NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley News

NAMIWalks Your Way – NAMI National Day of Hope

Posted on by Angela Gallagher

People participating in NAMIWalks Your Way virtually

This year presents new challenges, so NAMIWalks is “going virtual.” On Saturday, October 10, NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley will participate in NAMIWalks Your Way: A National Day of Hope with other NAMI affiliates in more than 40 cities.

Instead of walking a 5K together at Veterans Memorial Park, Bettendorf, many participants still plan to walk, using their treadmill or going outside in the backyard or through a local park—all while taking precautions to stay safe. Others plan to hula-hoop, flip pancakes, practice yoga or do another activity they enjoy. They will share their activities on social media and follow NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley’s program online that includes mental health facts, participant activities and local entertainment.

“One in five adults experience mental illness, but it touches five in five people either directly or indirectly,” according to NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley Executive Director Angela Gallagher. “Now more than ever, our communities need to come together to raise awareness and let people know they are not alone.”

Click here to join NAMIWalks Your Way. There is no registration fee, but fundraising is encouraged. Funds raised here, stay here, for NAMI ’s free local mental health programs.

Posted in Advocacy, NAMIWalksTagged , ,

Life is Beautiful Concert – Live stream from Bishop Hill

Posted on by Angela Gallagher

Donate to NAMI

Your donation is tax deductible. NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley is a 501c3 nonprofit. IRS ID# 42-1188963.

rabbit with a heart and flowers

Three Spectacular Evenings

12 Local & Regional Bands

The Life is Beautiful event is back for its third year with a decidedly “Quaran-Tune” twist. A three-night live stream event from Bishop Hill Creative Commons, a visual and performing arts cooperative located in Bishop Hill, Ill., is made possible by Heartland Connections. Concert organizer Joe Lee moved the event from in-person to live stream to meet evolving pandemic trends.

The concert is Friday through Sunday, August 14 to 16, from 5 to 9 p.m. each day. Live stream locations:

  • Heartland Connections Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandConnections/live
  • NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/NamiGreaterMississippiValley/live
  • NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley YouTube – YouTube Live:  https://youtube.com/channel/UCYeSgOfnlb0ddhZZmbensQg/live

Attending is free and donations are encouraged to support NAMI’s no-cost mental health education and support programs.

Three-evening Line Up

Friday, August 14
5:00-5:45    Been There Done That
6:00-6:45    Aubs.
7:00-7:45    Dr. Heat
8:00-8:45    Jenny Lynn Stacy & the Dirty Roosters

Saturday, August 15
5:00-5:45    The Memphis Dives
6:00-6:45    Doomr Noomr Boomr
7:00-7:45    Rezinator
8:00-8:45    DYNORIDE

Sunday, August 16
5:00-5:45    Murnau
6:00-6:45    Giallows
7:00-7:45    Cedar County Cobras
8:00-8:45    Cryptostatic

Posted in Advocacy, fundraisingTagged , , , , ,

Seeking Sponsors for Life is Beautiful 2020

Posted on by Angela Gallagher

Sponsor or Donate to NAMI

Thank you for helping us make this a successful mental health advocacy and fundraising event. All donation amounts are appreciated. Sponsorships of $250, $500, $1,000 or more will receive acknowledgement through the NAMIWalks 2020 event as well!

Saturday, May 30 from  2 to 11 p.m.

Bierstube, 415 15th Street, Moline

Life is Beautiful 2020 Text
First started in memory of a dear artist friend who has passed, Life is Beautiful is a full day of local and regional music brought to you by music promoter Joe Lee. Silent Art Auction organized by potter and painter Carolyn Krueger. Proceeds benefit NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley as we work together to prevent suicide in our community.
All Life is Beautiful sponsorships will be given credit for our NAMIWalks 2020 event on September 19 at Veterans Memorial Park, Bettendorf.
Thank you to the performing and visual arts community for investing in NAMI’s free education and support programs by donating their time and works. Also, thanks to Bob Rebitzer of Bierstube Moline for donating the concert hall and beer garden for the day.
For a full schedule of May 30, please see the Life is Beautiful Facebook Page. Sample two music stages and 12 bands. Features alternative, rock and bluegrass artists. Bierstube is a family restaurant and bar – so make this a family outing!
Posted in Advocacy, fundraising, NAMIWalksTagged ,

Jewel-Osco Pharmacists to Talk About Mental Health

Posted on by Angela Gallagher
In March, Jewel-Osco pharmacists will talk with customers about NAMI and mental health.

