In This Issue

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Jim Woodard

NAMIWalks

Saturday, October 9, 2010

SAYING GOODBYE Leah Bullington

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Bragging on Our Board

HAPPY HOLIDAYS To You From All of US

FAMILY TO FAMILY

Education Program

CARING AND SHARING Family Support Group

HOT SUMMER FUN

Thanks to Mr. Howard Moreaux

FALL 2009

OUR MISSION: NAMI New Orleans

offers hope, help and healing to people with mental illness and to those who share their lives - through family support, education and advocacy, and quality psychosocial services.

Our work helps individuals live with

dignity and independence within the community,

enriching all of our lives.

NEW ORLEANS’ VOICE ON MENTAL ILLNESS

NAMI New Orleans

News Visit our website at :

www.namineworleans.org

We are NAMI New Orleans and We ARE Making a Difference

In the field of community mental health services, one way to measure the efficacy of services is by looking at recidivism rates which indicate the number of hospitalizations during a given period of time. NAMI New Orleans recently compiled statistics on all of our programs during the last fiscal year which ended June 30th. What we found is ex-tremely gratifying and noteworthy and we are very excited to share our findings with you. During the period July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2009, we served 707 individuals in a variety of programs which include case management, assisted and independent living, transitional services, assertive community outreach, consumer drop-in centers, Medicaid mental health rehabilitation and others. We determined that out of the total 707 individual consumers who participated in our programs, 602 did not require psychiatric hospitaliza-tion! This means that there was a 15% recidivism rate, which translates to an 85% suc-cessful delivery of services. A National Survey conducted by NAMI National in 2005 indicated a 48% recidivism rate which is three times higher than we are reporting. We are very happy to report that we are in fact making a difference in our community.

Most businesses will tell you that you are as good as your staff. Well, NAMI New Orleans is GREAT! Our staff are our most important resource. Their hard work and dedication help ensure that we are able to provide the best services available in the community.. We cur-rently have a wonderful staff of over 44 dedicated and diverse individuals. Recently, we recognized some of our best who have been with NAMI for over 10 years! They are: seated - Ann Bettencourt, 19 yrs.; Bea Piker,

27 yrs.; Lisa Romback, 17 yrs.; Grace Thompson, 18 yrs.; Angie Bellanger, 13 yrs.; Glo-ria Monroe, 10 yrs.; Melissa Cosenza, 15 yrs.; Sergio Alvarez, 11 yrs.; Deanna Lainez, 16 yrs.; Ally Dever, 14 yrs.; Susan Cart, 12 yrs.; and Gloria Bergeron, (not present) 11 yrs. Thank you for making a difference in so many lives. As we acknowledge the dedication and accomplishments of our staff, we also look to our programs. As we are all aware, the economic climate has been a bit uncertain, however, we are proud to report that we were able to renew all but one of our contracts which was a supportive housing contract with MHSD. We are now well into our new fiscal year and feeling confident in our direction. We have come together agency wide with a concerted effort to diligently pursue simple yet innovative ways to keep our operat-ing costs low and the staff has had interesting ideas in the process. Barring any unforeseen funding adjustments, we anticipate a productive and successful year. Yes, we are NAMI New Orleans and we are making a difference!

Friends of NAMI New Orleans, Once again we approach the end of a year. 2009 has been unique in a number of ways in all of our lives. For NAMI New Orleans, 2009 saw con-tinued improvements of facilities, a tremendous response from the staff to adapt to changing eco-nomic constraints, a commitment by the Board to

schedule our first NAMI Walk in October 2010, a renewal of Orange Day advocacy efforts at the State Capitol, and many other significant activities. However, all of those activities and efforts are fruitless if they are not directly focused on that incredible group of consumers who benefit from the services provided at NAMI New Orleans. I am constantly impressed at the level of participation I see from our con-sumers as I visit our facilities. I also notice a special care that each person shows for others, not only in the relationships between the consumers, but in the care and response by the staff. I would give credit to our Executive Director, Ms. Bea Piker for her tireless efforts to encourage and lead, as well as the wonderful attitude that guides our daily activities. 2010, however, will be a year of great challenges for NAMI New Orleans. The economics of our State and Nation show no signs of quick improvement. That means that our funding sources will continually be pressured to cut us back or demand more service for less money. There will surely be frustrations in the process but we move forward with a staff that is highly motivated and dedicated to the task at hand. The Board is also focused and ready to face the challenge. The component that can make the difference though, is YOU! As we step into 2010, we encourage local membership and participation by every friend of NAMI New Orleans. Included in this newsletter you will find a membership application. Would you take the time to fill it out and send it in with your membership dues? That will accomplish two things. First, “every little bit helps” and second, your support as a dues paying member will encourage those that have already made an investment of time, talent, and resources. You can support NAMI New Orleans with the full assur-ance that your investment is in wonderful people, gracious people, deserving people. Thank you for your support and may you have a Blessed and Happy 2010. Jim Woodard President, NAMI New Orleans

Message from the President...

