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.

The board of NAMI Western Carolina has decided that rather than holding a WALK at the same time as the NAMIWalks in Raleigh to be held on May 5 at Dorothea Dix Hospital, that we will hold a separate WALK or other fundraising event in the fall.There are several reasons for breaking with this two-year tradition. The main one is that there are so many other events being held in Asheville on that day that it is difficult to get a good location. Competition with other organizations who also hold their fundraisers on that day means that the number of people able to attend ours is lower. In 2011, for example, there were five other events being held at the same time as ours at Carrier Park.

Work is now being done to secure a location and to decide on the focus of our fundraiser. A circus/carnival theme has been suggested with a WALK and consumer art exhibit as a part of that. It has been pointed out, however, that a circus theme could be difficult to pull off because of a shortage of elephants in the Asheville/Buncombe area! Well, that will be part of the discussion! We do know that there are many talented artists here and we would like to give them a spotlight to show their work. If you have any ideas for a fundraising event, please let us know! We want your input!

Some of you may be receiving invitations to attend the WALK in Raleigh, and there is no date conflict with our event.

We are sorry to have learned of the death of two of our dearest members.

Harriett Davis Penny, 88, who died September 2, 2011 in Canton, was among the 13 charter members who organized The Western Carolina Alliance for the Mentally Ill on March 2, 1985 in Asheville.  On February 2, 1987, the Alliance was chartered as Western North Carolina Alliance for the Mentally Ill, Inc.   The title later changed to NAMI Western Carolina, Inc.

Doris Bell Goewey, 88, of Arden and formerly of Austin TX, died December 5, 2011.  She had served as a U.S.Navy Lieutenant, taught elementary school, was an accomplished artist and served on many non-profit boards including NAMI Austin, Texas where she taught NAMI Family-to-Family.  Survivors include her daughter, Susanna and son-in-law, Andrew Euston of Arden and son, Andrew Goewey of Sanford, Fl.

Donations to NAMI Western Carolina have been made in their memories.

On January 16 at 6 pm, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of Asheville & Buncombe County, Inc. will hold a Candlelight Ceremony at Nazareth First Baptist Church, 146 Pine Street at Martin Luther King Boulevard in Asheville.

This will be an annual recognition of individuals who exemplify the spirit of Dr. King by giving unselfishly of themselves for the betterment of the community and others. Dr. Jim Pitts, former president of NAMI North Carolina and NAMI Western Carolina, Family to Family teacher and current ex officio on our WC board of directors,  has been nominated to receive an award.

Please join the community in this celebration. For more information, please call Karen Cowan at 828-768-8599 or Oralene Simmons at 828-281-1624.

The nationally recognized NAMI Peer to Peer course will be offered in Franklin beginning Tuesday, March 13, 7-9p.m. This is a 10 week course designed for adults living with mental illness such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD and others. It is taught by trained NAMI peer mentors in a relaxed, confidential setting. There is no charge but pre-registration is required. Class size is limited. For more information and to register contact Cindy (828) 524-0468 or Hank (828) 369-3490.