OCTOBER 2018 Thirteen NAMI Washtenaw volunteers and supporters gathered on Belle Isle on a chilly September 22 to participate in the 2018 NAMIWalks fundraiser. Across from the James Scott Memorial Fountain, the Washtenaw Walkers fell in step with volunteers from NAMI affiliates across southeastern Michigan to make their way around the park and raise moneyContinue reading Walkers and Bicyclists Turn Out to Raise Funds
From Jail to Prison and Back
OCTOBER 2018 BY PAT ROOT Late last winter I received an email from NAMI Iowa. Was I interested in helping them put on a Peer-to-Peer training in a women’s prison? They needed a second “state trainer” with incarceration experience. (State trainers teach people how to facilitate the Peer-to-Peer class.) Boy, was I interested! Facilitating Peer-to-PeerContinue reading From Jail to Prison and Back
Leadership Exchange Was Invaluable, E.D. Says
OCTOBER 2018 BY LOIS MAHARG Judy Gardner returned from NAMI National’s Executive Director Leadership Exchange pleased with what she learned. “It was awesome,” said Gardner, Executive Director of NAMI Washtenaw. “It was invaluable, just what I wanted.” The exchange, which took place in Arlington, VA, was an opportunity for NAMI executive directors at the affiliateContinue reading Leadership Exchange Was Invaluable, E.D. Says
Kiwanis Club Awards Grant to NAMI Washtenaw
OCTOBER 2018 NAMI Washtenaw received a $2,500 grant on Aug. 20 from the Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor at an open house celebrating the club’s new facility at 100 N. Staebler Road. NAMI was one of several organizations to receive funds. “The substantial gifting to the community is partly the result of the KCAA sellingContinue reading Kiwanis Club Awards Grant to NAMI Washtenaw
Board Takes a Stand on Gerrymandering
OCTOBER 2018 BY LOIS MAHARG NAMI Washtenaw’s Board of Directors voted in September to endorse Voters Not Politicians and Proposal 2 after hearing from a VNP volunteer, who said the issue of mental health is more likely to receive attention and support if we end gerrymandering in Michigan. Proposal 2 calls for an amendment toContinue reading Board Takes a Stand on Gerrymandering
100+ Women Show They Care About Mental Health
July 2018 By Lois Maharg Five minutes is not much time to convince others that a nonprofit like NAMI deserves their generous support. But Cheryl Girvan of Saline recently stepped up to the challenge. NAMI Washtenaw now has $12,800 more in the bank as a result. “I spoke from personal experience,” said Girvan, whose 5-minuteContinue reading 100+ Women Show They Care About Mental Health
Lifesavers Gala Sets Benchmark
July 2018 NAMI Washtenaw’s first-ever large-scale fundraising affair was a resounding success, netting our local affiliate almost $12,000. Fifty NAMI supporters attended the May 6 event held at the Portage Yacht Club, mingling, sipping wine, and grazing on an array of appetizers. A short program later in the evening featured talk about NAMI Washtenaw’s work,Continue reading Lifesavers Gala Sets Benchmark
Changes in Online Messaging to Help End Stigma
July 2018 By Maria Alfonso Mental health stigma creates an environment where ensuring strong, positive messaging becomes just as important to breaking down barriers as in-person educational experiences. For NAMI Washtenaw, this means being conscious of how our advocacy doesn’t just stop at our program outreach but extends throughout all of our online communication. It’sContinue reading Changes in Online Messaging to Help End Stigma
Six New Volunteers Trained as Peer-to-Peer Mentors
April 2018 By Darlene Wetzel The weekend of April 13–15, NAMI Washtenaw County had the opportunity to train six new mentors for Peer-to-Peer, our class for people who live with mental illness. We’ve committed to expanding the number of our classes in the next fiscal year, and to do that we definitely needed more mentorsContinue reading Six New Volunteers Trained as Peer-to-Peer Mentors
Book Aims to Raise Awareness and Challenge Stigma
April 2018 By Adam Alkhouly NAMI Washtenaw’s new book – “Coming Into Ourselves: An Anthology” – is a compilation of stories written by people who have suffered a major mental health condition, and some are suicide survivors. In a society and world where mental illness retains its stigmatized status, NAMI has taken responsibility to shareContinue reading Book Aims to Raise Awareness and Challenge Stigma