Karen Waukazoo

Karen Waukazoo (Lakota) is the Interim Project Director of the CRDP Project at Friendship House. Influenced by her parents’ dedication to the Native American Health Center and the Friendship House Association of American Indians programs and the local community, she chose to follow in their footsteps by serving the Bay Area’s American Indian population in her own way. Knowledgeable of both sides of treatment and recovery, Karen has worked in many capacities at the Friendship House program – from a youth volunteer, to the Director of the Oakland Lodge Program, Intake Coordinator to her current position. In her over 15 years of service, she has made it her goal to advocate for quality treatment services for American Indian men, women and children affected by substance abuse and alcoholism. Respect and compassion, as well as knowledge all remaining at the forefront.

In addition to serving on the American Indian Cultural District Advisory Board, she is working on Substance Abuse Counseling Certification. Her plan is to continue to serve her people in recovery and she doesn’t take this responsibility lightly. She finds her chosen line of service and connection to the community extremely important.

“I am grateful to be a part of the American Indian Cultural District Advisory Board and continue to serve the San Francisco American Indian community.”