As I reflect on 2024, I am filled with immense gratitude for the unwavering support of Two Feathers Native American Family Services from our community and partners. This belief in us makes our work possible—and I am filled with appreciation for the continued trust in our mission to heal, uplift, and empower Native youth and families in Humboldt County.
In the past year, we’ve deepened our roots and broadened our impact. Our Youth Leadership Development program employed over 50 Native youth and provided mentorship, mental health support, and culturally grounded leadership opportunities. We continue to provide culturally informed prevention and intervention services in over 12 local school districts, serving 350+ youth in mental health and wellness. Two Feathers’ Community-Defined Evidence-Based program, ACORN, was successfully implemented for the 6th year in a row, serving 150+ Native youth throughout Humboldt County.
Along our prevention work, our organization continues to prioritize Native youth accessing mental health services. Our clinicians, consisting of the largest number of Native mental health clinicians in the county, provided individual counseling to over 280 Native youth and frequently met them in community settings to ensure accessibility and comfort. Our clinicians also continue to integrate traditional healing with modern behavioral health approaches in all of the work that they do.
Throughout 2024, our organization was able to make meaningful progress toward our longterm goals, including: launching supportive housing initiatives, expanding school-based outreach, and advancing our ACORN Youth Wellness curriculum. In late 2024, we began construction of the future Two Feathers Wellness Village, located on the Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation—an idea shaped by youth listening sessions and driven by community voice. The vital knowledge we have gained through this process will help shape future supportive housing initiatives at Two Feathers with a focus of being youth-led.
Looking ahead, we remain committed to growing Native-led solutions, supporting local leadership development, and breaking barriers to healing. Thank you for standing with us. Together, we are shaping a future defined by hope, connection, and cultural resilience.
With deep appreciation,
Virgil Moorhead Jr. Executive Director
Who We Are
Two Feathers Native American Family Services (NAFS) is a Tribal non-profit that provides Native American mental health and wellness programming for children and families of any tribal affiliation in Humboldt County. Chartered under the Big Lagoon Rancheria, Two Feathers NAFS has 43 paid staff, and serves over 400 youth across Humboldt County. They meet the needs of the community by partnering with schools and families to utilize the unique resources, strengths, and the innate wisdom of local Native American youth, elders and their families.
Guiding Principles
Two Feathers programming is built around the philosophy that Relationships Matter. We aim to increase access and integrate cultural practices into treatment and prevention services through deep engagement with youth and families. Through this, we build meaningful relationships with our community, learning from our future ancestors – our youth – and engaging with families to cultivate a thriving community.
What We Do
Two Feathers uses culturally-based interventions that promote holistic health and foster meaningful relationships with young people, allowing for deep engagement and transformative work. Our team members prioritize spending time building trust with clients, developing personalized treatment plans, and offering support to youth and their families. Our comprehensive services include trauma-informed psychotherapy, weekly group sessions, prevention programs informed by local knowledge, and culturally based intensive support in schools or at home.
Prevention strategies focus on healthy behaviors and include culturally based programs, youth mentorship, leadership development, and community and professional training. Our healing program strategies are grounded in both contemporary science and Native-centered belief systems and norms. We use flexible and meaningful outreach and connection strategies that prioritize and are rooted in relationships, with a focus on one-on-one counseling.
Two Feathers
Our mission is to promote the well-being of Native American children and families living on the ancestral lands of Northwest California. We learn and innovate with our community to cultivate healthy and balanced lives. We are committed to advancing equity and justice, and at the heart of that is valuing differences in class, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and other identities. Above all, we focus on providing free, high-quality programming to Native families in Humboldt County.
PROGRAMMING
In 2024, Two Feathers received 247 new referrals, had 289 participants in individual counseling, employed 88 in the youth leadership development program, connected and engaged 476 community members in cultural activities.
Chekws
The Chekws: Hope for Tomorrow counseling program aims to reimagine mental health through uplifting the culture, goals, and aspirations of Native youth. Participation in the program leads to stronger family relationships, enhanced interpersonal and decision-making skills, and increased overall skill development among youth.
total complete sessions 179 number of referrals received 292 number of clients served
7,973
Clinical
numbers: crisis response and safety planning
Chekws is a unique approach that provides innovative, culturally-responsive, traumainformed mental health and well-being services, effectively removing obstacles to clinical care services. Additionally, Chekws works to impact the broader environment for youth through case management and other enriching opportunities provided by its various departmental programs.
