NAMI CARES
Concern, Advocacy, Research, Education, Support
MARCH 2011
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One of the definitions of community is: a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals. One of the ways that we as humans feel that sense of community is by knowing that others care about us. When you listen to someone that is depressed or suicidal, you are letting them know that you care. Here are a few tips on how to practice good listening skills.  Be quiet and listen! If someone is feeling depressed or suicidal, our first response is to try to help. We offer advice, share our own experiences, try to find solutions. We'd do better to be quiet and listen. People who feel suicidal don't want answers or solutions. They want a safe place to express their fears and anxieties, to be themselves. Listening - really listening - is not easy. We must control the urge to say something - to make a comment, add to a story or offer advice. We need to listen not just to the facts that the person is telling us but to the feelings that lie behind them. We need to understand things from their perspective, not ours.
Listening skills:
Being listened to
It is important for people to have the opportunity to explore difficult feelings. Being listened to in confidence, and accepted without prejudice, can alleviate general distress, despair and suicidal feelings.
Often being listened to is enough to help someone through a time of distress. Even just showing that you are there for them, and that you know they are going through a distressing time, can in itself be a comfort.
Are you a good listener?
Do you:
~Always try to give people your undivided attention?
~Let them sit in silence and collect their thoughts if they need to?
~Question them gently, tactfully and without intruding?
~Encourage them to tell their story in their own words and in their own time?
~Refrain from offering advice based on your own experience?
~Always try and see their point of view even though you may not agree with it?
... these can help show someone that you are really listening to them
or do you:
~Look around the room or glance at your watch while they are talking?
~Finish their sentences for them and correct their grammar?
~Interrupt to tell them how you once had a similar problem?
~Make a snap judgement based on their accent, dress or personal appearance?
~Tell them what you would do in their position?
~Say you understand before you've heard what their problem is?
... but these can give the impression that you are not listening
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Legislative Forum &
NAMI DKK Annual Meeting
Talk with your legislators about Mental Health Services in Illinois
Monday April 4, 2011
Agenda items for the forum will include:
Mental Health System Changes
Mental Health & the Corrections System
Best Practices: Mental Health Court etc.
The impact on families and their need for help
Working together to find solutions
8:30 a. m. Registration
9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Forum with Legislators
11:00 a.m. Lunch & Annual Meeting
Annual Meeting agenda: Election of board and officers Location:
Mercy Hospital Behavioral Health Building
Dunleavy Walsh Room
1325 Highland Avenue
Aurora, IL 60506 Please RSVP to 630-553-5777 if you plan to eat lunch with us. Back to Top
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Online Support for Young Adults
It's all about feeling connected
StrengthofUs.org is a NAMI developed user-driven social networking community where young adults can connect with their peers, provide mutual support and share personal stories, creativity and helpful resources by writing and responding to blog entries, engaging in discussion groups, posting to "The Wire" and sharing videos, photos and other news. The site also includes an online resource center that addresses topics young adults have identified as most important to them. Here is a list of the topics that are discussed on this website: Taking Charge
Reach your dreams and goals by taking control, finding your strength, learning about yourself and much more...
On Our Own
Begin your trek into adulthood by checking out stuff on employment, housing, money matters and much more...
Campus Life
Join the chat about staying healthy as a student, accessing campus-based supports, finding financial aid and much more...
Relationships
Connect with people in your life by learning about making and keeping friends, dating, building healthy relationships, intimacy and much more...
Educate Yourself
Gain knowledge about mental health conditions, services and supports, co-occuring conditions and much more...
Friends and Family
Support friends and family by discovering how to best help those you love, look out for yourself and much more...
Express Yourself
Let the creative sparks fly by sharing your creations, thoughts and inspiration in this creative space... Read more about these topics, read the tip sheets, or log into the discussions
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Mental Health Services Locator
For professionals, consumers and their families, and the public.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities. One of the most important goals of SAMHSA is to ensure that Americans can find treatment for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Issues in their local area. The Locator provides you with comprehensive information about mental health services and resources and is useful for professionals, consumers and their families, and the public. Find Mental Health Services in your area.
