The event raised awareness for the nonprofit’s programs
Passionate mental health advocates Elizabeth Star, Jenny Sutton, Jackie Cronacher, Sandy Denny and Lindy Thomas invited guests to hear about the programs and financial needs of the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) Collier County Feb. 25 at the Naples Yacht Club.
The event was planned to generate awareness about the organization and the families it supports, as well as raise money through the Hope Shines campaign to fund no-cost programs that help people navigate a mental health diagnosis. The campaign started five months ago to help fund and expand programming and the number of people served. To date, the campaign has raised $304,000 with a goal of $1 million. Additional fundraisers in the campaign include the Hope Shines annual mental health awareness walk May 6 and the Hope Shines luncheon with actor Richard Dreyfuss planned Dec. 1.
At the February event, NAMI Collier CEO Beth Hatch revealed that NAMI will move all programs into one building, the former Naples Senior Center building at 5025 Castello Drive in Naples. The move will take place in March and the building will be open April 3. Those interested in touring the space may email info@NAMICollier.org to request a tour starting in April.
NAMI Collier County programs include a statewide WarmLine for peer support; the Sarah Ann Drop-In Center, where persons with a diagnosis may visit five days a week with classes, support groups, daily activities, lunches and outings; Self-Directed Care; Peer Support programs, supportive housing, outreach, education and support groups. The HUGS (Health Under Guided Systems) program has System Navigators who provide community-based mental health screenings and early identification of Collier County children who have current, or potential for, developing behavioral health problems to connect them to resources.
