Stories — TribesForCalifornia

$4 Million Contribution Expands Goodwill Southern California’s Career and Workforce Programs

During the crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation stepped forward with a $4 million grant to Goodwill Southern California to strengthen workforce and career development across the Inland Empire.

COVID-19 dramatically affected the workplace. Yuhaaviatam’s contribution helped address the widespread employment disruptions that left thousands seeking new job opportunities and trying to reimagine their futures. The tribe’s support enabled Goodwill to expand critical employment services, provide training and career guidance and strengthen regional nonprofit capacity to better serve job seekers.

Over the 36-month period, this partnership changed lives and achieved remarkable results:

18,295 clients served - a 122% increase
3,234 individuals received job training - a 216% increase
3,098 earned job training certificates - a 148% increase
149 clients entered higher education - a 149% increase
534 gained work experience - a 107% increase
4,335 clients secured employment - a 108% increase
83 new training programs developed - a 692% increase
57 new apprenticeships created - a 285% increase
600 businesses engaged - a 1,200% increase
19 partner organization development trainings held - a 158% increase
550 nonprofit staff trained - an 85% increase
104 best practice resources developed or updated - an 867% increase
8 stakeholder and community leader forums hosted - a 200% increase

Through this transformative partnership, the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation and Goodwill Southern California created lasting pathways to employment, education, and economic mobility-empowering individuals, families, and communities across the Inland Empire to thrive.

$3 Million Gift Advances Housing, Healing and Hope in San Bernardino

The Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation has made a transformative $3 million contribution to the County of San Bernardino Community Development and Housing Department in support of Pacific Village Phase II, a comprehensive wellness campus dedicated to addressing homelessness through housing, health and holistic care.

This investment will help bring Pacific Village one step closer to completion, providing 130 total housing units, including eight interim housing units, 58 permanent supportive housing units, 32 recuperative care units, and 32 substance abuse disorder treatment units. Designed as an integrated campus, it will offer both shelter and essential services to help individuals rebuild stability, well-being, and connection.

The San Bernardino community continues to face a critical shortage of affordable housing. This has led to widespread social and economic challenges and, in many cases, chronic homelessness. Even more difficult is the absence of coordinated support services within existing housing programs. Pacific Village answers this need by creating an environment that brings housing, healthcare, and healing together in one place.

With the tribe’s $3 million in support, Phase II of this three-phase project will move forward, expanding the campus to include:

A community center with multi-purpose rooms, outdoor gathering spaces, and an amphitheater for cultural events and ceremonies
Wellness navigation and integration programs that connect residents to mental health, medical, and social resources
A therapeutic outdoor environment featuring healing landscapes and horticultural therapy to foster emotional and physical wellness

Pacific Village represents a new model for community care. One that restores dignity, builds connection, and empowers individuals on their journey toward stability. Through collaboration and cultural understanding, the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation and the County of San Bernardino are helping redefine what it means to truly support every member of the community.

Strengthening Health and Infrastructure Through a $2.4 Million Investment

In 2024, the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation awarded a $2.4 million grant to the Bad River Tribe in Ashland, Wisconsin, supporting a partnership with the Bad River Tribal Council and Xcel Energy to construct a 46,000-foot natural gas line upgrade. This critically-needed infrastructure now ensures reliable energy for the new Bad River Health and Wellness Center, a 68,000-square-foot facility serving more than 2,400 tribal members.

The Center expands access to integrated care and cultural wellness with services including:

Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
Chiropractic and traditional healing
Imaging (X-ray, ultrasound, mammography, and mobile MRI)
Optometry and dental care
Nutritional counseling and diabetes prevention
Expanded behavioral health support
Recreational and wellness facilities

Beyond improving healthcare access, this investment enables future community development, including plans for a new Boys & Girls Club facility and additional service space.

Without our fellow Native family reaching out to help us, this entire operation simply would not have been possible

Robert Blanchard, Chairman of the Bad River Tribal Council

Inspiring the Future Through a $2.2 Million Commitment

For more than 15 years, the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation has been a steadfast supporter of San Bernardino Valley College’s Valley Bound Commitment program, which provides first-generation students with the financial and academic support needed to thrive in their first year of college.

