| MONTHLY NEWSLETTER | November 2010
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National Alliance on Mental Illness, California State Organization
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 Welcome Members and Affiliates
We welcome your ideas for topics to cover, your feedback on issues that face consumers, families, and providers across the state. Contact us at newsletter@namicalifornia.org.
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October Walks Set New Firsts in Southern California
 | | Hendrickson and Semple |
Kern County held its first-ever NAMIWALK at The Park, located at the River Walk in Bakersfield. More than 800 attended and over 500 people enjoyed a free meal and live entertainment. NAMI Kern County members travelled from two hours away to attend and NAMI California President Dorothy Hendrickson drove all the way from Orange County. Russ Semple, President of NAMI Kern County, estimated that this year's 2010 NAMI Walk grossed approximately $30,000 to assist the affiliate to carry on NAMI National Programs as well as locally established Signature Programs like FRONT LINE and OutSpoken Young Minds.
L.A. COUNTY NAMIWALK 2010
L.A. hosted its seventh annual NAMIWalk in Los Angeles and it was the biggest and most successful ever, culminating with over 4,000 in attendance and over 1,000 more walkers than ever before!
ORANGE COUNTY NAMIWALK 2010
 More than 1,500 walkers met at the at the Huntington Beach Pier for a 5k walk along the boardwalk in rainy weather and scattered lightning, but the sun came out and spirits were high. There was face painting and balloon critters for the children, cloggers and hula dancers for all. To date, the walkers have raised more than $152,000!
NAMIWALKS RIVERSIDE/BAN BERNARDINO
NAMI Riverside/San Bernardino will hold its 5K "Walk for the Mind of America" on Saturday, November 6 at Diamond Valley Lake, off Domenigoni Parkway, 2345 Searl Parkway in Hemet. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the walk starts at 9:30. There is no walker's fee; however, the parking fee is $5. The event will include a "Virtual Mind" tent, a play area for children, free food and drinks, information on health services in the county, drawings for prizes and a silent auction for a laptop computer and original art.The honorary walk chair is musician Darrell Mansfield, who will be
 | | Temecula Volunteers |
performing on stage at the walk. He will also give a benefit concert on Friday, November 5, at 7 p.m., at Crossroads Church, 28753 Via Montezuma, Temecula. For tickets call 695-1123.For more information on organizing a walk team or for sponsorship information, contact Virginia Marshall at 244-4187, or visit the website at http://www.nami.org/namiwalks/CA/Riverside.
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 Parental Gratitude
Robin Ramirez of Bakersfield wrote a testimonial to round up support for the first local NAMIWALK. His story about his daughter is inspirational:
The words "mental illness" are voodoo or stigma related, often whispered or quickly changed to the next topic.Until mental illness directly impacted the life of my child, I was much the same.
Suicide is the third-leading cause of death for young people ages 15 to 24 and the fourth-leading cause of death for ages 10 to 14.
Many of you have seen and heard about my daughter Marley's personal battle with bi-polar disorder, a mental illness affecting 10 million Americans. We were fortunate enough to hear Marley's cry for help and have made great strides toward understanding and helping her manage this often fatal condition.
Marley has started college here in Bakersfield and has become quite the busy young lady between school, a part time job, and helping coach kids soccer. We were fortunate enough to find an organization and support groups hosted by NAMI Kern.
OSYM--Out-Spoken-Young-Minds is the youth peer group which
Marley attends and advocates every Tuesday night. Marley has been a part of the group since its inception and has been able to share her journey in an award-winning documentary "Dying for help, a stark look at teen suicide" and was a speaker at the NAMI National convention in Washington DC last July.
This year's donations are 30% down from last year and 100% of the proceeds from walks are given to NAMI and its many causes.
Knowing a mental health problem exists is most of the battle; once you know your enemy you can fight a fair fight."
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 NAMI Kern FRONTLINE Project Featured in National Webinar
Nami Kern County's successful FRONTLINE project will be a featured program for the NAMI National Webinar to run in concert with the nation's observance of Pearl Harbor on December 7th.
The primary target audience for the Webinar will be affiliate leaders who have, for the most part, never had any interaction with VA hospitals, medical or vet centers. The Webiner is to help them understand how to start the process of making that first connection and building relationships whereby a F2F class is scheduled.
