2021 PhilanthropyNational Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)This year we will be working with NAMI as our philanthropy recipient. NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. What started as a small group of families gathered around a kitchen table in 1979 has blossomed into the nation's leading voice on mental health. Today, they are an alliance of more than 600 local Affiliates and 48 State Organizations who work in your community to raise awareness and provide support and education that was not previously available to those in need. The mission of NAMI is to provide advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives. NAMI envisions a world where all people affected by mental illness live healthy, fulfilling lives supported by a community that cares. NAMI Presentation Be sure to join us on Monday, November 9th, at 9:00am to learn more about NAMI. Leslie Carpenter serves on the NAMI Johnson County Board of Directors and as a member of the Advocacy & Outreach Committee. She also teaches three of NAMI’s signature programs: Family to Family, Provider Training, and Ending the Silence. Leslie is an advocate for improving the treatment of people with serious brain illnesses in Iowa and across the United States. She believes that treating those with serious brain illnesses in a comprehensive and thorough manner leads to improved outcomes. To improve access to care for people with all levels and acuities of brain illnesses, a continuum of treatment levels and care facilities is needed in settings that are appropriate at a given point in time. Leslie practiced as a Physical Therapist for 34 years, and then retired early to have more time to advocate. She also serves as an Adjunct Associate in the Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science Graduate Programs at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. Fundraising Unfortunately, COVID-19 has forced us to change the way we traditionally raise money or other goods for our philanthropy organization. This year we will not be able to hold the traditional raffle that has been a part of our conference for so many years. Instead, we are asking both institutions and individuals to consider making a monetary donation directly to NAMI via our fundraising page on their website. Donating to NAMI through this page is easy, fast, and secure. Thank you so much for your support! |