In 2023, Yuhaaviatam deepened its investment in student success with a $2.2 million grant to the San Bernardino Valley College Foundation. This funding advances the Foundation’s long-term mission to ensure historically underserved students can graduate and launch meaningful careers.

The grant supports:

Expansion of the Valley Bound Commitment program
Financial aid and academic resources for first-year students
Career preparation and mentorship initiatives
Development efforts to strengthen long-term donor relationships and program sustainability

This is a transformational investment that will enable us to implement the Foundation’s Development Plan and cultivate relationships with donors at a much higher level.

Michael Layne, Director of the SBVC Foundation

Shaping the Future of Tribal Justice Through a $2.2 Million Gift to UCLA Law

Building on a decades-long partnership rooted in advancing tribal sovereignty and education, the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation has provided a $2.2 million grant to the UCLA Law Foundation to strengthen and expand the Tribal Legal Development Clinic. This most recent contribution follows previous gifts of $4 million in 2004 and $1.3 million in 2019, reaffirming the Yuhaaviatam’s commitment to cultivating the next generation of legal advocates for Native communities.

Established in 1996, the Tribal Legal Development Clinic immerses students in the complexities of tribal governance and federal Indian law, providing hands-on experience that directly benefits tribal nations through:

Policy research and legislative drafting
Sovereignty-affirming, non-litigation legal projects
Support for Tribal governments and organizations
Education in cross-cultural and intergovernmental representation

At every stage, we’ve partnered with those who share our commitment to tribal self-determination, and few have been more vital than the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation. Their generosity sustains opportunities for our students to learn from, and contribute to, Native communities in meaningful ways.

Michael Waterstone, Dean of UCLA Law

Supporting the Next Generation of Firefighters with a $1.8 Million Investment

The Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation has been a steadfast partner of Crafton Hills College and its Public Safety and Services program since 2008. In 2022, Yuhaaviatam deepened its commitment with a $1.8 million gift. As the largest donation in the College Foundation’s history, the much-needed funds will strengthen the Fire Academy and support future cadets.

This five-year investment provides direct assistance to students enrolled in the Fire Academy, covering out-of-pocket expenses such as:

Uniforms and equipment
Live scan and background checks
Licensing and certifications

Half of the gift also established a permanent endowment to ensure future cadets have continued access to financial support, removing barriers that could prevent them from completing their training and joining California’s fire service workforce.

Crafton Hills College remains dedicated to recruiting, training, and graduating diverse, highly skilled cadets who are prepared to protect the state’s residents and lands for generations to come.

Creating the First Dodgers Dreamfield in San Bernardino with a Gift of Nearly $1.3 Million

In 2023, the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation pledged nearly $1.3 million to the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation to transform three fields at Blair Park in San Bernardino into Dodgers Dreamfields, safe, high-quality spaces for youth to play, learn, and grow. This contribution marks the largest single gift in the Dreamfield program’s history.

The project revitalized each field with upgrades including:

New playing surfaces and turf
Enclosed fields and improved dugouts
LED scoreboards modeled after Dodger Stadium

Together, these enhancements support more than 9,000 young athletes, ages 5–18, providing a welcoming place for Little League, softball, and high school players to build teamwork, confidence, and community pride.

Through shared values of education, wellness, and opportunity, the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation and the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation are empowering youth in underserved communities, helping them lead healthier lives and build a stronger future for San Bernardino.

Honoring GivingTuesday with $1 Million in Grants for Land and Wildfire Recovery

On GivingTuesday 2024, the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation joined the global celebration of generosity with a $1 million contribution dedicated to strengthening and protecting communities impacted by recent wildfires.

Awarded on the year’s largest day of charitable giving, these grants support organizations leading efforts to restore land, preserve natural habitats, and rebuild community resilience.

2024 Grant recipients included:

The Wildlands Conservancy
Mojave Desert Land Trust
San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust
Center for Biological Diversity
Victor Valley College Foundation
Arrowbear Lake Fire Department
Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians
Apple Valley Fire Protection District

GivingTuesday is a day that calls upon us to reflect on the power of collective generosity. We are honored to support efforts to rehabilitate lands affected by the recent wildfires and invest in the long-term health of our communities and ecosystems.

Lynn Valbuena, Chairwoman of the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation

$500,000 To Support Los Angeles American Red Cross Fire Disaster Relief

In January 2025, devastating wildfires swept through Los Angeles County, forcing the evacuation of more than 200,000 residents and leaving many families grieving the loss of their homes and livelihoods.