During March, Jewel-Osco pharmacists will talk about mental health with customers and share information about NAMI education and support programs.

Visit with a pharmacist and donate to NAMI to continue these no-cost programs.

If you are shopping, please thank your local pharmacist at:

Jewel-Osco @ 1307 N 2nd St, Clinton, IA

Jewel-Osco @ 107 Avenue Of The Cities, East Moline, IL

Jewel-Osco @ 2010 1st St A, Moline, IL

Jewel-Osco @1312 John Deere Expy, Silvis, IL

Posted in Advocacy, fundraisingTagged , , ,

New Partners in Henry County Illinois

Posted on by Angela Gallagher

Thanks to 2020 grants from the Henry County Mental Health 708 Board and the Henry County Mental Health Alliance, NAMI will bring its first class to Kewanee, Illinois in April 2020. NAMI Family-to-Family educates family members and significant others supporting an adult loved one living with a mental health condition. Learn more here. 

Posted in EducationTagged , , , ,

Muscatine County Expansion

Posted on by Angela Gallagher

NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley is pleased to announce it is expanding its education and support programs into Muscatine County. A three-year commitment from the Muscatine Health Support Granting Fund has kick-started this effort.

In partnership with the Muscatine Department of Public Health and Trinity Muscatine, NAMI will bring programming for family and caregivers supporting adults and youth living with a mental health condition. Initially, this partnership will work on early detection and treatment, and suicide prevention for youth.

Now Enrolling for these Free NAMI Programs

Family & Friends Seminar – February 10 @ 5:30 p.m. @ Musser Public Library

Open to the public, this is a 90-minute seminar that informs people who have loved ones with a mental health condition how to best support them. It’s also an opportunity to meet other people in similar situations and gain community support. Please pre-register online or call our office at 563-386-7477 Ext. 266 (M-F 10:00 am -2:00 pm). Musser Public Library is located at 408 E. 2nd Street, Room 301, Muscatine.

Family-to-Family Education Starts February 18

Who should attend: Family members and caregivers supporting a loved one over the age of 18 who lives with a mental health condition. Conditions covered are: Depression, Bi-Polar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Panic & Anxiety Disorder, Post Traumatic Disorder, Co-Occurring Disorders, and Borderline Personality Disorder.
 
This 8-week education program is offered at no cost to participants and is nationally developed and federal agency approved.
 
This program will run on Tuesday evenings beginning February 18th through April 7th 6:00-8:30 p.m. Registration is open until February 25th (class 2). To register please call: Muscatine Community College at: 563-366-3444, Course # 9088. For further questions, call our NAMI office at 563-386-7477-x 266 (M-F 10-2). During registration one of the co instructors will contact each registrant for a phone conversation 1-2 weeks before the program begins.
Posted in Education, Outreach

Now Enrolling Online Program for Service Member Families

Posted on by Angela Gallagher
Online Course for Service Member Families Starts January 29
NAMI Homefront Logo
NAMI Homefront is a free, 6-session program for family, friends and significant others of military Service Members and Veterans. The class helps families understand what the Service Member/ Veteran is experiencing related to trauma, combat stress, civilian life transition, PTSD and other mental health conditions. Free. Confidential.
These online sessions fill quickly. Learn more:  https://www.namigmv.org/find-support/nami-homefront/  

Posted in Education

DIY Paint Parties

Posted on by Angela Gallagher

A logo saying Colorful Minds

Paint with NAMI, build awareness and end stigma.

Make the choice to paint with us and have some fun. You can paint with a group or on your own. Host a paint party and invite family and friends to join you – share the results live on social media.

The challenge is to raise $100 for every painter. NAMI supporters are raising funds through June 31.