Youth enrollment
Of youth enrolled in Chekws, a total of 31 youth also enrolled in Youth Leadership Development during 2024, and a total of 25 youth also connected to Partnership.
Success Story #1 (anonymous : Youth A)
“Youth A” was referred to our services by school staff at a Local Education Agency (LEA) after being expelled for bringing a prohibited object to school. As part of their mandated educational rehabilitation program, they were required to participate in intensive mental health treatment before being considered for re-admission. Two Feathers prioritized an immediate assignment of a Mental Health Clinician and a Peer Support Specialist, each meeting with the youth separately once a week.
The Two Feathers team effectively established a therapeutic rapport with Youth A, which can be difficult when services are mandatory. During this time, the team coordinated Child and Family Team (CFT) meetings with the Child Welfare Services (CWS) social worker, foster parent, and school staff to meet re-admission requirements. The team attended the expulsion hearing, provided documentation of the youth’s engagement in services, and successfully advocated for their re-admission.
Following re-admission, the team helped create and implement an individualized school safety plan. Youth A continued to receive weekly therapy and peer support services and was enrolled in Two Feathers prevention activities. However, readjustment was challenging, and the youth needed extra support to address behavioral issues that risked their student status within the district.
In response, Two Feathers increased the frequency of CFT meetings, strengthened school advocacy, and expanded positive extracurricular involvement through prevention programs. Peer Specialist services were also enhanced to include classroom support and one-onone assistance. With these interventions, the youth was able to find their footing, and no behavioral incidents occurred for the rest of the school year. Youth A met all treatment goals and “graduated” from mental health therapy over the summer. During the current school year, they continue to participate in Two Feathers prevention activities and meet weekly with their Peer Support Specialist.
Success Story #2 (anonymous: Youth B)
“Youth B” self-referred to Two Feathers’ mental health therapy after hearing about a peer’s positive experience with their Two Feathers clinician on campus. Initially, the youth sought help to make a Child Welfare Services (CWS) report due to concerns about feeling unsafe at home, which led to their removal to foster care.
After establishing a therapeutic relationship, the youth opened up about suicidal ideation and requested assistance with depression, anger management, and substance use issues. They reported significant recent behavioral challenges, including risky behaviors and fighting with peers both at school and in the community. In therapy, the youth was able to understand the impact of violence on their family, and developed a commitment to standing up against the cycle of intergenerational trauma.
Youth B was reunited with their family and advocated for the other siblings to also engage in mental health therapy. Youth was referred by their clinician to the Youth Leadership Development (YLD) program as a high school student. Initially, they struggled in the program due to conflicts with peers and substance use. However, with support from their mental health clinician and the YLD Youth Development Specialist, they made significant progress toward their mental health treatment goals. They recovered from substance use disorder, built a positive vision for their future through YLD activities, participated in youth advisory panels, and spoke at mental health conferences.
Ultimately, Youth B graduated early from high school and became a youth leader and role model for their peers as a TF Senior Youth Ambassador in the YLD program. They are passionate about helping other youth break the cycle of violence and substance use through their caring mentorship, role modeling, and peer support.
ACORN
ACORN is a year-long cultural program for youth aged 9 to 18 that aims to reconnect Native American youth with traditional cultural practices and provide mentorship to support their growth. The program focuses on improving health and wellness by fostering friendships, strengthening intertribal connections, and enhancing cultural identity and self-efficacy. 2024 marked its sixth year!
Eureka Municipal Auditorium
We began this event with Wiyot language recordings from a youth at Loleta School. The 30 youth attendees then had the option to roller skate inside or play competitive games outside. Participants also got to taste test smoked eel!
Sue-Meg
We offered a variety of engaging activities for the 60 youth participants, including a brush dance protocol and demonstration workshop led by Zack Brown and Kayla Maulson. The youth also had the option to choose a primary activity to participate in: bear grass braiding, a scenic hike and rock climb through the state park, acorn processing after a guided tour of Sumeg village, or an arts and crafts project.
Mill Creek Hike
Ellen led 25 youth on a day hike along the Mill Creek trail, teaching plant identification and traditional Hupa lessons throughout the day. For lunch, the group stopped by the water to fish and swim.