Organizers want Webiner guests "to hear how the Kern County project has been an excellent tool to establish NAMI visibility and credibility within the VA community," says organizer Lynne Saunders, Director of Technical Operations and Special Programs for NAMI Education.
For more information, visit NAMI FRONTLINE, or call NAMI Kern at (661) 868-5061. |
 Help for Families of LGBT Teens
In light of recent news stories regarding LGBT teen suicides, NAMI California wishes to provide a list of resources that can provide information and support to families. While teen suicide continues to exist at troubling levels, LGBT teens subjected to peer pressures and harassment raise their risk of suicide even higher. Gender orientation is NOT a risk factor for suicide, according to the Trevor Project, an agency that offers lifeline live chat with trained volunteers. But social factors put these teens in high risk groups for self-destructive behaviors.There are disparities in mental health treatment among GLBT populations and the double stigma of being gay or lesbian AND suffering from mental illness can be more than anyone can bear without support.For our readers, here is a great resource from Georgetown University that provides key information to families supporting their LGBT children. And you'll also find more information at NAMI.org regarding GLBT Mental Health Resources.
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NAMI Kern Receives Community Spirit Award Grant
NAMI Kern has been named recipient of The Chevron Community SPIRIT Award in the amount of $5,000, earmarked for the Basics Program. NAMI National's BASIC Program trains parents to teach a six-week family educational class on Mental Illness to their peers whose children have developed mental illness before the age of 13.
The focus of the Chevron Community SPIRIT Award Program is to support programs and services that directly impact the following key areas: Basic Human Needs, Education & Training, and Economic Development. These program themes will be awarded the majority of the available funds.
The next step is in establishing eacher training in Bakersfield to begin holding classes in 2011, according to Marie Neel, Family Education Coordinator; NAMI Kern County, and Family to Family Teacher.
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 NAMI Family Programs - November 2010
We are looking forward this month to our Family to Family trainings in Santa Barbara and Elk Grove (Sacramento) area. Says one future trainee: "I look forward to giving back what NAMI has done for me by offering the Family to Family program." Additionally, there will be two Basics trainings early next year. Basics is a six week program for parents and caregivers of a child or teenager with mental illness. We look forward to hearing from NAMI affiliates who would be interested in adding this important program!
--Lynn Cathy, Director of Family Programs
NAMI California
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 MHA Village Cookie Shoppe Offers Consumer-baked Holiday Treats
With the holidays just around the corner, you can pick out that special gift for your family, friends and clients. How about a gift that gives twice - like delectable buttery baked goodness from MHA's Village Cookie Shoppe?
The Village Cookie Shoppe (part of Mental Health Association of Los Angeles) has been baking and perfecting its recipe for cookies and brownies for more than a decade, resulting in fresh, homemade, and delicious cookies. They make a special treat for family, friends, or neighbors, or a solution for a business to send its holiday greetings to customers.
The MHA Village has been empowering people recovering from mental illness since 1990. Your purchase of cookies gives comnsumers a valuable opportunity to have a job and gain work experience as they build their confidence and self-esteem, taking an important step toward independence.
To give a meaningful gift this year, please visit
www.villagecookieshoppe.com or call 1-888-490-6688
Wishing you happy holidays,
--Hilary Lawson
Community Integration Specialist
The Village
562-437-6717 ext. 323
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Tulare County Consumer Family Task Force Update
The newly formed Task Force (all NAMI Tulare County members) atttended the NAMI CA Conference in Burlingame hoping it would not only give them the opportunity to network, but also to attend educational workshops.The Task Force attended the Consumer Family Leadership Committee meeting and participated in the public comment period, and then attended workshops that were pertinent to their mission of service within Tulare County. Members were provided with a worksheet to help them bring back information to share collectively. Mark Ragins, M.D., from the MHA Village Program, was especially interesting to the Task Force since he will be in Tulare County in January 2011 for a week of training on Stigma and Discrimination.The provisions made for accommodating the consumers were very much appreciated and theTask Force was "blown away" by the friendliness and acceptance shown by those attending the Conference.--Kent Henry MFT,
Tulare County Liaison;
--Darlene Prettyman, RN
Chair, CFTF
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 Criminal Justice Update
On October 11, 2010 the newly formed Criminal Justice Workgroup held its first Conference Call. This year NAMI California is broadening participation of both current and past NAMI California Criminal Justice Workgroup Chairs, as well as NAMI affiliate and criminal justice leaders from around the state.