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Parent Empowerment Calls
Sponsored by the Division of Mental Health (DMH)
Parent Empowerment educational calls are being offered to all parents in Illinois who have a child with an emotional and/or behavioral concern, and will focus on giving parents information they need to advocate for and support their children.
PARENT EMPOWERMENT CALLS
SCHEDULE OF TOPICS FOR 2011
April 7: My Spring has Sprung-- I Really Want to Bounce Back (Resiliency) May 5: Can I Get a Hand-up? (Building A Natural Support System) June2: The Sibling Balance July 7: The Family Meeting (Crisis planning and family communication) August 4: BFF-We All Need Friends September 1: Sharing Our Story of Hope October 6: Advocating For A Lifetime November 3: Keeping Life Real (What parents need to know about trauma) December 1: Sleigh-driving Safety Course (Family driven care for the holidays) 12:00 PM-1:00 PM Toll free: 1-800-260-0712 Participant Access Code: 120964
Questions about the Parent Empowerment Calls? Call 618.838.9382
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Nami's Child & Adolescent Action Center
New resource on NAMI website
Families know all too well that the system is failing children and adolescents with mental illnesses. NAMI created the Child & Adolescent Action Center in response to this crisis, to focus attention on systems reform and to help and support families.
NAMI's Child & Adolescent Action Center focuses on mental health systems' reform that promises to improve the lives of children and adolescents with mental illnesses and their families. Their goal is to build and support grassroots advocacy to ensure an expanded systems' reform agenda at the local, state and national levels.
Each of the topics listed below contain multiple resources for you:
Research, Services & Treatment
Schools and Education
For Parents, Caregivers & Youth
Federal & State Policy Legislation
Juvenile Justice & Child Welfare
Explore these topics and read more about what the CAAC is working on
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Message of the Month
from the Kane County Mental Health Council
Knowing what to do in psychiatric emergencies
When considering what to do when a psychiatric emergency or crisis occurs, it may be helpful to follow a medical model. In a medical emergency, the decision whether to contact your doctor, go to a walk-in clinic or an urgent care facility, go to an emergency room, or call 911 is largely determined by the situation and seriousness of the injury. Similarly, in a psychiatric emergency, one must consider the situation and the seriousness of the symptoms involved.
In some psychiatric emergencies, such as suicide attempts or gestures, homicidal threats, or psychosis, there are clear indicators that one needs immediate assistance and should be taken to the nearest emergency room. Some situations are less obvious or symptoms are less intense, such as an increase in psychiatric symptoms, suicidal or homicidal thoughts, or simply feeling overwhelmed. In those cases, one may call the treating psychiatrist or physician, or choose to meet with an emergency therapist on a walk-in basis.
It is important to know that these emergency crisis services are available 24-hours a day, 7-day a week regardless of funding or ability to pay. One can visit the Ecker Center's Psychiatric Emergency Program, known as PEP, next to Sherman Hospital's Emergency Room or call the crisis line at AID's Crisis Intervention Service. Face-to-face assessments are available at Sherman, Provena Mercy, Provena St. Joseph, and Delnor Hospital.
If you or a loved one is involved in an emergency assessment, you may be evaluated by a triage nurse, a doctor or nurse practitioner, an ER nurse, a behavioral health practitioner or social worker, and possibly a screener for additional services. It would be helpful to be able to communicate the events that led to the need for an assessment, current and/or past medications, an emergency contact person, and personal information such as insurance/funding, social security number, current address, current employment, and living situation. Sometimes the situation is serious enough to warrant inpatient treatment; in other cases, outpatient recommendations are made for follow-up care.
