Rachel Ramirez - Director of Youth Services
Director of Youth Services – I have worked at Fresno American Indian Health Project (FAIHP) since 2013, focusing on drug prevention with youth ages 5 through 20 and identifying resources for youth and families. As the Director of Youth Services/Methamphetamine and Suicide Prevention Initiative Coordinator, I am responsible for overseeing the implementation of grant objectives that focus on youth served by FAIHP at the Fresno American Indian Clubhouse (FAIC). FAIC is an afterschool program for American Indian/Alaska Native Youth ages 5-24. I have received the Native Helping Our People Endure (Native HOPE) Training of Facilitators, Gathering of Native Americans (GONA) Training of Facilitators, Youth Mental Health First Aid Training, and Questions, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Training of Trainers to implement into program activities. I am also the GONA Camp Coordinator, which has 60-70 teen youth attendees, annually, with 20-25 community volunteers for the entire week. My education in social work and drug and alcohol studies has allowed me to focus on the health disparities that face the American Indian community as well as how alcohol and other drugs impact the population, as well as how to educate the community in a culturally-sensitive manner.
I am a member of the Wukchumni-Yokuts tribe, which is local to the San Joaquin Central Valley in California. Growing up the American Indian community has provided me the understanding and insight that is specific to the population that is being served.
Anthony Utterback - Clubhouse Program Manager
Clubhouse Program Manager – Anthony is a Tribal Citizen of the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians and the Instructional Aide II/Education Coordinator at the Fresno American Indian Health Project. As a local Fresnan, Anthony went to Edison High School in West Fresno and attended college at Fresno State where he graduated with a degree in Sociology and American Indian Studies. His interests include studying and learning the Mono language, Tribal-Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Native science and Cultural Burning. He also enjoys reading, hiking, painting, volunteering in the community, singing traditional songs and going to ceremonies. In addition to working with the youth at FAIHP, he is also a community organizer with Central Valley Movement Building where he works with parents, youth and organizations to advocate for education justice and healthier school climates for Native American students and their families throughout the Central Valley. Anthony is passionate about education and is excited for the opportunity to give back to the people by supporting the youth and serving the Native community.
Dori Andrews - Youth Coordinator
Youth Coordinator – I have worked with children when I worked at Cold Springs Head start. I was a bus monitor and an aid in the classroom. I also worked with Developmentally Disabled children in a group home setting for a year. I obtained the position of Community Health Representative for my tribal community and enjoyed working with my elders. Working in the Nursing field has also allowed me to express my compassionate nature. Working in Clubhouse has been an honor to help nurture and guide our next generation of leaders. I am proud to be a part of Fresno American Indian Health Project and all the amazing things they offer our Native community.
Storm Heredia - Peer Mentor
Peer Mentor – My full name is Storm Woneya Heredia. I am of Ojibwe descent, and I am a proud indigenous man. I have trained in karate and kickboxing since I was an adolescent. I now have aspirations to turn pro and become a champion. I am also an instructor, having taught for 6 years now. I am excited to be working closer with my native community. I look forward to engaging with and helping build our next generation of youth. I hope to inspire the future while honoring our past traditions. I am grateful to be part of the FAIHP family!
Ariana Murillo - Peer Mentor
Peer Mentor – Hello my name is Ariana Murillo I am Tongva, and Kumeyaay I was a previous clubhouse youth from the age of 4 to the age of 16, I was a participant at GONA as a peacekeeper for 6 years I also worked as a teen worker for UAII at Robert Sundance summer camp. I am a high school graduate and a full-time student at Fresno City College. I work at Fresno American Indian Health Project as a peer mentor. I grew up in this organization and it has taught me a lot about what was needed in the native community and I wanted to be there for the youth today like the staff was for me when I was their age to teach them more about our culture, I grew up wanting to help my people and I’m doing just that by working here.
Stoney Dodson - Instructional Aide II
Instructional Aide II –
Yá’át’ééh! My name is Stoney Cloud Dodson, I am from the Dine nation, & I am pleased to be filling the role of Instructional Aide II here at Fresno American Indian Health Project. As a member of this community, there is great pride & pleasure that comes with the opportunity to serve those who utilize our services. I’m blessed to have been raised around the drum and dance arena my entire life & plan to continue that commitment of being a singer in our community. It brings good feelings to my spirit when I am able to sit at the drum with my brothers or dance in the arena with family & friends I’ve grown up with. Working here at FAIHP brings similar good feelings to my heart thus only proving I am exactly where I am meant to be.
