Thanks to everyone who came to our St. Paddy’s Potluck last Friday! We had a great turnout, Irish music and lots of yummy (and some green) food. The decorations were fantastic with a pot of shamrocks on each table. Thanks to Paulette and Judy for all their hard work and planning.

Next potluck — Cruise theme. So get your Gilligan or Love Boat on and we’ll see you there. Friday, June 15, 2012 at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, 789 Merrimon Avenue @ Gracelyn Avenue, Asheville. For more info call Paulette 828-581-0080 or Judy 828-772-1745.

We’d love to have you volunteer to help plan these potlucks!

Asheville is THIRD in the nation for hunger among its population. This is a shameful distinction for our beautiful mountain home.

NAMI WC, in collaboration with Western Highlands Network and MANNA FOOD BANK, will be holding a food drive thru March 20. Please bring non-perishable food items to our office at 356 Biltmore Avenue, Suite 207.  A box has been placed outside our door. You may also write a check to MANNA FOOD BANK (envelopes provided) and bring it into our office or slip it under the door if we are closed. OR you can write a check directly to MANNA FOOD BANK, 627 Swannanoa River Road, Asheville, NC 28805.

All donations will be taken in person to MANNA. Please help us help each other.  Thank you!

As part of NAMI’s FaithNet Program, Mountain Faith Initiatives presents: A TIME TO COME TOGETHER

Gatherings with Craig Rennebohm about ministry to the homeless and those living with mental illness

Saturday, March 3 – 5pm -7pm – Asheville Meet & Greet, NAMI Office, 356 Biltmore Avenue

Sunday, March 4 – 10:10 am – Adult Forum: The Way of Companionship, All Souls Cathedral, Zabriskie Hall, 9 Swan Street in Biltmore Village, Asheville

Sunday, March 4 – 2pm – 4 pm – Resources for Mental Health Ministry: The Pathways National Training Initiative, NAMI Office, 356 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville

Sunday, March 4 – 6 – 8 pm - Hendersonville County Meet & Greet – Grace Lutheran Church, 1245 Sixth Avenue West, Hendersonville

Monday, March 5 – 8am – 9:30am – Pastors’ Breakfast - Cornerstone Church, 12 S. French Broad, Asheville

Monday, March 5 – 10am – Noon – Housing and Where Communities of Faith Can be Helpful - ABCCM-ACTS Building – 1401 Tunnel Road, Asheville

Monday, March 5 – 5:30pm – 7pm – Companionship: Practical Steps in Building Caring Congregations and Compassionate Communities, NAMI Office, 356 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville

For more information, contact mountainfaithinitiatives@yahoo.com.

The Charles George VAMC in Asheville will offer the free NAMI Family-to-Family (F2F) education and support class for families/caregivers of an individual with a severe mental illness from 6 to 8:30 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, April 17 – May 24, 2012.

The class results through an agreement between the Veterans Health Administration and the National Alliance on Mental Illness on the value of this peer-to-peer education.  Veterans’ families will have priority in enrolling.  The 12 sessions include current facts about mental illnesses, treatment, medications, communication skills, problem solving, advocacy, recovery and self-care.

More than 250,000 family members across the country have graduated from NAMI F2F.  NAMI Western Carolina co-sponsors this program as part of its mission to improve the lives of those affected by mental illness through advocacy, support and education.

Because the class size is limited, early registration is required.  For information, call 828-299-9596 or email rohaus@charter.net.

Changes coming up at NAMI WC!

Beginning on February 21, our support groups on the THIRD TUESDAY OF THE MONTH for both consumers (those with a mental health diagnosis) and family members/caregivers from 6 – 7:30 pm (groups held separately) will no longer be followed by an education program.

Beginning on Tuesday, March 6 we will have an education program/general meeting only on the FIRST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH from 6 – 7 pm.

The new ongoing schedule will be:

Third Tuesday, Feb. 21 – 6pm – 7:30 pm – Support groups only

First Tuesday, March 6 – 6pm – 7 pm – Education program/general meeting only. Speaker: Sara Cranford of Our Voice on domestic violence and sexual trauma

Third Tuesday, March 20 – 6pm-7:30 pm – Support groups only

First Tuesday, April 3 – 6pm – 7 pm – Education program/general meeting only. Speaker: Leslie Gaidi, M.A., LP on housing in the Asheville/Buncombe area

Third Tuesday, April 17 – 6pm – 7:30 pm – Support groups only

And so on………………

ALL OTHER SUPPORT GROUP SCHEDULES REMAIN THE SAME:

First Saturday of each month 10 am – 11:30 pm – Consumer and family/caregiver support groups

Second and fourth Mondays 11 am – 12:30 pm – Consumer only support group

All groups and meetings are held at 356 Biltmore Avenue, Suite 207, second floor. We are located next to the St. Joseph Hospital campus of Mission Hospital. Please call 828-505-7353 or email us at namiwnc@yahoo.com if you have questions.

The full support group schedule through June appears on our website support group page.