Info Corner: Numbers to remember:
847-888-2211 (PEP) Psychiatric Emergency Program at Sherman Hospital
630-966-9393 Crisis Line of the Fox Valley/AID Crisis Intervention Service
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Coming Events
*NAMIDKK Board Meeting - The next meeting will be April 4, 2011.
*April 4, 2011 - Legislative Forum sponsored by NAMI-DKK (registration at 8:30 a.m. Forum begins at 9:00 a.m.) Come join our discussion with our elected officials. This is a great chance to tell them in person how you want them to vote. RSVP to 630-553-5777 if staying for lunch.
*April 4, 2011 - NAMI-DKK general meeting (begins after the Legislative Forum - about 11a.m.)
*All three of the above meetings will be held at the Dunleavy-Walsh room in the Behavioral Health Building on Provena Mercy Medical Center Campus in Aurora.
Save These Dates
April 26 to May 8, 2011 - Next to Normal Broadway production in Chicago at the Bank of America Theater.May 12, 2011 - Mental Health Rally in Chicago and Springfield (See article below for details) July 6-9, 2011 - NAMI National Conference to be held at Chicago Hilton |
Mental Health Rally for 2011 Thursday, May 12 Tired of Illinois' constant budget cuts to mental health programs - 40% over the last 3 years? Well here's your chance to speak out and join a rally against these cuts. This year's mental health lobby day and rally, sponsored by NAMI Illinois, Mental Health America Illinois and the Mental Health Summit will be held on Thursday, May 12. There will be simultaneous rallies at the Thompson Center in downtown Chicago and on the steps of the state capitol in Springfield. And the Springfield rally will be accompanied by visits to Senators' and Representatives' offices to leave the message in person. Buses for Springfield will leave around 7:00 AM and return later that same day. Stay tuned for further details, and we hope you will be able to join us for this mega event.
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Bad News for Human Services
On Governor Quinn's Proposed Budget - by Hugh Brady (From NAMI Barrington newsletter) It looks like budget cuts are going to take a disproportionate share of human services funding in Illinois, unfairly burdening those most in need of assistance and costing the state, in the long run, far more than what will be saved. Take a look at these numbers: · Mental health grants - cut 23% · Teen parent services - cut 51% · Homeless prevention - cut 58% · Child care - cut 37% · Domestic violence shelters - cut 18% · Independent living centers - cut 25% · Circuit breaker - 100% cut, program eliminated · Aid to the Aged, Blind and Disabled - cut 49% In addition, under this proposal, there will be a 6% cut in Medicaid, which impacts hospitals, nursing homes, providers of mental health services and others. We must continue to work together to speak out about these cuts. Read more from Illinois Partners for Human Services
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Readers' Corner
Review from NAMI Advocate Magazine
Where are the Cocoa Puffs?: 
A Family's Journey Through Bipolar Disorder by Karen Winters Schwartz Goodman Beck Publishing (2010) Where are the Cocoa Puffs? illustrates how a well-crafted piece of fiction can be effective at explaining the experience of mental illness. The story unfolds like the chronology of an earthquake, with 18-year-old Amanda at the epicenter and those close to her being shaken to varying degrees by the development of her illness. Just like in documentary photographs of a quake or a storm, what communicates the hugeness of the event are snapshots of the details: a troubling conversation in which Amanda plans to cure blindness and deafness; a trip with the extended family; the breakdown on the cereal aisle because there are no Cocoa Puffs; mother Carol's tears in a restaurant that reminds her of happier times or Amanda's younger sister acting out with the wrong guy. Bipolar disorder shows itself to be a storm that peaks and levels and rages again, but that is best communicated by daily events like meals or a mundane activity cut short by a phone call signaling the beginning of a new stage of crisis. One of the most gripping themes in Cocoa Puffs is watching Amanda's father, a psychiatrist, slowly recognize and come to terms with his daughter's illness. The reader sees events such as the first suicidal conversation and the first hospitalization through the eyes of someone who has experienced them many times before-but not like this. In one moving scene, Jerry receives a prescription from his daughter's psychiatrist and finds himself lingering, knowing that this is all the doctor can give him, but wishing the other man could just give him some reassurance about his daughter's illness. Another interesting element in the book is Amanda's relationship with her boyfriend, Ryan. Older, long-haired, not currently in