President's Notes

President’s Notes

By Jana Cronin

This year, 2010, is the 25th anniversary of the founding of NAMI of DuPage County. Over the past 25 years we have faced many challenges and have accomplished a great deal. I want to thank you for your past support and ask for your continuing support of NAMI DuPage.

2010 is going to be a difficult and challenging year for us. We are in the midst of a national economic crisis and, in addition, the State of Illinois budget crisis is among the worst in the country. This situation is unprecedented in the history of NAMI DuPage. If our State’s financial picture does not improve, more services will be slashed which will be devastating for those with mental illness in our State. Even before this crisis, the mental health system was broken and underfunded, and it will only get worse with the anticipated budget cuts.

We at NAMI DuPage must and will continue our efforts to provide support, advocacy, and education and to work with our partners in the DuPage County community to improve the lives of those individuals living with mental illness. In order to continue our work, fundraising is an essential component. It is expected that in this coming year it will be more difficult than ever before to obtain the needed funding. Other non-profit organizations are facing the same problems, so there is increasing competition for fewer dollars in grant money. In addition, private and corporate donors are being inundated with requests and are being very selective with their donations. These circumstances bring me to my plea. Our Board of Directors, Staff, and the Resource Development Committee are focusing their efforts on obtaining new funding. However, there are also ways the membership can help in these efforts and one way is to support the NAMI DuPage fundraisers. Our three fundraisers are an essential source of income to continue our programs and advocacy efforts and to retain our wonderful staff.

The spring benefit, Silver Reflections & Beyond, is coming up very soon, Saturday, April 24th. Not only will it be one of our major fundraisers in 2010 but more importantly it will be a celebration of NAMI DuPage’s 25 year anniversary. It is going to be a fabulous evening – beautiful venue, great music from the Elmhurst Jazz Band, and recognition of our past NAMI DuPage Presidents and our 2010 honorees, Jim Ryan, former Illinois Attorney General and distinguished fellow of Benedictine University; Patrick Barnes, Director of Behavioral Health and Professional Services at Good Samaritan Hospital; and our own Dorothy O’Reilly, distinguished local artist and philanthropist. Please attend and bring your family and friends. Ads and sponsorships are vital to the success of the event so your help in obtaining them would be much appreciated. I hope to see you there. Please call the office and speak with Angela for more information.