NAMI PA Central Susquehanna Valley MIAW 2008 Activities
Columbia, Montour, Snyder, Union and Northumberland Counties

October 5th through the 11th, 2008

Alliance Gathers to Hand Out Awards
article courtesy The Daily Item

NORTHUMBERLAND — The Central SusquehannaValley Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness held it second annual dinner at Front Street Station on Oct. 7.

More than 150 people, families and friends affected by mental illness from Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties attended the dinner, along with mental health professioals and government officials.

Mickey McElroy, president of the area chapter, introduced James Jordan, state NAMI executive director, who addressed the importance of community support in promoting recovery from mental illness.

“Developing partnerships with other community organizations is important,” Jordan said. “It’s important to separate the illness from the person.” People don’t distinguish those with diabetes or heart disease from others, he said, nor should they do so with people suffering from mental illness.

Jordan praised the grass roots efforts of the local NAMI chapter, noting that individuals advocating for the mentally ill have made all the difference in developing alliances within the community.

The 2008 NAMI Central Susquehanna Valley award presentations included:
Empowerment Award: Roger Steffen, Catawissa. For putting NAMI’s mission of education, support, and advocacy into action by sharing his story to reduce stigma and to support others in their journeys to recovery.

2008 Media Award: The Daily Item. For promoting NAMI Central Susquehanna Valley and for educating the public about mental health.

NAMI Walks: Certificate of Appreciation. Krystal Duke, Middleburg.

For extraordinary efforts and achievements in coordinating Team Chey on behalf of NAMI Central Susquehanna Valley and raising awareness, understanding, and acceptance of mental illness and recovery as well as fund-raising (Team Chey named in honor of her sister Chey).

Certificates of Appreciation

Northumberland County MH/MR Program. For supporting and promoting NAMI Central Susquehanna Valley

Family to Family Teachers:
Shelley. Evans, Millville; Mickey McElroy, Numidia; Al Smokowicz, Danville; Cindy
Evitts, Northumberland; Karen Thompson, Selinsgrove; Rany Harrison, Selinsgrove; Nancy Hazlinsky, Lewisburg.
Family to Family Resource Person and Class Coordinator: Cathy Weaver, Mifflinburg.
Support Group Facilitators: Melanie Duke, Selinsgrove; Rany Harrison, Selinsgrove;
Beverly Rapp, Selinsgrove; Cathy Weaver, Mifflinburg; Nancy Hazlinsky,Lewisburg;
Shelley Evans, Millville; Mickey McElroy, Numidia; Mary Kelly, Catawissa; Roger
Steffen, Catawissa.