In response, the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation provided a $500,000 grant to the American Red Cross to aid in immediate relief and recovery efforts. The organization quickly mobilized its volunteer-led teams to deliver critical support, including:

Emergency shelter and meals
Mental health and spiritual care services
Casework and financial assistance for displaced families

This contribution reflects the tribe’s ongoing commitment to helping communities in times of crisis and ensuring that those affected by natural disasters receive the care, comfort, and resources they need to rebuild.

In moments of crisis, we are reminded that true strength is found in compassion and community. Our hearts are with all those affected by the wildfires, and we are honored to stand alongside the American Red Cross in supporting recovery efforts.

Lynn Valbuena, Chairwoman of the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation

$200,000 Grant Strengthens Family Support Services at Inland Empire Ronald McDonald House

With a $200,000 grant, the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation helped the Inland Empire Ronald McDonald House® (IERMH) provide more than 1,000 nights of stays for families of critically ill children receiving medical care at nearby hospitals. This support offered a home away from home for approximately 2,500 family members, ensuring they could remain close to their loved ones during treatment.

In addition to providing housing assistance, the donation also supported capital improvements at the facility and expanded Family Support Services (FSS). These programs are designed to help families manage emotional, educational, and financial challenges during medical crises.

During the first half of the grant period alone, IERMH has:

Accommodated 588 family stay requests
Served 1,499 guests (including adults, children, and outpatients)
Delivered 905 hours of supportive services, such as therapeutic activities, telehealth sessions, educational workshops, and family-centered events

We are deeply grateful for the long-term support, partnership, and friendship with the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation. Their generous contribution will allow us to continue our mission of providing temporary residence for families of seriously ill or injured children.

Karen Hooper, Executive Director, Inland Empire Ronald McDonald House

$100,000 Gift Improves Safety and Comfort for Pediatric Patients at CHOC

The Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation gave a $100,000 grant to the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) Foundation to support renovations at the CHOC Corona Specialty Clinic. The project transformed the clinic into a brighter, safer, and more welcoming environment for the more than 5,000 pediatric patients it serves each year, a majority who are Riverside and San Bernardino residents.

The grant funded important improvements including:

New vinyl flooring and easily sanitized furniture
An interactive wall mural, toys, and books to foster play and comfort
Environmental upgrades to reduce health risks and improve safety

Together, these enhancements have helped create a child-centered space that nurtures both physical and emotional well-being. Families report feeling more at ease during visits, children are more cooperative in their care, and providers note stronger engagement and trust.

By investing in the physical and emotional well-being of children, Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation and CHOC have reimagined what compassionate pediatric care can look and feel like, setting a model for healing-centered design across future clinical environments.

$100,000 Grant Helps St. Mary Medical Center Launch the High Desert Sexual Assault Resiliency Program

The Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation approved a $100,000 grant to St. Mary Medical Center to establish the High Desert Sexual Assault Resiliency Program, a vital new resource for survivors of sexual assault in the region.

This program provides compassionate, trauma-informed care to residents of the High Desert, offering services such as forensic examinations, victim advocacy, and mental health support—eventually available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Prior to this program, victims often faced lengthy travel “down the hill” to Fontana for care, prolonging trauma and delaying recovery.

Funding from the tribe supported the salary of a Certified Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, specialized staff training and certification, and community outreach and awareness campaigns. The new center now serves as the first sexual assault forensic examination site in the High Desert, enabling survivors to receive help within their own community.

Since launching, the program has:

Helped assist 137 victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking
Completed nine specialized acute forensic examinations which treats immediate injuries and collects evidence
Supported 6–8 victims per month at the close of the grant period
Activated a multidisciplinary team (MDT) to coordinate survivor services, outreach, and advocacy across agencies

The County of San Bernardino has formalized its partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), directing local law enforcement to access the center for forensic services—an important step toward more timely and coordinated support for survivors.

Together, the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation and St. Mary Medical Center are ensuring survivors have access to safety, dignity, and healing in their own community.

Learn More → https://www.vvdailypress.com/story/news/2025/04/07/san-manuel-gives-grant-to-st-marys-new-sexual-assault-treatment-center-apple-valley/82788469007/