The first call was to brainstorm topics and potential goals, and participation was large and enthusiastic. To review the main topics and potential goals, click here.
If you would like to receive news on progress and/or volunteer your time and expertise to our Advisory Pool, please email nami.criminaljustice@nami.california.org and request an Advisory Pool application.
-- Mark Gale Second Vice-President NAMI California Board of Directors
NAMI California Government Affairs and Policy Committee, Chair NAMI California Criminal Justice Workgroup, Chair |
NAMI North Coastal San Diego County
NAMI North Coastal San Diego County held a Candidates Forum which brought a capacity turnout of candidates and members. It was a good educational experience for prospective legislators and a demonstration to members about how we can approach our legislators and work successfully to meet the needs of persons with brain disorders.
The candidates who were the top two vote-getters in the primary for offices that serve the geographic area were invited. The questions were sent to the candidates in advance so each one had the opportunity to study the issues.
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| Contact Information |
newsletter@namicalifornia.org
or call NAMI California
(916) 567-0163
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NAMI California's Tree of Tribute
Each year many donors elect to give a gift in celebration of
an event, in honor of a special individual or in memory of a loved one.
The Tree of Tribute formalizes this tradition by providing a
lasting
acknowledgement
for individuals who are remembered, individuals who are
honored or have an enduring record of a significant celebration.
Gifts in Celebration, in Honor or in Memory
Gifts of $500 or more will be eligible for an engraved leaf
on the Tree of Tribute or an engraved stone at the base of the tree.
$500 - Bronze leaf
$1,000 - Silver leaf
$2,000 - Gold leaf
$3,000 -- Small stone
$5,000 - Large stone
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Major Donors
NAMI California thanks the following for their very generous contributions of $500 or more.Humanitarian: $5,000 - $15,000
The Community Foundation, Riverside, CA
Mitch Francis, (location withheld on request)
Patron: $2,500 - $4,999
Benefactor: $1,000 - $2,499
Rita Jean Boppana, Playa Del Rey, CA
Attias Family Foundation, Los Angeles, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation, Mountain View, CA
Frances Tibbits, Pacific Palisades, CA
Carla Jacobs, Tustin, CA
Betty & Marvin Hoffernberg, Pacific Palisades, CA
Shareholder: $750-$999
Sponsor: $500-$749
Teresa A Walker, San Mateo, CA
Stephen Dwelle, President, Dwelle Family Foundation, Visalia, CA
Edward Gaston, MD & Lori Zager,San Rafael, CA
Margaret C. Winrich, Kelseyville, CA
Elaine Zelnik, Berkeley, CA
Doris Crowell, Walnut Creek, CA
Jeannette Lowe, Washoe Valley, NV
Pamela Zelnik & Mark Suhr, Berkeley, CA
Elizabeth L Friedman, Los Angeles, CA
Elizabeth Chamberlain, Woodside, CA
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Aldrich, Glendale, CA
John & Beverly White, Brentwood, TN
John J Krolewski & Nadia Ghent, Irvine, CA
Mark & Theresa Gale, West Hills, CA
Frances Tibbits, Pacific Palisades, CA
Christopher & Mary Folck Family, Truckee, CA
Glen & Linda Meyer, Danville, CA
Nancy Doyle, Santa Rosa, CA
Stephen & Jacqueline Astle, San Rafael, CA
Elizabeth S. Holden, Eugene. OR
Loeb Family Foundation
Linda K. Pontious, Grass Valley, CA
Elizabeth Chamberlain, Woodside, CA
Gunnar Christiansen, MD, Santa Ana, CA
Venona & John Levine, Walnut Creek, CA
Ralph Nelson, Visalia, CA
Victoria Link, Rolling Hills Estates, CA
Mark Gale, West Hills, CA
Ronald & Pat Stone, Modesto, CA
Palmyra Cameron, Los Angeles, CA
Virginia Whitcombe, Palos Verdes Estates, CA.
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All donations,
large and small,
are greatly appreciated by
NAMI California and help
us achieve our mission
at the state level.
_______________________
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This educational newsletter is supported, in part, by an educational grant from Lilly USA, LLC. For further information concerning Lilly grant funding visit www.lillygrantoffice.com. |
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