school, he is not what her parents ideally want for her in a partner. But over time, he becomes a powerful support to both Amanda and the rest of the family. Like the NAMI Family-to-Family class that helps Carol, Ryan shows how sometimes families find healing outside the family. When the reader is inside Ryan's head, it's like a moment of calm. All the worries, anger and projections from the minds of the rest of the family stop, and we can just appreciate what he loves about Amanda, even as we see his own struggle to understand her illness. Unlike its title, the book is not always sweet-sex, strong language and drugs are all part of this slice of life. In keeping with the naturalistic tone, the book's resolution is a glimmer of normalcy. After many months of painful ups and downs, mother and daughter finally meet in the middle for a regular conversation. "Wow," the family says together. Readers with all degrees of familiarity with mental illness may very well find themselves saying the same at the end of the book. Reviewed by Kim Puchir
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March Fast Fact
Without treatment the consequences of mental illness for the individual and society are staggering: unnecessary disability, unemployment, substance abuse, homelessness, inappropriate incarceration, suicide and wasted lives; The economic cost of untreated mental illness is more than 100 billion dollars each year in the United States.
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Help Researchers Study Learning Disabilities
Why is learning so difficult for some children?
The researchers use fMRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) to study how a child's brain reads, does math and how it changes as they develop.
Children are asked to participate in:
~standardized testing of reading, math and IQ
~Practice sessions to learn math and reading tasks
~MRI sessions of brain structure and function
Testing takes place after school or on weekends at Northwestern University (Evanston) and the center for advanced MRI (Chicago)
The entire project takes about 8 hours your time and participants who enroll will be paid
Who is invited to participate?
~Children ages 8 to 13 years old
~Typically developing children
~Children with dyscalculia (math disability)
~Children with dyslexia (reading disability)
~Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
If you are interested please contact:
(847) 4676842 or dcn@northwestern.edu
www.dcn.northwestern.edu
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 Next to Normal Tour Hit Broadway musical comes to Chicago in April
The most talked about new show on Broadway is Next to Normal - the acclaimed, groundbreaking musical "that pushes Broadway in new directions" (Rolling Stone). With a thrilling contemporary score, Next to Normal is an emotional powerhouse of a musical about a family trying to take care of themselves and each other.
Read more about the hit Broadway show
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Schizophrenia Research
Study needs participants
Northwestern University is looking for participants for a Schizophrenia Research Project. The studies look at different aspects of the illness using MRI technology, clinical interviews, and cognitive testing. Individuals with schizophrenia, their mothers, and their siblings are encouraged to contact Dr. John Csernansky's research lab at 312-695-8643 to find out which studies they qualify for as participants. The major goal of this study is to improve understanding of the underlying causes and mechanisms of schizophrenia, especially during its earliest phases. Participants are compensated up to $25 per hour for their time.
See the flyer for more details
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Please note that this study still needs participants as of October 2010. If you are interested it is not too late to sign up.
Research Study Opportunity
Patients and Family Members Needed to Help Solve the Puzzles of Bipolar Disorder & Schizophrenia
Researchers are looking for participants for a project called Bipolar-Schizophrenia Network on Intermediate Phenotypes (B-SNIP). The B-SNIP project is funded by the National Institute of Health to learn about risk for schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder and bipolar disorder and their associated biological and behavioral traits (called intermediate phenotypes). The goal of this research is to help better understand the causes of these illnesses so that better treatments may be developed.
For more information or to enroll contact: B-SNIP Research Study LineCenter for Cognitive Medicine,
Suite 235, Department of Psychiatry
University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center
912 S. Wood St., Chicago, IL 60612
Phone: 312-355-5549
Email: bsnip@psych.uic.edu
You can find out about other research opportunities at nami.org.
