NAMI Marion County E-Newsletter
Volume 1 Issue 6
July, 2018
This is a group photo of the people who joined us at the picnic. Some had already left and some had not yet arrived so it's not complete.

Thank you to our Board members and others who joined us at this event.

Become a member and you'll be invited too!
NAMI Marion County -
Picnic for members at
Rainbow Lakes State Park!

There was an abundance of food, friends and fun at the June 9th NAMI Marion County summer event at Rainbow Lakes State Park. Some of the members braved the cool water to swim, many played cards and dominoes, others caught up with friends, and EVERYONE ate great food and had a great time. NAMI Marion provided the main courses of fried chicken and pulled pork and the members brought the additions.

This is just one more benefit we can offer our local members.
NAMI Marion County, P.O. Box 5753, Ocala, Florida 34478-5753
(352) 368-2405
NAMI MARION COUNTY APPRECIATES THE SUPPORT OF:
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"A lot of people are living with mental illness around them. Either you love one or you are one." (Mark Ruffalo)
NAMI Marion County is proud to be one of the programs used by the Diversion Court Program to help participants. There are NAMI members present at the Veterans' Court and Mental Health Court. Dorothy Conway Comeau is our Veterans Court representative, Presiding Judge James McCune presented her with the Veterans' Court official pin to thank her for her help and loyalty.
Circuit 5 Judicial System Diversion Court Programs

The goal of diversion programs is to allow a defendant time to demonstrate that they are capable of behaving responsibly, and they are typically used for drug offenses or first-time offenders. Normally, the conditions imposed include some form of counseling, community service and/or probation, and require the defendant to stay out of trouble. Many participants attend NAMI Marion County Peer-to-Peer Education classes and Connection Recovery Support groups. Their families are invited to attend our Family Support Group meetings.
Introducing NAMI FaithNet!
NAMI Marion County was approved for NAMI FaithNet funding.

NAMI FaithNet strives to encourage welcoming, caring congregations as well as to promote the vital role of spirituality in the recovery journeys of many who live with mental health conditions, those for whom faith is a key component.
We will be working closely with the faith-based community in Marion County. For more information, go to:
https://www.nami.org/NAMIFaithnet
We need volunteers!

With new programs starting and existing programs in progress, we need help - NOW! All volunteers must be NAMI members. Immediate needs are for the NAMI in the Lobby and NAMI Mental Wellness Now programs. We also need leaders for NAMI support groups: Family Support and Peer Connection Recovery. Leaders for our education classes Peer-to-Peer and Family-to-Family are also needed. There are prerequisites and in-depth training required for support group and education class leaders. However, the other volunteer positions primarily require a two-hour orientation only. We could use a desktop wizard to help with this newsletter, assist with social media, staff booths at outreach events, give fundraising assistance, help us develop our new strategic plan...and it would be great to have a Volunteer Coordinator....the list goes on. If you want to help people whose lives have been affected by mental illness, please join us and VOLUNTEER!

Visit our website at www.namiocala.org, click on "Services" and "Volunteer" to fill out the online form...or
call (352) 236-0483 for additional information.
  • Donate money
  • Donate a brick
  • Donate a car
  • Donate a building
Help us help our community today!
In addition to donating funds to help us continue our services and programs, there are several other ways you can donate to NAMI. You can donate in memoriam to someone dear to you. A brick can be embossed with the wording of your choice and placed at The Centers. A Granite Recognition slab can include a logo or artwork making this a special way to show your support. Memorial benches are available with a brass plaque for your special engraving requests. Ask for more information and pricing or visit our website at www.namiocala.org (click on Donate).
VISIT THE "NAMI MARION COUNTY" FACEBOOK PAGE AND "LIKE" US!

We will keep you up-to-date on services, education and support groups. Stay up-to-date on our efforts to remove the stigma from mental illness and about advocacy efforts in Tallahassee and Washington, D.C.
Visit our website! We have been making many changes to make it more informative and dynamic.

Advocacy information is updated regularly to keep up with current events. We now have an "In the News" section that addresses subjects such as NAMI's stance on separation of families and school shootings. Use it to join, renew, donate or become a volunteer. Check it out! www.namiocala.org
BECOME A NAMI MARION COUNTY MEMBER!  Why join NAMI? People will listen. The voices of NAMI members strengthen the organization’s impact with local, state and national leaders and legislators to spread awareness, shape legislation and remove stigma. You will be subscribed to the NAMI Advocate magazine and have access to online members only information. Invite your family and friends to join.

Membership fees are $40 individual, $60 household, or open door membership is $5. Visit our website to keep up-to-date on NAMi services and activities, and to join, update or renew your membership at www.namiocala.org 
NAMI SUPPORT GROUPS
Support groups are free, confidential, respectful and supportive.
No registration is necessary for support groups.
 
The Connection Recovery Support Group is a free, peer-led support group for adults living with mental illness. It meets at First United Methodist Church on the first and third Tuesday of every month at 2 p.m. in the Old Fellowship Hall on the northwest side of the campus (downstairs).
 
The NAMI Family Support Group meet every first and third Tuesday of the month at First United Methodist Church of Ocala, Room #31, 1126 E. Silver Springs Blvd, at 7:00 p.m. in Building G.
 
There is another NAMI Family Support Group in Lady Lake. They meet on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in St. Timothy's RC Church Hall, Room #7, 1351 Paige Place.

Coming Soon!
Family-to-Family Education Class. A new concept in education for families of loved ones who are affected by mental illness. Registration is required. For more information, contact us at www.namiocala.org
Help for families of Military Veterans:
NAMI Homefront

NAMI Homefront is a free, online six-session class for family, friends and significant others of Military Service Members and Veterans. It helps families comprehend what the Military Service Member/Veteran is experiencing.

USE THE FOLLOWING LINK TO REGISTER*
  *All participants are screened to ensure this class is appropriate for their needs.