The calendar says it is December and we are ready to celebrate winter at the NAMI Central Iowa Mental Health Wellness Center! Our December calendar is inside this newsletter along with other great information, updates, events and news.
NAMI CENTRAL IOWA is thrilled to announce that growth is happening because of passion from our peers, volunteers, donors, board and staff!
424 5th Street, Ames is now entirely the NAMI Central Iowa Wellness Center
The Wellness Center is now open Monday through Friday 10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Occassional weekend and evening activities are available as well
JD Deambra is our Wellness Center Coordinator
We provide rides to and from the Wellness Center
Call 515-292-9400 24 hours in advance for a ride
426 5th Street, #201, Ames is now the NAMI Central Iowa Administrative Offices
This is literally on the north side of the Wellness Center! (The prior Ameriprise Financial offices)
SOON a door will be placed in the wall between 424 and 426 and the two spaces will be connected
You can find our Executive Director, our Program Director and our Community Impact Manager here
We have a conference room in this location for support groups and educational classes! That is why the Wellness Center will not need to close if a support group or another meeting is happening
123 1st Avenue SW, Hampton has an office for our northern expansion
CICS in Hampton has provided an office for our Family & Peer Liaison, Angela Albers to meet with people
NAMI Central Iowa now provides service to 3 additional northern Iowa counties of Webster, Wright and Hancock
NAMI Central Iowa is partnering with the Iowa Tattoo Company to raise funds for NAMI Central Iowa. Funds raised will stay local, directly providing our signature programs free of charge right here in our 15 county region throughout Central Iowa. One of our signature programs is Ending The Silence. This program is a suicide prevention program designed for middle schools and high schools. For about the price of a fast food value meal, NAMI Central Iowa can put suicide prevention information, including a t-shirt, into the hands of a middle school or high school student. Stand in solidarity with NAMI Central Iowa, The Iowa Tattoo Company, survivors of attempted suicided, survivors of a loved ones suicide, and all who support mental health awareness.
Location 1
Stop in NAMI Central Iowa December 5th-12th to make a donation ( $60 suggested, any amount welcomed) and receive a temporary semicolon tattoo to show your support. Hashtag #solidaritywithnamici on social media with your tattoo photos. All participating tattoo studios will have temporary tattoos for a donation available as well.
Location 2
The Asylum in Ames Iowa will have “1.5 X “1.5 semicolon tattoos for your arm or leg available on a walk in basis December 5th from 12 to 5 pm. Donations to receive a permanent tattoo are $60 cash only, with $40 directly benefitting NAMI Central Iowa.
Location 3
Sovereign Tattoo In Johnston Iowa will be participating December 12th from 12 to 5 pm and will have 1.5″X 1.5″ semicolon tattoos for your arm or leg available on a walk in basis. Donations to receive a permanent tattoo are $60 cash only, with $40 directly benefitting NAMI Central Iowa.
“I placed a small ½” semicolon on the inside of my right wrist in memory of my son who died by suicide due to complications of his mental illness. I also wear the semicolon to share my own journey with mental illness. When we use our voice to share our stories, to share truth, to share hope … the stigma about mental illness and suicide lose its power.”
This Thursday, December 9th, from 6:30-8:30 pm quarter bingo is happening at NAMI Central Iowa. Each card is .25 cents and jack pots range from 5-15$. Bring a friend and keep warm at NAMI CI, open late Thursday December 9th until 9pm.
Join NAMI Central Iowa December 23rd at 4pm to celebrate this season! We invite all past and present peers to attend and share in the joy of coming together, a true treat this year! Festivities will conclude about 6pm, come out and meet a member of the Clause family visiting from the north pole, HO HO HO!
NAMI Central Iowa is taking peers in TWO trips December 17th& 18th to Des Moines to see the Jolly Holiday Lights! We are still needing volunteer drivers if you would like to go see the lights and drive some of our peers in our van, please follow the link above to volunteer. We will be eating at IHOP as well, because what is better than pancakes and Christmas lights?! Please sign up in the Wellness Center or email us so we can hold your spot if you are a peer wanting to attend.
14 plain, boring office doors are calling out to be festivly decorated!
If you would like to decorate one of our doors . . . let us know ASAP!
Not only will you brighten the doors, you will brighten our spirits at NAMI Central Iowa.
The NAMI CI Newsletter is e-published monthly by Program Director, McKenzie Alvarado Lopez of NAMI Central Iowa. Please share our Newsletters with others! NAMI-CI is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness. Our mission is to provide them with support, education, and advocacy. NAMI Central Iowa is a self-sustaining affiliate. Revenue is generated through our generous donors, funders and grants available. NAMI CI does NOT receive any funding from NAMI Iowa (Des Moines) or the national NAMI (Arlington, VA). NAMI CI is a United Way partner agency, and received funding this fiscal year from the following organizations: CICS, ISU Student Government, City of Ames, Capstone Behavioral Health, Golden K Kiwanis, Sigler Employee Association, SignCraft, Peoples Company, United Church of Christ Congregational, CrossRoads Baptist Church, BPO Sorority, Gilbert Lultheran Church, Trinity Christian Reformed Church, Boone Valley Coon Hunters Association, Mary Greeley Medical Center, Stark Smiles, PH Clean, Mary Greeley Medical Center, Zyia Independent Consultant, Heidi Bills, ISU Police, Kohl's Cares, St. Ceclia Catholic Church, Amazon Smile Foundation, and other annoymous organizations.Charitible giving from employees of: VanDiest Medical Center, Wells Fargo, Business Solver, United Way of Central Iowa designated gifts, United Way of Story County designated gifts, and other employees.
To make changes to your contact information, to receive your newsletter by email/mail, or if you no longer wish to receive the NAMI CI newsletter, email or phone the NAMI CI office at namiofci@gmail.com or 515-292-9400. NAMI Central Iowa is a charity registered with Amazon Smile. NAMI Central Iowa has an Educational Endowment set up with the Story County Community Foundation.
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