On December 14, 2011 WDSRA & NAMI DuPage will be celebrating the Naperville Drop-In Center’s 20th Anniversary! The origins of the drop in center started in 1986 with three couples deciding it was important for individuals living with mental illness to have a special place for people to enjoy camaraderie and friendship as well as have a hot meal.

In 1991 the Riverwalk Community Center in Naperville became that special place, they started serving about 15-20 people weekly. At that time Mary Borland a long time NAMI DuPage member began to volunteer. For the past 20 years she has been helping WDSRA and NAMI DuPage host the weekly Drop-In Center as it has grown from the original 15-20 people to serving 50-60 clients a week.

With the growth over the years local community churches have contributed to making the center what it is today. The three churches, Wesley United Methodist Church, St. Timothy Lutheran Church and SS. Peter & Paul’s Catholic Church, each take a week in the month and provide the meal for that weeks gathering. Then the remaining weeks Mary provides a home cooked offering funding by St. Raphael Catholic Church. Each dinner consists of a hot entree, tossed salad, and rolls with butter.

After the meal clients are able to participate in an activity. Some of the favorites are the annual summer picnic, the Kane County Cougar’s ball game, the legendary drum night, and the monthly art night. Art night has been funded by a grant providing a professional Artist to join the group in the first week of every month and offer a fantastic exercise to nurture ones creativity. NAMI of DuPage funds the other weekly activities through local community donations.

NAMI of DuPage County and WDSRA couldn’t continue to host such a wonderful gathering without people like Mary and other dedicated volunteers. With the past 20 years behind us we hope for many more to come.

Mark Sukis - Volunteer Coor.