Mission
NAMI Washtenaw County
is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, and a local affiliate
of the national NAMI and NAMI Michigan. Our mission is to:
- Support those who are suffering from mental illnesses,
their families and friends
- Educate people in the community about these illnesses
and available resources
- Advocate for optimal treatment, rehabilitation services,
desirable living situations and meaningful work for all
individuals coping with mental illness
- Eradicate the stigma surrounding these disorders by encouraging
openness and by stressing that these illnesses are biological
in nature
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History
NAMI Washtenaw County
began humbly with a handful of concerned parents of mentally
ill children in January of 1984. The organization grew steadily
to become the second largest affiliate in the state, and in
1998, won first prize in the NAMI membership contest for affiliates
in the 100 to 500 member category. NAMI of Washtenaw County
now has over 200 members and continues to thrive and serve
the community with two paid staff members..
Outlook:
The future is looking bright for our organization
because of talented and loyal member volunteers who continue
to help us offer excellent opportunities to the community.
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Staff
|
Barb Higman, Office
Manager
Call
her to ask any questions about NAMI or related issues.
She manages the office and communicates with the public. |
|
Kurt Scholler,Past FEST
coordinator
He's
been a NAMI member since 1997 and has been a FEST facilitator
since 1999. He started coordinating the program
in Fall of 2006. |
|
Penney Acosta, Current Family Education coordinator
Penney has been a member for about 7 years and had helped facilitate FEST in the past. She replaced Kurt in 2009 as education coordinator. |
|
Carol Rees, NAMI's steady
Force
Carol
has been one of the key steady forces of NAMI in Washtenaw
county since its inception in 1984. She has been
a major resource to the mental health community for
many years. |
More Pictures to Come
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Board
Who
is on our Board?
- Patricia Doyle, president
- Chuck Hughes, vice-president
- Bob Nassauer, secretary
- Thom Gentz, information officer
- Jack Love, executive director
- Mike Taylor, treasurer
- At large board members: Aaron Cook, Mark Creekmore, Lisa Gentz, Clayton Beau Nelson, Lena Ricks, Catherine Starr, Julie Waldon;
- Newsletter
Editor: Nancy Willett
- Bill Feiser, NAMI Michigan representative
Part of our affiliate’s
success is due to its active and dynamic Board of Directors,
which consists of elected officers, seven board members and
a newsletter editor. Each member is committed to the organization’s
mission. Being part of the Board affords many opportunities
to change conditions for people living with mental illness.
As the outgoing Board president, Carolyn Moehrle, puts it,
“By
nature, the Board is a supportive group for its members,
who have often had similar experiences and can offer understanding
and sometimes helpful ideas. They are…always thinking
of new ways to fulfill the mission.”
|
Members of our board, past
and present.
Sitting, left
to right: Reimar Scholler, Lucy Miller, Deborah Gibson
Standing, left to right: Bill
Lane, Carol Rees, Carolyn Moehrle, Mei-Fu Sheng |
When does it meet?
Where?
Meeting
are 2nd Wednesdays of each month (except July and August)
6:30 pm at Fresh Start Clubhouse
2051 South State St., Ann Arbor
The public is
welcome to attend. Please call our office to hear the latest
information!
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