Register Your Paint Party for FREE today and we’ll set up a private party page online for you! REGISTER HERE

Questions? Contact Caroline Vernon, coordinator@namigmv.org or 563-386-7477 Ext. 266 (M-F 10-2).

The NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley Colorful Minds is a great way to:

  • Have fun while supporting a great cause
  • Share your passion for mental health awareness with your friends, neighbors, and colleagues
  • Raise funds and recruit members and donors that will enable NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley to continue its effective peer-led programs

Step One: Select a date, time and location. We suggest that you select a date at least three weeks out from the time you decide to give the party. Also, try to consider the day of the week and the time that will give you the best turnout, depending on your audience. Reach out to us if you need help finding a location for your paint party.

Step Two: Create your guest list. Make a list of family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, acquaintances, and members of your faith-based, civic, or professional groups.  We suggest about thirty people, but this is your party, so you decide how many to invite!  We will help you create a website page – then ask each person to register, join your fundraising team page and commit to raising $100.

Step Three: Send out your invitations. Sites like evite.com or paperlesspost.com offer free invites for you to use. Depending on your audience you may decide to send these via mail.

Step Four: Party Time! Make the party fun – you can provide food and refreshments or potluck. Someone should share their story/connection before the painting fun begins. Remember to give updates on your fundraising efforts throughout the night. Prizes can be given for the best painting, the worst party… keep it fun!

 Step Five: Send a thank you to all guests who attended to your party, as well as following up with those who indicated interest in supporting or learning more about NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley.

NAMI DIY Fundraising logo

Posted in Advocacy, fundraisingTagged ,

Annual Meeting

Posted on by Angela Gallagher

Register Here.

Join us at 5:30 for networking and hors d’oeuvres.  Presentation begins at 6 p.m.

This event is free to current NAMI members.

Join for as little as $5 Open Door membership and attend at no charge. Join or Renew Here.

NAMI Connections Support Group Sponsors Peer Panel Presentation

Learn about new services available to individuals living with a mental health condition. There have been many improvements in the amount and type of services available in eastern Iowa and western Illinois. Peer representatives from Robert Young Center, Transitions Mental Health Services, Vera French and Life Connections will discuss the history, current trends, and needed future improvements for peer services. Each organization will also have an exhibit table so that you can speak with representatives one-on-one.

Annual Board Business

We will honor outgoing board members Laurie Edge, AAA Contracting; Larry Pollard, Rock Island County Mental Health 708 Board; Denise Beenk, Vera French CMHC; and Elesha Gayman, Habitat for Humanity.

Affirming new board members:

  • Incoming board president Terry Haru, PhD, retired compliance executive, Heritage Behavioral Health, Decatur
  • Cynthia Green, LCPC, Therapist, Southpark Psychology
  • Laura Hill, LISW, Adult Therapist, Vera French CMHC
  • Tim Lohse, Vice President, Postal Source
  • Paul Phares, MS, Director of Community Support & Care Coordination, UnityPoint Health Robert Young Center
  • Kristina Voyna, MBA, Global Region 4 Learning Manager, John Deere
Posted in MembersTagged ,

Birdies

Posted on by Angela Gallagher

A bird swinging a golf club

Thank you for your Birdies Pledge!  Pledge Here

You know the statistics. Half of all lifetime mental health conditions begin by age 14 and 75% by age 24. Early intervention programs can help.

And that’s where NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley comes in.

NAMI volunteers pay it forward when others are looking for help and hope. Our trained volunteers have lived experience with mental health conditions. They deliver education and support programs that are nationally developed and federal-agency approved.

NAMI programs are clinically designed to move the entire family toward recovery. We know that a loved one’s recovery starts at home with a strong support structure. Participants learn how to cope, communicate, and effectively advocate for themselves or a loved one.

Your investment in NAMI programs is magnified as we partner with healthcare, social work and education providers. NAMI programs are unduplicated and fit well within the care delivery system available in our community. All programs are offered at no cost thanks to supporters like you.

Your investment today will guarantee a 5% match through Birdies for Charity™ with Pledge #1270.

 

Posted in Advocacy, fundraisingTagged