The Native Mentorship in Public Health is an Indigenous wellness initiative designed to facilitate and encourage physical, spiritual, emotional and mental wellness in Indigenous youth in the Bay Area. We train our mentors, all Indigenous college students, to plan and implement holistic health programming in San Francisco. This year we are in partnership with the San Francisco Friendship House, whi
ch promotes healing and wellness by providing substance abuse prevention, treatment, and recovery services that are culturally relevant to Indigenous communities. We provide the youth with a variety of alternative constructive activities, helping to prevent substance abuse by fulfilling the Friendship House's goal of promoting leadership, communication, and self-empowerment skills, as well as personal and social accountability in the youth. These programs include providing healthy food, biking, hiking, providing digital storytelling workshops, and meeting with Indigenous teachers in the community. We work against social, economic, and various systematic barriers that result in our communities being widely underserved. We recognize the beauty and depth of Indigenous thrivance, and we want to foster a space to support the next generation in continuing the legacy of their ancestors. As Indigenous peoples, we are incredibly thankful for all of the knowledge and resources that have been passed down to us from our teachers, elders, and ancestors, from our clans, communities, and nations. If you are able to contribute monetarily, we would greatly appreciate it. If not, we highly value your good energy and prayers. If there is anything we can offer to you in return, please let us know.
