Family to Family Education Class for Spanish-Speaking Families

De Familia a Familia - Las clases de salud mental para familias

For the first time in the Pittsburgh area, NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania will be offering a Family-to-Family education class for Spanish-speaking families!

The NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program is a free, 12-week course for family caregivers of individuals with severe mental illnesses. The course has been described as "life-changing" by many of its participants.

The Spanish-speaking class will begin on Wednesday, Sept. 28 at the St. Regis Social Church Hall, 235 Parkview Ave. in Oakland from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Alby Gates and Jorge Tizol will be teaching the class. All calls regarding this class should be direct to Alby (412) 244-3142 or Jorge (412) 788-4582.

Visit our website for more information on De Familia a Familia and for more information on additional upcoming Family to Family classes.


Contributed by Lora M. Dziemiela, Program Secretary

Aloha! What a Kickoff!

As seen on Channel 4 Action News, 150 NAMI Walk supporters convened at the Sheraton Station Square on Thursday for the 5th Annual NAMI Walk Kickoff Luncheon. A palm tree, tropical menu and hundreds of leis set the tone for the announcement of an exciting travel incentive for team captains. Click these links to read about the travel reward program or watch the video. Thanks to all who attended! If you did not make it and need materials, call the NAMI office at (412) 366-3788 or email slevine@namiswpa.org.

Friend us on Facebook and view all NAMI Walk Kickoff photos! All proceeds from the NAMI Walk benefit NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Win Steelers Tickets!!!

That's right! Be one of the first to watch the Steelers play this season--live at Heinz Field--at the August 27 preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons*. How do you qualify to win? It's simple:

1. Register for the NAMI Walk

2. Follow the easy instructions to create your Personal Web Page

3. Have one online donation of any amount on your page (you can make it yourself!)

Anyone who meets these three requirements by the DEADLINE Sunday, August 21 is in the drawing for the Steelers tickets*. Winner will be announced on Monday, August 22.

Special note to Team Captains: Remember to set up your team page so your walkers can join! 

Many thanks to our generous donor Ray Baum of Pepper Hamilton LLP.

*Three tickets, section 135, row F, seats 7,8.9 for the Saturday, August 27 game, 7:30 p.m. 

NAMI Walk Update: 2011 NAMI Walk Chairpersons Announced

We are excited to announce the 2011 NAMI Walk Chairpersons:

We are pleased to announce that John Lovelace is our first ever NAMI Walk Chair. John is the President of UPMC for You and Chief Program Officer at Community Care Behavioral Health Organization, Pennsylvania's largest behavioral health medical assistance managed care contractor. John will provide the leadership needed to ensure the NAMI Walk's success in its 5^th year.

We are thrilled to welcome back Michelle Wright, News Anchor of WTAE-TV, as our Honorary Chair. With Michelle's support, we are able to significantly increase the amount of awareness and visibility of the walk. She will be hosting our Kickoff Luncheon on Aug. 18 and leading the NAMI Walk on Oct. 2.

We are grateful to our Family Team Chair Jim Ehrman for serving in this important role again this year. Jim brings a small family team to the NAMI Walk that raises nearly as much funds as our large corporate teams! As our walk's top individual fundraiser, Jim tirelessly helps to promote the NAMI Walk and our mission.  

We at NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania are full of excitement about the upcoming Walk season! Want to get into the spirit? Visit our NAMI Walk website and sign up to join us in stomping out stigma and raising awareness of mental illness.