March continued the year with connection, creativity, and community care. Throughout the month, youth and staff came together through cultural programming, wellness activities, and gatherings that created space for learning, laughter, and relationship building. From time spent outdoors to moments of cultural sharing and mentorship, March highlighted the power of coming together and supporting one another.
Here are some highlights from a month filled with connection, culture, and meaningful experiences.
Chekws Counseling Services March Data
March was a busy and impactful month for our counseling team at Two Feathers! Our clinicians and interns provided 600 hours of individual support across 191 clients throughout Humboldt County from Eastern Humboldt to Northern and Southern Humboldt. With 15 dedicated staff and 2 amazing interns, we also welcomed 7 new clients into our circle of care. Every hour spent represents a moment of connection, healing, and growth for our Tribal youth and families.
2026 James Irvine Award Presented on Senate Floor
Our Executive Director, Virgil Moorehead Jr., and YLD Director, Amy Mathieson, were honored on the Senate Floor with the 2026 James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award — check it out!
Now Accepting Applications: Youth Ambassador Program
Two Feathers is excited to announce that applications are now open for our next cohort of Youth Ambassadors and Senior Youth Ambassadors! These paid leadership opportunities support youth in building skills, gaining work experience, and making a positive impact in their communities. Applications for both positions are due by May 1st.
We are prioritizing online applications; however, if access is a barrier, physical applications are available upon request.
We encourage you to share this opportunity with youth, clients, and community partners. Please reach out if you have any questions or would like additional information.
Youth Ambassadors
Applicants must be entering their junior or senior year of high school in the upcoming school year and be able to commit to the full program, which runs through mid-May 2026. Positions begin June 15th and start at $16.90/hour.
Senior Youth Ambassadors
Applicants must be graduating high school this year or have already graduated. This position is open to both former Youth Ambassadors and new applicants. Positions begin June 15th and start at $17.50/hour. A resume is required with the application, and support is available for those who need assistance preparing one.
Two Feathers Awarded Non-Profit of the Year!
We’re honored to share that Two Feathers Native American Family Services was recognized as Non-Profit of the Year at the McKinleyville Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 Members’ Choice Awards. This annual awards event brings together local businesses and community members to celebrate organizations making a meaningful impact, with honorees selected by chamber members for their dedication and service to the community.
This recognition reflects the strength of our community and the collective commitment to uplifting Native youth and families. We are deeply grateful to our partners, supporters, and community members who continue to believe in this work and walk alongside us. This award truly belongs to all of you.
Youth Employment Initiative
Two Feathers Native American Family Services is excited to share an opportunity for Native youth through the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI), a statewide workforce development program designed to support young people in building meaningful pathways to employment. This program serves Native youth ages 16–24 who may be navigating disabilities and/or justice system involvement, offering tools, resources, and individualized support to help them successfully transition into the workforce.
Youth may qualify for the program if they identify as Native American (tribal registration not required), are between the ages of 16–24, have an IEP, 504 plan, or diagnosed disability, are currently in school or planning to enroll in higher education or vocational training, and have current or recent involvement with the justice system.
Through strong partnerships with Humboldt County Probation, Tribal Courts, the Office of Education, the Department of Rehabilitation, and other community-based organizations, YEI works to uplift youth goals and create supportive, culturally responsive pathways forward.
Referrals are open on an ongoing basis, with no deadline to apply!
For more information or support with referrals, please contact Itzel De Dios (Access Coordinator) at 707-298-0003 or itzel.d@twofeathers-nafs.org, or Rachel Fusi (Outreach Manager) at 707-498-0017 or rachel.f@twofeathers-nafs.org
Native Leadership at the Table: Advancing Solutions for Boys and Young Men
On March 25, 2026, California leaders gathered in Sacramento to address a growing crisis facing boys and young men, including rising loneliness, declining workforce participation, and increasing mental health challenges. The convening focused on solutions that create connection, opportunity, and purpose for young men across our state.
Our Executive Director, Virgil Moorehead Jr., attended the event alongside Yurok Tribal Council Member Wes Crawford. Virgil spoke on a panel about the importance of uplifting Native boys and men through culturally-based programming and creating “mattering” experiences — opportunities for Native boys and men to feel seen, valued, connected, and purposeful within their communities.
We are grateful to have Native leadership at these tables, ensuring that our communities, our youth, and our ways of supporting wellness and belonging are part of the conversation and part of the solutions.
CRDP Native Hub Gathering
Two Feathers was honored to help host the CRDP Native Hub gathering, bringing together Native-serving organizations, partners, and community members to share and learn from one another’s Community-Defined Evidence Practices (CDEPs). The gathering created space to highlight the impactful work happening across communities, with each site sharing about their CRDP projects and approaches to supporting Native youth and families. Two Feathers was proud to share about our ACORN Youth Wellness Program and the ways culturally grounded practices continue to support healing, connection, and belonging for our youth.
A highlight of the weekend was the leadership and presence of our Youth Leadership Development (YLD) team. Our youth showed up in a powerful way—sharing their voices, stories, and perspectives while also stepping into leadership roles throughout the event. A special thank you to Yvonne and Katie for helping lead our presentation and bringing regalia on day two. Their knowledge, presence, and support were truly the backbone of that moment.
We are also deeply grateful to our Chekws team, who, despite the demands of their work, showed up with care and commitment to support the gathering. Their presence helped create a welcoming and grounded space for all involved.
Behind the scenes, Ernie and interns Nikwe and Rey played a huge role in making the weekend run smoothly, stepping in wherever needed and ensuring a positive experience for participants. We also want to recognize Kimberly for helping coordinate transportation, which helped remove barriers and made it possible for many to fully participate.
We extend our appreciation to Stephanie Weldon for joining us, sharing space, and contributing to the learning throughout the gathering. We are also incredibly thankful to Cutcha Risling-Baldy and Lois Risling for their insightful and grounding closing keynote, which brought the gathering to a meaningful close.
This gathering was a reflection of what is possible when community comes together with intention, care, and shared purpose. We are grateful to everyone who contributed their time, energy, and heart to make this weekend so impactful.
McKinleyville Youth Wrestling
March was an exciting and milestone-filled month for McKinleyville Youth Wrestling! One of the biggest highlights was hosting our first local tournament of the season at McKinleyville High School. The event was a tremendous success, bringing together an impressive 316 wrestlers from across the region.
Our athletes had the opportunity to compete on their home mats, showcasing their hard work, determination, and growth throughout the season. Beyond the competition, the tournament reflected the strength of our wrestling community, with incredible support from families, coaches, and volunteers who made the event possible.
We also took 8 of our wrestlers to Fresno to compete at the State Wrestling Tournament. The team represented McKinleyville with pride, and we’re especially proud to share that 3 of our athletes battled their way to impressive 2nd-place finishes!
We are proud of all our wrestlers for their effort and sportsmanship, and we look forward to building on this momentum as we continue through the season!
Staff Anniversary Celebration
This month we’re celebrating two incredible Two Feathers team members whose dedication, care, and commitment help strengthen our programs and support the youth, families, and communities we serve.
✨ Roman – Intensive and Crisis Case Coordinator | 2 years of service
✨ Stephen – Outreach Specialist | 2 years of service
Thank you both for the important work you do every day. Your passion, leadership, and commitment make a meaningful impact across our organization and in the lives of those we serve. We are grateful to celebrate these milestones with you and proud to have you as part of the Two Feathers team!