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NAMIDKK
Vision Statement
VISION: NAMI-DKK is dedicated to the eradication of the stigma of mental illness by improving the quality of life of all those striving for mental health wellness.
NAMIDKK
Mission Statement
MISSION: The mission of NAMI-DKK is to provide support education and advocacy for persons, family members and communities dealing with mental health issues
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Support Groups
NAMI-DKK FAMILY SUPPORT GROUPS
(No charge, no reservations needed)
These support groups provide relevant information, valuable insight, and the opportunity to engage in support networks. The groups are led by family members that have been trained in classes provided by NAMI Illinois. Family members are invited to join more than one group to provide more frequent support.
Aurora:
3rd Tuesday of the month,
from 7:00-8:30 p.m.
The McDermott room, Provena Mercy Hospital (lower level), in Aurora.
630-761-6971 (Buzz Hays)
DeKalb:
This support group is currently not meeting. Please contact our NAMI-DKK office at (630) 896-6264 for the latest information.
St. Charles:
1st Thursday of the month at 7 p.m.
The Congregational United Church of Christ, 40W451 Fox Mill Blvd. St. Charles, IL. (To get there, go west on Route 64 to Fox Mill Blvd. and turn left. The church is south of Fox Mill on the left. The entrance is on the south corner from the parking lot.)
630-584-7481 (Lynette Niequist)
Elgin (NAMI Kane County):
2nd Tuesday 6:30-8:00 p.m.
St, Joseph Hospital
(St. Mary's Room lower level)
Call Laurie 847-695-7957
NAMI CONNECTIONS RECOVERY GROUPS
(No charge, no reservations needed)
Currently the NAMI-DKK Connections Recovery Groups are not meeting.
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OTHER AREA SUPPORT GROUPS
KENDALL COUNTY SUPPORT GROUPS:
The Kendall County Health Department provides the following support groups lead by mental health professionals. For further information please contact the KCHD Admissions Coordinator, Rhonda at (630) 553-9100 X8053
· Life Strengths: Peer Support for those dealing with chronic mental illness.
· Understanding your Diagnosis: Family support and for those individual(s) working towards mental health recovery.
. Dual Diagnosis Group: Treatment for those individuals addressing both substance abuse and mental health issues.
DEPRESSION & BIPOLAR SUPPORT ALLIANCE:
DeKalb(NIU): Meets Monthly the last Saturday at 12 noon in Immanuel Lutheran Church on Russell Rd.
Follow signs. Easy parking
Contact person: Charles Smith Phone: (815) 398-9628 Fax: (815) 398-5995 Email: mrsippy1d@comcast.net Website: www.grouphope.org
Fox Valley: Meets 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at:
Behavioral Health Services Bldg.
Campus of Central DuPage Hosp.
27 W 350 Highlake Rd.
Winfield Rd., Winfield, IL.
Contact person: Judy Kramer, Pres.
Phone: 630-466-4851
Email: Judykramer@MCHSI.com
Website: www.DBSAFoxvalley.org
CARES Support Group - led by and for individuals working towards recovery
Monday mornings 11:00 - 12:00 p.m.
Ecker Center, Elgin - 2nd Floor
for information: NAMI - 847-426-4594
NAMI DUPAGE COUNTY SUPPORT GROUPS:
NAMI DuPage has several support groups that are open to anyone no matter where you live. There is no charge for these groups. To find out more about these groups and where they meet you can go to: http://www.namidupage.org/support/support-groups
NAMI BARRINGTON SUPPORT GROUPS: NAMI Barrington has two family support groups that are open to anyone no matter where you live. There is no charge for these groups. To find out more about these groups and where they meet you can click on this link. |
Consumers' Corner
Calling all consumers!
