A New Year of Opportunities!

The beginning of a new year is an exciting time for everyone. A chance to start over and/or try something new; for NAMI State and Affiliate Organizations it’s a time to decide how to best use the funds from their NAMIWalks. Here are some options of how NAMIs across the country will use their funds in 2014:

Launch new programs and expand their existing services, such as:

·         Offereing Education Programs - NAMI Family-to-Family, NAMI Peer-to-Peer, NAMI Basics, NAMI In Our Own Voice, NAMI Provider Training, NAMI Parents and Teachers as Allies, and NAMI Hearts & Minds;

·         Providing Support Services - NAMI Connection, NAMI Family Support Group, and NAMI on Campus;

·         Launching a new program like NAMI Kern County’s Front Line support group for veterans and their loved ones.  

Introduce NEW ACTIVITIES, such as:

·         Developing a housing program for persons living with mental illness;

·         Developing drop-in centers and club houses;

·         Supporting employment programs for persons with mental illness;

·         Funding Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Trainings;

·         Providing clothing, personal hygiene items, and transportation services to individuals living with mental illness who have limited incomes;

·         Supporting socialization activities and support groups for persons living with mental illness.

Secure NEW TOOLS:

·         Expanding the NAMI affiliate mental health libraries;

·         Designing and printing outreach materials;

·         Covering the cost of materials for teachers and/or school counselors that share current and useful information about mental illness.

These are just a few of the ways funding from the 2014 NAMIWalks will help improve the lives of individuals living with mental illness and their loved ones. NAMI staff, Board Members, volunteers, and supporters are always implementing new and unique programs and services across the country. It's exciting to see what's in store for 2014!