A Lifetime of Service

1963
The Christian Reform Church establishes the Friendship House, a multi-service drop-in social service agency as a safe haven for the growing urban Indian community in San Francisco. Helen Waukazoo is a co-founder and takes her first job here as a clerk-typist.

1973
The American Indian community organizes itself and assumes control of the drop-in agency, incorporating as a 501©(3) non-profit named Friendship House Association of American Indians, Inc., of San Francisco. Helen Waukazoo is promoted to bookkeeper.

1981
Friendship House successfully organizes the Indian community to demand support from the City and County of San Francisco for program services - the first time the City has supported the organization since it was created.

1982
Friendship House moves from its Octavia Street location to a former duplex at 80 Julian Avenue in the Mission District. Helen Waukazoo is promoted to fiscal manager.

1987
The Friendship House board of directors considers purchasing
80 Julian Avenue but a vote to buy fails by a slim margin. Helen Waukazoo is promoted to executive director.

1996
Friendship House is recognized for excellence by the Indian Health Service for the third year in a row. The Friendship House board of directors unanimously approves a resolution to search for a suitable site and financing for a new building. Friendship House obtains its first City funding to determine the project feasibility. A consultant is hired to manage the building project. Friendship House begins operating a pilot Job Readiness Support Project.

1997
The agency expands the number of beds at 80 Julian by 50% - from 20 beds to 30 beds, and leases an additional site for administrative offices. The agency budget tops $1 million for the first time. Friendship House begins a five-year Women's Health Demonstration Project.

1998
Friendship House wins the Indian Health Service contract to expand services in Santa Clara County and provide up to 7 residential beds for Indians in the South Bay.

1999
Friendship House obtains a commitment of financing from the City and County of San Francisco to acquire a site on which to build a new, four-story, 26,000-square-foot building which will house 80 beds - almost triple the number of beds available for residential treatment. Friendship House opens escrow on 50 - 68 Julian Avenue.

2000
Additional support for the building project construction costs is identified from various government sources. Friendship House closes escrow on 50 - 68 Julian Avenue. Friendship House launches the Circle of Friends Capital Campaign. Friendship House begins operating a Youth Services and Leadership Development Program. The agency budget tops $2 million for the first time.

2001
Friendship House wins the Indian Health Service contract to expand services in Alameda County and provide residential treatment for women and their children. Friendship House becomes a regional treatment center for the entire Bay Area. Friendship House receives new, five-year federal funding to expand treatment and prevention services. The agency budget tops $3 million for the first time.