide by this esteemed group. Congratulations,
Helen!
Signed,
President Ron Rowell (Choctaw/Kaskaskia)
on behalf of the Board of Directors,
Friendship House Association of American Indians, Inc.
of San Francisco
Friendship House Announces Stronghold Project
October 2, 2009- The level of methamphetamine consumption in
San Francisco is very high
compared with that of most other cities. Also, nationwide reports
of methamphetamine abuse by American
Indians increased more than 60 percent from 2002 through
2006. Young adults aged 18-26 are most prone to use meth and
national data shows that Native American use rates are 4.2 times
higher than for whites. In response to this problem and to a
strong prevention need within the urban Indian community, we
are proud to announce that the recently funded Stronghold
Project will bolster meth and suicide
prevention services within the Friendship House Association
of American Indians. The Friendship House operates from the
perspective that if American Indians have a positive, strong
identity they will value themselves, their families, and their
communities and that these will serve as protective factors
that prevent meth use or suicide.
Friendship House Receives $20,000 Grant
from The San Francisco Foundation
May 6, 2009- Friendship House Association of American Indians,
Inc. of San Francisco received approval for a grant in the amount
of $20,000 from The San Francisco
Foundation to support youth prevention and community prevention
activities including community events that promote healing and
wellness.
"We are greatly appreciative of the ongoing
support from our friends at The San Francisco Foundation,"
says Helen Waukazoo, Chief Executive Officer. "At this
crucial economic period in our country, it's wonderful to receive
support for these programs that may be challenged in the future
due to budget cuts at funding sources for these very important
programs."
In addition to its nationally recognized residential
treatment program, Friendship House also manages a large youth
prevention program that specializes in culturally-based programming
for at-risk American Indian youth. Friendship House has maintained
the youth program for the past 25 years. These programs include
afterschool tutoring, mentoring, individual counseling, family
counseling, outdoor recreational activities, week-long summer
retreats, and community service. A highlight of the youth program
is an afterschool weekly traditional American Indian dance class
which culminates in a youth powwow at the end of the year. More
than 125 youth participate in the youth program annually.
Friendship House maintains a long history of support
and collaboration with The San Francisco Foundation in a variety
of areas including grant support, awards and recognition, and
increasing the visibility of the American Indian community in
the San Francisco Bay Area.
For more information please contact Ashley Phillips,
Director of Development and Communications, at 415-865-0964.
Wells Fargo Foundation
Awards Friendship House $25,000
March 16, 2009- Friendship House is the recipient
of a $25,000 grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation for general
operating support. A check presentation was held in the Great
Hall at Friendship House in which Philip Duarte of Wells Fargo
presented Chief Executive Officer Helen Waukazoo with a large-sized
check.
“We are very grateful to the Wells Fargo
Foundation for this contribution,” says Helen Waukazoo
, Friendship House Chief Executive Officer. “We are honored
by Wells Fargo Foundation’s continued support of Friendship
House and the American Indian community. We are especially grateful
to our friends at Wells Fargo Foundation, Philip Duarte and
Mario Diaz.”
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