its downtown facility. Recently SDAIHC launched
a capital campaign to double its capacity and
empower the organization to offer services to a
larger population of those in need.
As diabetes has become a major health challenge
to many Americans, especially ethnic groups such
as American Indians/Alaskan Natives, SDAIHC
has focused its attention on the prevention and
treatment of this rapidly expanding problem.
SDAIHC recently signed an agreement with Scripps
Whittier Diabetes Institute to enhance and expand
diabetes services to their patients and welcomes all
who are seeking a comprehensive approach to the
treatment of this chronic health problem.
The Youth Center is another of SDAIHC’s important
community programs. The Youth Center’s mission
is to guide Native American and all community
youth towards their full potential as healthy, well-
rounded young adults through the use of cultural,
traditional and non-Western modes of healing and
education. The program welcomes young people
ages 10 to 24 of any background and offers a
wide-range of programs. SDAIHC encourages
youth to stay physically and mentally active while
exploring their creativity in a positive, inclusive
and safe environment where youth can develop
a healthy self-identity. The San Diego American
Indian Youth Center is a project funded by the
County of San Diego.
To further engage the community, SDAIHC offers
Wellbriety Gatherings and weekly support groups
which are open to all adults seeking healing and
recovery. The programming is based on the White
Bison Wellbriety Movement and incorporates
the teachings of the medicine wheel as well as
traditional 12 Step programs with Native sensitives.
Activities include beading projects, talking circles,
drumming and discussion.
Joe Bulfer, CEO of SDAIHC, shared with Giving
Back Magazine, “Our commitment to the
community we service always centers on the
wellness of mind, body and spirit. We are honored
to serve and excited by the opportunity to expand
our capacity to deliver high quality healthcare to all
people in the San Diego community.”
For additional information of the San Diego
American Indian Health Center, please visit
www.sdaihc.org.
Joe Bulfer at the ribbon cutting
of the new San Diego American
Indian Health Center facility
JULY 2018 | GBSAN.COM 33