5 Reasons to Support NAMI Washington County this Season of Giving
Happy December!
Whether you’re new to NAMI, or a long-time supporter, we are very grateful for you.
It’s thanks to you that we are able to provide all of our services to our community for FREE, at no cost.
Mental health support, education, and advocacy should be available to anyone whose life has been affected by mental health challenges, without worrying about how to pay for it.
We know you have so many options of amazing nonprofits to support, and we would be honored if you chose to support us during this season of giving.
Click the button below to donate now - or keep reading for 5 reasons you can feel good about supporting NAMI Washington County - whether you are able to donate, volunteer, or attend one of our support groups or community presentations!
So when you support NAMI Washington County, what are you actually supporting?
Really, it’s about WHO you’re supporting:
Our Employees and Volunteers
Everyone who works and volunteers at NAMI Washington County has been affected by mental health challenges, either their own, or a close family member's. Working with NAMI gives us a chance to use our own experiences to help others.
This means that when you come to our NAMI building in Aloha, or join a virtual support group, no matter what you’re struggling with, you are never alone.
2. Our peers
We have over 20 weekly support groups for people living with all kinds of mental health challenges, including anxiety, schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, and ADHD.
Each group is facilitated by a trained NAMI facilitator, who has their own lived experience relevant to the topic at hand.
3. Our community
Each month, we host a party at our NAMI Washington County building, usually involving karaoke and delicious food! We love providing a fun space for members of our community to connect. (See the flyer above for info about December’s party!)
We also go out into the community to share resources and break down the stigma around mental illness. One of our Peer Wellness Specialists, Kevin, regularly visits an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) at a local hospital, to speak with the participants about coping skills and how NAMI can support them as they finish the IOP. This helps these participants sustain what they’ve learned through the program, and continue to learn new skills to support their mental health.
4. Our kids
It is life-changing when kids grow up in a community that supports their mental health.
Through our Youth and Parent Program, we assist parents and youth in navigating mental health challenges, through presentations, workshops, support groups, and one-on-one support.
We are working with local school districts to plan events in different areas of Washington County. We’re coming to Forest Grove on January 13th for a Parenting and Mental Health workshop, where you can hear and learn from parents, youth, and Forest Grove School District mental health professionals.
5. Our schools
We know our teachers and school mental health professionals are already doing so much for our kids. So we’ve been asking each district about their specific needs, offering NAMI presentations and support to reduce their load wherever we can.
In November, we partnered with Trauma Recovery Coach Jill Anderson to speak to teachers in the Gaston School District about how to support students who may show signs of experiencing trauma. Stay tuned for more collaborations soon!
And this is all for FREE
NAMI Washington County is able to do this thanks to amazing volunteer support, grants from Washington County and other generous partners, and donations from people like you.
If you are able and interested in making a tax deductible donation to NAMI Washington County, a 501.c.3 Charitable Organization, all you have to do is click this link and then click the “Donate” button.
Or if you would like to donate your time, we are always looking for more volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering at our building, helping out at events, or facilitating a support group, click here to read about our volunteer opportunities and fill out an application.
And of course, we are always here for you if you or a loved one needs support.
You can call us at (503) 356-6835 or come see us at our building in Aloha, from 10am-6pm Monday-Thursday, and 10am-4pm on Friday!