Pine Nut Workshop
Two Feathers invited Teresa M. LeBeau and Barbara Wolfin from Pit River Nation to lead a “Making Medicine with CA Pine Nuts” workshop for our ACORN Youth Wellness Program participants. Youth learned the steps of processing pine nuts, from gathering to regaliamaking, and many were very impressed by the amount of work involved in preparing pine nuts for ceremonies.
Ner-er-Nerh Day’s Collaboration
Two Feather’s ACORN Youth Wellness Program collaborated with Trinidad Rancheria’s Stick Programming, No Time Outs, and Zac Brown to host a Stick Workshop at Ner-er-Nerh Day in Trinidad. Our young men not only participated in the workshop but also played in the tournament. Throughout the day, the youth experienced cultural enrichment by watching dance demonstrations and viewing art displayed by local Native artists and vendors.
Dress Making: Coast
This year marks the conclusion of our Dress Making series. Our ACORN Youth Wellness Flower Dance Programming began in the summer of 2019 with “Regalia Day,” and we have been running Flower Dance workshops and groups every year to prepare for the incredible achievements resulting from this program. Over the years, our girls have learned about dress-making materials, steps, and considerations in creating their own dresses, sung songs, enjoyed good food, designed dresses, and built friendships.
In October 2023, we met to design the dress, and in 2024, we gathered with the goal of creating a ceremonial dress. In July, the dress was completed, and she was able to dance for the first time at the Sue-Meg Brush Dance. Forty youth and six staff members infused this dress with their medicine, and we are very proud of all of you. The hours spent braiding bear grass, grinding clamshells, cleaning pine nuts, designing, beading, and sewing reflect the love poured into this dress.
A huge thank you and hug to our cultural consultant, mentor, friend, and auntie Rachel Sundberg, for helping us make this happen. You have been instrumental in creating a safe space for our youth and staff. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us! We love and appreciate you so much!
Shout out to Key-se-loh Reed for being our model for this dress. Key-se-loh was the first girl to wear this dress in the girls’ round Sunday morning at Sue-Meg. GREAT JOB, KEY-SE-LOH!
Dress Making: Hoopa
To provide equal opportunities for youth across the county, Two Feathers has launched a Dress Making series at Hoopa Valley High School in Hoopa, involving youth from 6th grade and up. We are incredibly excited to share the amazing journey of our Hoopa Valley High School and Elementary School youth as they learn to create ceremonial dresses through our ACORN Youth Wellness Program. This series not only helps them develop valuable dressmaking skills but also teaches them about the Flower Dance. Our youth are honored and thrilled to have received an invitation to participate in a Flower Dance this summer. We look forward to seeing their dresses dance in the Brush Dance.
A heartfelt THANK YOU to our amazing cultural consultant, Misty Knight, for her unwavering support and guidance in teaching our group. We truly appreciate the knowledge you’re sharing with us.
Abalone Sisters
In the 2023-2024 school year, Two Feathers hosted Abalone Sisters. This program was organized through our ACORN Youth Wellness Program as small pilot cultural groups serving young girls in the community. We held two small groups, one at the McKinleyville office (for individuals aged 12 and above) and one at Hoopa Valley Elementary School (for 3rd- to 5thgrade students). Our youth learned cultural and traditional skills while experiencing mentorship and building positive relationships within the group.
We had 3 Youth Ambassadors from the YLD Department come and help mentor the Abalone Sisters. The girls began with bear grass braiding and acorn processing, and described it as a “satisfying process” and “very therapeutic.” We thank our cultural consultant and mentor, Rachel Sundberg, for trusting us to help process her acorns.
Young Bucks
Young Bucks is our Young Men’s Development group, which meets for sessions centered around cultural activities. In the past, we have done drum making, traditional gambling, eel hook making, and Brush Dance practice. In 2024, 85 young men participated in the program. The highlight for 2024 was our September trip, where a group of Young Bucks went on an overnight fishing and camping trip.
Salmon Fest/Salmon Fishing Campout
In September 2024, the Young Bucks went on an overnight fishing and camping trip on the Klamath River (Weitchpec). They learned how to set a gil net, catch salmon, clean them, and cook fish the traditional way on a redwood stick. 10 youth, 4 cultural mentors, and 2 staff attended this wonderful event, and the evening was spent cooking salmon on redwood sticks while listening to traditional stories by firelight. Youth who have behavior issues at school were very respectful and engaged. Everyone who came took home salmon, and we were able to donate fish to a local ceremony.