NAMI New Orleans Says Goodbye

It is with deep sadness that we, at NAMI New Orleans, say goodbye to

a long time friend and Board Member Leah Bullington

who passed away in August at age 89. Leah was a champion for our cause and will be deeply missed by all.

GREAT NEWS!!! NAMI New Orleans is SELECTED!

In our Spring newsletter, we informed our readers that we submitted a proposal to National NAMI for consideration to host a NAMI Walk in New Orleans. Well, we are thrilled to report that we have been selected as one of the four new sites nationwide to host a NAMI Walk during 2010! Needless to say, we rolled up our sleeves and got straight to work. We have met with a national NAMI Walks representative and have begun planning for next year. Audubon Park has been reserved as the site and we have a confirmed date of Saturday, October 9th, 2010. To keep abreast of our plans and progress you can check out the NAMI Walks website at www.nami.org/namiwalks (click on LA on the U.S. map) . We have started posting information about our Walk and will continue to update as we progress. Please tell your family, friends and co-workers to mark their calendars and plan to join us for our NAMI Walk so that together we can bring much needed attention to mental illness. We will have much more info in next Bonjour.

NAMI New Orleans Brags on Our Board We at NAMI New Orleans feel so fortunate to have a truly dedicated Board of Directors. Our Board encompasses a diverse group of family members, business professionals and community leaders. What makes this Board so special is that they are hands-on. They actively participate at meetings and ask to hear directly from the individuals who use our services on a daily basis. They intently listen to their stories about their unending challenges, how NAMI New Orleans has made a dif-ference in their lives and also how we can continue to improve our services. We just wanted to take this opportunity to say Thank You!

Program Director Lisa Romback and consumers address the Board of Directors

Board Meeting

T H A N K Y O U

Pastor Jim

Caring and Sharing Family Support Groups

The first Wednesday of each month

6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Uptown Friendship Club 1538 Louisiana Avenue

NAMI New Orleans offers support to families of persons with

mental illness at no charge. Gain knowledge and confidence in dealing with a loved one’s mental illness...you’re not alone.

Contact : Anne Heard 504-460-4863

or Holley Pavy 504-214-5653

HOT SUMMER FUN WAS HAD BY ALL

NAMI New Orleans members and staff want to say THANK YOU to Mr. Howard Moreaux for offering his beautiful home on Lake Pontchartrain to everyone. We swam in the Olympic sized pool by the lake, tried our luck with some fishing on his pier (even caught a stingray), ate delicious food, sipped cool refreshing punch under the cabana, and enjoyed a relaxing summer afternoon on the lake.

We all shared a wonderful day of friendship and fun….and we can not wait to return!

FAMILY TO FAMILY Education Program

Happy Holidays to You and Yours Soon the air will be filled with the sights and sounds of the

Holiday Season. It is such a magical time of year. Loved ones gather around the fire and sing their favorite Christmas carols

as the aroma of fresh baked ginger bread fills the air. It’s a time to be with those we hold dear to us.

It is a time of peace and love. A time of giving to those less fortunate. Please remember NAMI New Orleans this Holiday Season

The Family to Family Education Program is a free, 12 week course for family caregivers of individuals with severe mental illnesses. The course is taught by trained family members and provides: current information on the major mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and others; informa-tion about medications; strategies for handling crises and relapse; and most of all, it will help you learn to cope successfully with a major challenge in your life, and that, in turn will help your mentally ill loved one work toward recovery.

The course will start in January, 2010. If you would like to attend, please give us a call at

504-896-2345 or call Anne Heard at 504-460-4863

1538 Louisiana Avenue New Orleans, LA 70115

Visit our website at : www.namineworleans.org

Join Today! Make a Difference

NAME _______________________________________ ADDRESS ____________________________________ ____________________________________ PHONE ______________________________________ E-MAIL______________________________________ Make checks payable and mail to: NAMI New Orleans 1538 Louisiana Avenue New Orleans, LA 70115

___ INDIVIDUAL $35 ___ FAMILY $50 ___ CORPORATE $100 ___ LIFETIME $500 Please accept my donation of

$ ___________________

Membership

support a walker

HAPPY HOLIDAYS