Away from the project, I spend much of my time in a creative space. Whether that is playing saxophone for local bands or practicing photography, I find great pleasure in the arts.
I am eager to begin connecting with staff, as well as the community we serve each & every day. Always open to connection via email, phone, or simply stopping by my work area.
April Blair - Instructional Aide I
Instructional Aide I
My name April Blair and I am overwhelmed
with joy to join the FAIHP Youth Services Team as the Instructional Aide I. Growing up in the foster care system and being adopted by
white parents, I struggled with severe
imposter syndrome when looking for answers
about my identity. None of the people around
me looked like me or could understand where
I was coming from. Being given this
opportunity, I plan to support every effort
made to bridging the gap so that our youth
understand wholeheartedly their community
has their back. I look forward to giving my
complete self to this role, embracing the many
gifts within working with youth, and building
foundations that will grow stronger with time. I
have worked with the education systems here
in the Central Valley, taught Outdoor
Education/Environmental Justice in San Francisco, CA, and have traveled across the
country working with Incarcerated Youth, At Risk Youth, and Foster Youth. When I’m not
working, I am usually searching for a good laugh with my loved ones or a new
adventure. My hobbies range from kayaking and backpacking to singing and acting.
You can typically find me exploring with my 4 year old daughter, Xochiquetzal. She is my inspiration for connecting with our community in a deeper and more meaningful way and drives me to live a more decolonized lifestyle. I’m ecstatic to be a part of such an
important network of people.
Julianna Rios - Lead Navigator
Lead Navigator
My name is Julianna Rios, and I’m thrilled to
introduce myself as the newest member to
FAIHP’s Youth Services Department as the
Lead Navigator for the Red Warrior Project. I’m
joining with great enthusiasm and eagerness
to contribute to our collective success. A
recent graduate from the University of
California, Davis, I come to FAIHP with a
background in education and public health,
and I am excited to work alongside the staff
and the community to improve health
outcomes Outside of work, you might find me
at concerts, going to the gym, or watching my
all time favorite show, Grey’s Anatomy. Also,
I’m always up for a good conversation about
music, and I am open to band
recommendations.
Jeremy Bill - Health Promotion Manager
Health Promotion Manager – Munahoo,
My name is Jeremy Bill, I am Dunlap Mono & Tachi-Yokut, I am from Dunlap California right below Kings Canyon National Park. I am a proud father, brother, uncle, cousin, son and enjoy being around my family and friends. I was born in Fresno and raised in Dunlap, I attended Reedley High School upon graduation I attended the University of California Davis, where I majored in English and Native American studies with a Minor in Communications and Education. Upon graduating from Davis I jumped right into the workforce working with Scott’s Valley Tribal TANF and North Fork Tribal TANF. I have worked in the Social Services area for about 10 years and have found the work to be rewarding and fulfilling. I am a lifelong learner in all things and love to be helpful and of service to all who may need it. I will leave you with a quote that has helped guide me along the way “leadership is not about the rise to power, but the submission to duty”.
Serena Cuevas - Prevention Coordinator
Prevention Coordinator – Born and raised in the Central Valley, Serena acts as Lead Prevention Navigator for the Red Warrior Project within Youth Services. She previously worked in Clubhouse as Instructional Aide II, where she worked with youth as a tutor to foster effective learning strategies and improve literacy skills. She received a Bachelor’s Degree of Social Work in 2019 from California State University, Fresno, where she was first introduced to Fresno American Indian Health Project as an undergraduate interning case manager in the Behavioral Health department. Previously, Serena gained experience working with kiddos on the Autism spectrum as a Registered Behavior Therapist (RBT). She also previously worked for Fresno County Library, where she helped to facilitate a culturally-sensitive book club for Clubhouse teens. Serena graduated with a Master’s Degree of Social Work (MSW) in 2021 from Simmons University in Boston, MA. A lifelong lover of learning and teaching, she is excited to use this opportunity to promote health education, culture as prevention, and holistic wellness practices among AI/AN youth.