ACORN Youth Spotlight: Jason Weldon
Jason Weldon is sophmore at Mckinleyville High School and a member of the Yurok Tribe. Jason has been part of the program for the past few years and is always excited and happy to be there. His favorite part of ACORN is when it’s time to eat and is very interactive with the other youth and staff. Jason participated in the Brush Dance demo, dressed up for the first time, and was very brave by practicing jumping in the center for the first time with one of our cultural mentors.
Youth Leadership Development (YLD)
Two Feathers’ Youth Leadership Development (YLD) Program aims to develop leadership and professional skills while fostering connection and wellness. The YLD Program provides Native American youth, ages 15-21, the opportunity to develop leadership and advocacy abilities while deepening their connection to others, community, and culture. Activities include peer advising, employment preparation and support, certifications (first aid, food safety, etc.), conflict resolution, landscaping and gardening, event planning, youth activities, cultural education, team building, public speaking, and problem-solving.
Native Youth Ambassador Spotlight: Jasper Wilson
Jasper Wilson is a 18 year old senior at Mckinleyville High School and a member of the Yurok Tribe. He became a Youth Ambassador with Two Feathers in 2023.
Jasper has shown significant growth over the past few years since I met him. He has gone from being a very shy, reserved young person to a young man who participates in group activities, speaks up at conferences, and helps set a positive example for the younger kids around him. He set and achieved his goal of being less shy and reserved by taking healthy risks and stepping out of his comfort zone. He will share his opinion on topics in group discussions and speak up and present when needed. Jasper is a young man who challenges himself by attending youth conferences, participating in seminars, and going to youth wellness training, which helps him take healthy risks in his life.
Senior Youth Ambassador Spotlight: Trinity Mace
Trinity Mace is a 20-year-old Yurok tribal member and a high school graduate. She began working as a Senior Youth Ambassador in 2023. When she first started working with Two Feathers, she was quiet, shy, and struggled with social anxiety. We have all watched as she emerged with more confidence and self-esteem, tackling each task with a positive attitude and a helping mindset.
During her employment with the Youth Leadership Program, Trinity has achieved the goals she set for herself. The most recent achievement was obtaining her driving license and purchasing her first car. We have watched Trinity walk through her fears and become an eloquent speaker at numerous conferences and webinars. She has also shown support to others when they were given a speaking opportunity for the first time. Trinity is passionate about serving as a mentor to youth in her community and works at a local high school, providing supportive and engaging services. Trinity’s future goal is to enroll in college to work towards her psychology degree. We are all so very proud of Trinity and look forward to seeing where the future takes her.
OUTREACH EVENTS
Supporting Our Local Schools
We host extensive events to support our community through local schools, including backto-school nights, school outreach, and activities during spring, winter, and summer breaks. The youth remain engaged and excited throughout, creating a positive and lively atmosphere that makes the events truly enjoyable for everyone involved!
Back-to-School Night
On September 24, Hoopa Elementary buzzed with excitement as nearly 400 students and families joined in the festivities. The day was filled with laughter and joy, featuring bounce houses, lively face painting, and new haircuts for everyone. Each person left with a free shirt, eager to promote their Hoopa Elementary spirit all year long!
Spring Break
For Spring Break, we organized great events for youth ages 10 to 18 on April 15 and 16. On April 15, participants enjoyed a fun day at DREAM Athletics, exploring the gymnastics equipment. The excitement continued on April 16 at Bear River Family Entertainment Center, where another 53 youth played arcade games, bowled, and went laser tagging.
Orleans Summer Programming
From July 9 to July 31, Orleans and Junction school youth consistently attended Tuesdays and Thursdays, with numbers ranging from 30 to 40 (a significant increase compared to previous years). The Karuk led a salve with mugwort demonstration for participants and Math and Science Camp visited on multiple days. Lastly, Save California Salmon took us on a field trip to look at a watershed off-site.
McKinleyville Middle School Outreach
Our ongoing McKinleyville Middle School Outreach in 2024 has welcomed over 90 students from 6th to 8th grades during their lunch hour. This school drop-in program has grown to include group activities, fostering a sense of community among the students. A highlight is the monthly cultural share, which features engaging presentations like Brush Dance, Stick games, and traditional gambling. The Native American Club, in particular, has been very active, with over 70 students participating.
