NAMI Virginia Walk 2013

The main fundraiser for NAMI is called NAMIWalks. NAMI Virginia is hosting their annual walk on October 19, 2013 at Innsbrook in Glen Allen, Virginia. I (Ashley) am trying to fund raise for the walk with the proceeds going to NAMI Virginia as we do not have a bank account set up because we are just now in the affiliate application process. Typically, it is a 50/50 split--half the proceeds raised go to NAMI Virginia and half the proceeds go to the affiliate. However, NAMI Virginia state office is going to set aside money to help us start up, so the money does come back to us. If you would like to donate to this cause, please visit 2013 NAMIWalk: Ashley Church. Thank you!

Moving Towards Affiliate Status

I have a wonderful update. We just reached our fifth person to join this affiliate. That means we can start looking into affiliate status!

An update on the Open House...we have decided to push it back to January due to timing and conflicts of scheduling places.

But, we will continue to grow in the mean time and try and get more support, education, and advocacy for mental illness in the Southwest Virginia region.

Topic for Connections Recovery Support Group

   We are now going to do topics at each of the Connections Recovery Support Groups. To find out the topic for each meeting look on the events page, our Facebook page, or Twitter. This upcoming Connections Support Group meeting topic will be Relaxation/Stress Reduction.

Topics and Open House Update

    For the Connections Recovery Support Group that meets on Wednesday evenings at The Crisis Center, I am going to start picking topics that will be discussed and worked on. If you are a peer, and have a specific topic that you would like to discuss, please let me know (via email, phone, or in person. Email is swvanami@gmail.com or phone is (276) 466-2218 and leave a message for Ashley or Della). I will update the events page with the topic when I get everything worked out.

     As far as the Open Houses go, one of the grants came through. Therefore, at this point, we can only do one Open House with more (being at the other locations) in the future. We do have a date, time, and location selected for the NAMI Virginia Open House in Southwest Virginia. Once we confirm everything, the information will be posted. Look for it within the next few days.

Resources Tab

There is now a tab for resources. It is a work in progress, but eventually there will be a list of books, articles, information for special and vulnerable populations, and local trainings (non-NAMI) that deal with suicide prevention and mental health.

Also, the events tab has been updated with events for September and early October.

Now Enrolling for Family-to-Family Classes

We are now enrolling for Family-to-Family classes. Please click on the Family-to-Family tab to learn more about what the classes goes over and teaches. It is for family members/"like family" of loved ones living with a mental illness. Registration is required for these classes. The classes are free.

                                              What:  Family-to-Family Classes
                                              When: Wednesday evenings
                                                            Sept. 11, 2013 - December 4, 2013
                                                           (the classes build on one another)
                                              Where: Lifetime Wellness Center
                                                            1 Health Way
                                                            Marion, Virginia 24354

 If interested, email Ashley at swvanami@gmail.com; or call Barb at (276) 686-5590 or email her at namif2fswva@gmail.com.
                                

Family Support Group Facilitator Training

        I added the Family Support Group Facilitator Training flyer to the flyers/forms section. The training is for family members of people with a mental illness to become trained to facilitate a family support group. If you are interested in training, let me know and I can send you the application to fill out or you can go to NAMI Virginia's website, go under programs, and click on the Family Support Groups link. The application link is at the bottom of the page.