Native American Youth and Adult Partnership Program (NAYA)
PO Box 2077, Ukiah, CA 95482
About
The Native American Youth and Adult Partnership Program (NAYA) matches Native American youth with adult mentors who spend time together in activities such as basketball, basket weaving, and group outings. The program includes both structured sessions and additional time for mentors and youth to meet one-on-one.
• Ages: 10–18 years old
• Schedule: Twelve weekly sessions over 12 weeks, plus 2 to 4 hours monthly with the mentee for six months, for a total commitment of approximately 70 hours over the course of 9 months.
Redwood Community Services, which received its non-profit designation in 1995, runs the Native American Youth and Adult Partnership Program (NAYA) in collaboration with the Pinoleville Rancheria. The program creates partnerships between Native youth in grades five through twelve and volunteer adult mentors who are over 21 years of age. Mentors are not required to be Native American, receive training on working with Native youth, must agree to a free Livescan background check, and those planning to transport youth must have a valid license and provide personal and professional references. The program focus includes goal setting, building positive one-on-one relationships, expanding the youth’s circle of supportive adults, life skills development, cultural teachings, and community-based activities, and it is funded by a grant as part of the Pomo Youth College and Careers and Success Project.
Redwood Community Services serves Mendocino, Lake, and Humboldt Counties and operates programs such as a Crisis Line, supportive housing, a 60-bed shelter for the unhoused, youth empowerment services, and job training. Outreach events for this program have included group activities with pizza, basketball, prizes, and social time for youth and adults, and the program is currently limited to participants in the Ukiah Valley area. Testimonials from those involved describe building lasting relationships in the Indian community, bringing the whole community together at Laytonville tournaments, and focusing on both basketball and basket weaving. One mentor reports continuing in that role for 20 years, another describes wanting to become a bridge in the community’s support systems, and program leaders describe a personal goal of success for Native youth and creating educational paths for Native kids.
Bonnie Lockhart is the Native American Youth and Adult Program Co-Coordinator at Redwood Community Services and received her master’s degree in Social Work from UC Berkeley. Shaheen Hoaglen got a degree in Health Care Administration from the University of Phoenix and continued pursuing her education in business management. The organization’s mission statement is “Empowering communities for long term success.”
Last updated August 12, 2026.
• Ages: 10–18 years old
• Schedule: Twelve weekly sessions over 12 weeks, plus 2 to 4 hours monthly with the mentee for six months, for a total commitment of approximately 70 hours over the course of 9 months.
Redwood Community Services, which received its non-profit designation in 1995, runs the Native American Youth and Adult Partnership Program (NAYA) in collaboration with the Pinoleville Rancheria. The program creates partnerships between Native youth in grades five through twelve and volunteer adult mentors who are over 21 years of age. Mentors are not required to be Native American, receive training on working with Native youth, must agree to a free Livescan background check, and those planning to transport youth must have a valid license and provide personal and professional references. The program focus includes goal setting, building positive one-on-one relationships, expanding the youth’s circle of supportive adults, life skills development, cultural teachings, and community-based activities, and it is funded by a grant as part of the Pomo Youth College and Careers and Success Project.
Redwood Community Services serves Mendocino, Lake, and Humboldt Counties and operates programs such as a Crisis Line, supportive housing, a 60-bed shelter for the unhoused, youth empowerment services, and job training. Outreach events for this program have included group activities with pizza, basketball, prizes, and social time for youth and adults, and the program is currently limited to participants in the Ukiah Valley area. Testimonials from those involved describe building lasting relationships in the Indian community, bringing the whole community together at Laytonville tournaments, and focusing on both basketball and basket weaving. One mentor reports continuing in that role for 20 years, another describes wanting to become a bridge in the community’s support systems, and program leaders describe a personal goal of success for Native youth and creating educational paths for Native kids.
Bonnie Lockhart is the Native American Youth and Adult Program Co-Coordinator at Redwood Community Services and received her master’s degree in Social Work from UC Berkeley. Shaheen Hoaglen got a degree in Health Care Administration from the University of Phoenix and continued pursuing her education in business management. The organization’s mission statement is “Empowering communities for long term success.”
Last updated August 12, 2026.
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