Holiday Celebrations
Halloween
Halloween Block Party Event and Herkl-perth “Stick” Tournament
In addition to our Block Party event, Two Feathers hosted its first-ever Stick Tournament (Herkl-perh) at our annual Halloween celebration as part of our ACORN programming, with support from our Youth Ambassadors. We partnered with the Yurok Language Program and Zack Brown’s Stick Game Program No Time Outs. We also brought in the Kibby dance crew to add to the community’s cultural sharing opportunities. Over 700 community members attended the tournament, block party, and other festivities.
3rd Annual Spooky Trail Walk “CHAH-Gah-CHO Trail”
An event from Project Venture, the 3rd Annual Spooky Trail Walk, took place on October 26th. It engaged Native and non-Native youth in creating the walk and attracted over 700 participants.
Egg Hunt
The 3rd annual Easter party on March 29, 2024, at Pierson Park/Azalea Hall drew 1,000 attendees with food vendors, live music, a DJ, face painting, games, and an Easter bunny egg hunt. A beading activity for youth was also available, supported by Youth Ambassadors and various community partners, promoting a strong sense of community involvement.
Other Community Events
2SLGBTQIA+ Events
Hoopa Valley Rainbow Extravaganza 4.0!
The annual Rainbow Extravaganza was held on the NF front lawn and attracted over 100 participants of all ages. More than 10 organizations from across Humboldt joined in support of the event, offering resources, fun activities, and opportunities to connect. This event was co-hosted by Two Feathers and Queer Humboldt. Other organizations present included DHHS, ORCA, NCIDC, Open Door, Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Planned Parenthood, Raven Project, North Coast Rape Crisis Team, Providence, Hoopa Valley High School Teachers, Hoopa Language, North Coast Aids Project, Humboldt County TAY, Boys and Girls Club, and California Save the Salmon.
Two Feathers BAAITS Powwow Trip February 2024
We took 9 youth to witness the Bay Area American Indian Powwow while touring San Francisco GLBT Historical Society museum!
Giants Game Night
On June 14, 2024, ten Two Feathers staff, Youth Ambassadors, and their families traveled to San Francisco for the annual Native American Heritage Night at the Giants game, where the youth performed a Brush Dance demonstration.
2024 Skate Camp
On June 24-26, we partnered with the Humboldt Skate Collaborative to introduce youth to skateboarding through a 2-day Skate Camp. We had 25 local youth consistently attend camp at Willow Creek.
CHÍMI NU’ ARÁRIIHKANHEESH: THE HEALING JOURNEY
Red Carpet Premiere
On June 10 at the Arcata Playhouse, the Two Feathers’ short film “Chími kan nu’aráriihkanheesh: The Healing Journey” premiered. The film highlights the impact of substance use on the lives of our youth and sheds light on the challenges Native youth face in our community while pursuing a path towards healing. Over 150 community members attended and brought their best looks to the red carpet!
TRAININGS AND CONFERENCES
TF School Health & Wellness Conference: “Celebrating Positive Youth Native American Mental Health”
The 5th annual TF School Health & Wellness Conference, “Celebrating Positive Youth Native American Mental Health,” drew in 474 attendees. This free virtual event, held on September 25 from 9am to 4pm and September 26 from 9am to 3pm, brought together educators, school administrators, Native American community members, and professionals committed to supporting Native youth. Participants examined culturally relevant and science-based strategies focused on improving the mental health and wellness of Native American youth and families.
North Coast 2 Spirit Conference
The North Coast Two Spirit conference is an annual collaborative event hosted by Two Feathers, Queer Humboldt, and the Wiyot Tribe. This year, the conference was held in Eureka, CA, on September 29, 2024. The event began at 10am and ended at 4pm with a break for lunch at midday. The conference is an opportunity to share current efforts in the County to support 2S/LGBTQIA+ youth and build connections amongst organizations and individuals to make the North Coast a safe space for 2S/LGBTQIA+ youth.
The conference began with a keynote presentation by Dr. L. Frank Manriquez, followed by a lunch catered by FryBread Love. After lunch, representatives from Queer Humboldt and the Two Spirit Dry lab shared data collected locally over the past three years, focusing on feelings of safety at school as reported by students, with breakdowns by sexual orientation and gender identity. The presentation included data from local high schools, including Hoopa Valley High School and Fortuna High School. Following the presentation, a panel of three local Native youth who identify as 2S/LGBTQIA+ shared their experiences. The day concluded with a collaborative mural project and talking circle, titled “Our Prayers,” facilitated by local two-spirit Indigenous community organizer Maxi Lopez.
