The San Francisco Foundation joined Friendship House Association of American Indians (Friendship House) staff and community for a powerful donor salon in support of the Village SF Wellness Center capital campaign. Hosted in partnership with Dr. Sandra Hernández, CEO and President of the California Health Care Foundation, the donor salon brought together community leaders, funders, and advocates—including SFF CEO Fred Blackwell and several SFF Board members and donors.
Throughout the gathering, it was heartwarming to witness stories and powerful reflections of how Helen Waukazoo’s vision, commitment to American Indian power building, and leadership legacy is being realized through The Village SF Wellness Center. This center represents a transformative, nationally recognized Native-led model of holistic healing, featuring SUD treatment for women and their children, step-down transitional housing, comprehensive health services, cultural revitalization programs, belonging, Youth and Elder programs, and intertribal community support. The Village SF will serve over 7,000 community members each year.
Rooted in the strength and wisdom of Indigenous Healing traditions and values, Village SF Project Director Peter Bratt shared, “the Village is more than a place—it is a promise to care for one another, just as Indigenous communities have done for generations.”
Chief Judge of the Yurok Tribal Court Abby Abinanti captured the heart of this vision when she shared: “I want to remind you that for all of us—Native and non-Native alike—this is a Memory. Because we lived in Villages for tens of thousands of years. And in those Villages, we took care of each other always. We were family. No one went to bed hungry. No one went to bed cold. No one felt that they did not have anyone to be there for them. We knew how to take care of each other. The Village is in each one of us, and we will do it together. We are not quitters, we don’t give up, and we don’t give people up along the trail. This Village—this is who we always were and who we will always be… We will not leave anyone behind.”
As Friendship House fundraises for the Village Wellness Center’s capital campaign, we invite you join us in supporting this effort and deepen our shared commitment to this groundbreaking project. The Village SF is shovel-ready, with land acquisition, project approvals, entitlements, and construction documents complete. Construction of the Village SF can commence when the capital campaign is realized.
Friendship House models what being bold and rooted in community means. We are honored to partner with the staff and community partners to ensure that Native healing, cultural reclamation, and community power thrive! If you are interested in supporting Friendship House, feel free to contact our partners: Peter Bratt, Project Director, Peter@friendshiphousehealing.org and Bonnie Wolf, Capital Campaign Director, bonniew@friendshiphousehealing.org.