We would love to have contributions for our newsletter from Consumers who would like to share personal stories, poetry, ideas that have helped you make it through the rough times, or any creative work. If you would like to contribute visual art please contact Nina for details on how to do that.How do you feel about the word "Consumer"? That is the word used by NAMI to indicate a person with a mental illness. Does that word work for you? Do you have an idea for another word that might indicate who you are, yet do it in a positive way? Let us know what you think. Please send your ideas to Nina and she will pass that information on to our Board for consideration. Back to Top |
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Resources
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Volunteer Opportunities
Do you want to help?
NAMIDKK would love to be doing more but there is just not enough time in our days to do everything we think of. If you have an hour or more to help us out we would be glad to hear from you. For some things you do not even need to come into our office to help. If you can help us returning phone calls we will provide training and resource materials. If this is something you would like to do, please contact Elaine at 630-377-1563 or epmulligan1@gmail.com.Your help as volunteers would increase our ability to help improve the quality of life for individuals with mental illness and their families. We need: a grant writer, a publicity coordinator, speakers bureau volunteers, help line call takers, dinner/raffle help, more people for our educations programs, someone to join NAMI National's Stigma Buster Alert program, people to help update resource information, as well as newsletter submissions. |
Membership BECOME A MEMBER OF NAMI DEKALB, KANE SOUTH & KENDALL COUNTIES
NAMI DKK is a nonprofit organization affiliated with NAMI - The National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Membership includes: Membership in Illinois and National NAMI
NAMI National's publication Advocate (quarterly)
NAMI Illinois' publication Stateline (quarterly)
NAMI DKK CARES email Newsletter (monthly) New members receive a welcome packet and our NAMI-DKK Handbook (when available). Please complete the information below and mail your check or money order to NAMI-DKK 400 Mercy Lane, Aurora, Illinois 60506 Name:___________________________ Address:_________________________ City:_____________Zip:_____________ Telephone (s):_____________________ Email (s): ________________________ Individual: $30/year _______ Advocate: $100/year _______ Lifetime: $500 _______ Written Newsletter Only _______ ($10 suggested donation) Open Door $3/year _______ (Those with limited means/fixed incomes are invited to join at this reduced rate) Donation Only $ _______ Total Enclosed: $ _____________ Note: Membership and donations are tax deductible. Back to Top
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Forward This Newsletter
PLEASE PASS THIS ON
If you know someone that might benefit from getting this newsletter you can use the link below to forward this newsletter to them. If they enjoy it and want to get it all the time they can subscribe, but only if they want to. They will not be automatically put on our mailing list.
The newsletter is a great way to keep up with what is going on with NAMIDKK, find resources, and learn about ways you can help.
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About Us
NAMIDKK can be reached by
phone: 630-896-6264
fax: 630-896-6365
email: info@namidkk.org
mail: 400 Mercy Lane
Aurora, IL 60506
website: namidkk.org
NAMIDKK is an affiliate of a national network of NAMI groups all over the world. The national website
has many resources for both consumers and families, educational
information about mental illness and treatments, and the latest news
concerning our issues. NAMI Illinois is the state organization
that can direct you to local events and groups as well as keeping us
updated about what is happening in our state. The state website also has resources and links to other organizations.
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NAMIDKK Board of Directors
Phyllis Graeser - President Nina Finch - Vice President Jack Hazel - Vice President Walter Deuchler - Treasurer Mary Ihnenfeld - Secretary Suzanne Deuchler Denise Edwards Regina Harris Jim McNish Elaine Mulligan Betty Schoenholtz Jennifer Wilcox Legal Advisor: Alschuler, Simantz & Hem, LLC - Jan OPittman, Legal Assistant Accountant: Borhart, Spellmeyer & Co. Back to Top
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Educational Programs
Helping schools reach out to children with mental illness
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PARENTS AND TEACHERS AS ALLIES:
Parents and Teachers as allies was created to help families and school professionals identify the key warning signs of early-onset mental illnesses in children and adolescents in our schools. The program is intended to provide an educational tool for advancing mutual understanding and communication between families and school professionals. This program is designed for two-hour teacher in-services, parent PTA sponsored evenings, and mental health professional classes.