Cultural Humility and Protocols Training, hosted by Cultural Programs Department
In July, our Cultural Programs Department hosted a Cultural Humility and Protocols Training for two Feathers staff members. Since some staff are invited by families and youth to attend ceremonies, this training aimed to ensure our team understands the protocols related to the Brush Dance Ceremony. We also wanted to offer insights into how ceremonies shape our youth’s worldviews, helping our staff connect more deeply with them. The first day included classroom discussions and logistics about the ceremony, while the second day featured place-based learning at Sue-meg with some of our cultural mentors. A big thank you to the ceremonial leaders for their warm welcome and to Rachel Sundberg for sharing her knowledge with us!
LOOKING FORWARD
Hoopa Wellness Village
During 2024, Two Feathers was able to braid various funding sources to get the total needed funds for the future Two Feathers Wellness Village on the Hoopa Valley Reservation. Four different funders devoted money to making this vision a reality: The Center at Sierra Health Foundation, The California Department of Health & Human Services, California Department of Housing and Community Development, and Vesper Society. Each of these different funders play a key role in the kind of services to be offered once construction is complete and services open to the public. These services range from counseling, cultural & prevention work, transitional housing, and physical health. By December of 2024, a design was finalized for the project and construction began. We will continue to incorporate youth voices in all stages of the project so that it can become a youth-led space for wellness & healing.
McKinleyville Wellness Center
Additionally, Two Feathers procured property to establish a community wellness center in McKinleyville. Site plans were developed, which include converting and connecting the existing buildings into a highly functional space, serving clinical, recreational, and wellness needs. Grant applications were submitted to support required renovations and vision actualization.
Revenue Breakdown $6,326,331 $5,363,885
In 2024, Two Feathers billed a total of $473,223 to Specialty Mental Health Services through Medi-Cal, averaging $40,000 per month with a high of $59,000 in May . With this increased billing, we were able to request a cap raise for the Fiscal Year 2024-25, which was approved. Our cap was raised from $300,000 to $480,000. Two Feathers was also awarded a 2 year grant to support building out the infrastructure to provide Enhanced Care Management contracted with Partnership insurance. Services are projected to begin in 2025.
Our Staff
Our staff and our community are intertwined. We come from a diverse range of backgrounds and expertise, and are collectively oriented towards caring for the wellbeing of our youth, elders, and community members.
Ethnicity
Staff Spotlight: Itzel
Itzel De Dios serves as the Access Coordinator at Two Feathers NAFS, bringing a wealth of experience to her role. As the proud daughter of Mexican immigrants and a first-generation college graduate from Cal Poly Humboldt’s Social Work program, Itzel is deeply committed to values of cultural humility, advocacy, and community empowerment. With over six years of supporting families from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences, she is dedicated to removing barriers to care. Itzel is skilled at building trust with families, understanding their stories, and guiding them through the referral and intake process with compassion and respect. Besides her direct work with families, Itzel also supports MediCal compliance and billing, which is vital to keeping Two Feathers providing excellent services. You’ll often find Itzel at our McKinleyville site or traveling across Humboldt County to meet with families as part of her role. Itzel is proud to be part of a mission-driven team that reflects the community’s strength and diversity.
Staff Spotlight: Rudy
Rudy Garcia brings energy, dedication, and heart to his role as a Youth Development Specialist. As a mentor, coach, and guide, Rudy works closely with Youth Ambassadors, helping them grow into confident, capable young leaders. This year, he supported a group of five Youth Ambassadors, focusing on essential life skills such as resilience, selfadvocacy, effective communication, and creating a healthy life balance. This year, Rudy formed a meaningful partnership with the College of the Redwoods, where his Ambassadors contributed to building a communityaccessible trail near the campus—leaving a lasting impact on both the land and their personal growth. He also led a powerful project with his young men, guiding them through the full process of building traditional drums from start to finish—an experience rooted in creativity, discipline, and cultural connection.
Whether he’s mentoring students at local middle schools or collaborating with community partners, Rudy shows up every day with positivity, purpose, and a deep passion for youth empowerment.
Partners
Our work would not be possible without the support of our generous and collaborative individual, grant, and foundation support.
