Nami Illinois Inc

Statewide education and support services - the organization directly provides education and mental health support programs to a statewide audience, typically as collaborations with its affiliates and other partners. An annual statewide conference facilitates learning and collaboration among affiliates, volunteers, and any interested illinoisans. This conference consistently draws over 200 participants, attracts prominent national and statewide keynote speakers, and offers 24+ workshops that offer continuing education credits to a variety of professional fields. Sponsorships, gifts, and donated services enable the organization to offer discounted tickets to people living with mental illness, ensuring these important stakeholders have the same opportunities to learn and share ideas as any other illinoisan. The organization also collaborates with affiliates and other partners to provide virtual programming to a statewide audience, including virtual nami signature programs, informational webinars, and other activities of interest to a broad audience across illinois.

Affiliate support and coordination - the organization is the designated entity to prepare and certify volunteer trainers, facilitators, and teachers who deliver nami signature programs across the state of illinois. The organization delivers proprietary curricula and support services to volunteers from 21 local affiliates. In addition, the organization provides technical assistance, data collection, and other support to ensure local affiliates meet the highest standards of program quality and fiscal accountability. While direct service numbers were affected by covid-19, the organization catalyzed and/or supported the transition to virtual programming and other special activities to address mental health concerns related to the global pandemic.