RED FLAGS:
Red Flags is a depression awareness program for middle school students. It is generally taught in health classes and takes 3-5 class periods. The teacher can choose between 2 DVD's: "Claire's Story," or "Thick'n Thin," a more recent story of teenage depression. Two additional DVD's go with the program, as well as suggested class activites, information on mental illness and discussion topics.
ENDING THE SILENCE:
Ending the Silence is a high school health class presentation, typically presented during the mental health portion of the curriculum. This interactive program teaches the basic signs and symptoms of mental illnesses in teenagers, presents personal stories to reduce stigma, and provides many resource materials for students.
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Ways to donate to NAMI-DKK:
 By phone: Call 630-896-6264 By mail: Click here to fill out a form that you can print out and mail to our office. At your workplace: An easy way to double - even triple - the value of your contribution to NAMI-DKK! Thousands of companies (of all sizes, in all industries) have Matching Gift programs that "match" their employees' contributions (often Board members and spouses too) to their favorite charities. To learn more about how to match your donation to NAMI-DKK click here. Planned Giving: You can plan the giving from your estate with the help of an attorney using a number of legal mechanisms, such as a charitable remainder trust, that may enable you to maintain your estate, provide for yourself and your family, and leave a lasting legacy. Sponsorship of Events or NAMI-DKK Programs: Opportunities to donate to NAMI-DKK include sponsoring events such as our Dinner/raffle and our annual Run/Walk. You can designate funds for specific programs. NAMI-DKK programs include Family to Family classes, Crisis Intervention Training for law enforcement, adult and student based educational programs, family support groups, a monthly newsletter, printed informational materials and a help call line staffed by volunteers.
To find out more about these and other programs contact NAMI-DKK office at 630-896-6264. Buy Raffle Tickets: Call our office for more information about buying raffle tickets for our annual Dinner/Raffle. They are usually available in January and the first week of February of each year. Drawing is at our annual dinner. You do not need to be present to win. Memorial and Honorary Giving: Memorial Giving: Your memorial gift to NAMI-DKK is a personal remembrance that honors the life and memory of a friend or loved one, and offers the gift of hope for the future.
Honorary Giving: Holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, Mother's or Father's Day, or the arrival of a new baby are special moments that we can help you celebrate. A gift to NAMI is a wonderful way for individuals, organizations, businesses, and groups to honor these special occasions in our lives and pay tribute to a friend or loved one. Based on the information you provide, NAMI-DKK will send a letter to the family of the memorialized or to the honored person, notifying them of your thoughtful gift. NAMI-DKK is a 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are tax deductible.
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Employer Matching Donations How do I secure a matching gift for my donation to NAMI-DKK? Contact your Human Resources Department to find out if your company has a Matching Gift Program. If they have a matching gift program, your company likely uses one of two ways to secure your additional matching gift to NAMI-DKK: (Most common) Obtain your company's matching gift form, fill out the "Donor" section, and mail it to NAMI-DKK when you send your donation. NAMI-DKK will complete the "Charity" section of the form, and mail it back to your company. This will confirm that we received your gift and request their matching gift. (Less common) Make your donation to NAMI-DKK through the mail or phone. Upon receipt of your gift, NAMI-DKK will send a letter acknowledging your contribution. Bring this letter to your Matching Gift program coordinator who will distribute your company's matching gift to NAMI-DKK. Why should I give a matching gift to NAMI-DKK? Matching gift programs allow you to allocate your company's charitable dollars to the cause nearest and dearest to you heart, greatly increasing your donation's value to NAMI-DKK. What's more, NAMI-DKK considers your corporation's matching gift as part of your total contribution. Therefore, your $50 gift can become a $100 or $150 gift to NAMI-DKK. So please -- go ahead and make a donation to NAMI-DKK today!
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