April 11, 2025

Dear Friends,

Today marks three years since I joined NAMI Northern Virginia as Executive Director—and while “celebrate” might feel like a complicated word right now, I do want to take a moment to reflect with you.

So much in our community, and across the country, feels heavy, uncertain, and at times overwhelming. I’ve seen the numbers, but more importantly, I’ve heard your stories—stories of pain, fear, and resilience. I know that many of you are hurting. Please know this: you are not alone.

As I begin my fourth year in this role, my focus is clear: we must meet this moment—together.

Now more than ever, we are called to live our mission boldly:

• To step in where systems fall short.
• To collaborate, not compete.
• To listen deeply, and respond compassionately.
• To offer hope—even in the darkest of times.

It’s not easy leading a local nonprofit during uncertain times. Funding priorities shift. Promises are pulled back. Individuals face financial strain. But that only strengthens our resolve. If the ground is shifting, then we must move with it—and move quickly—so that our life-saving services not only continue but grow.

Here’s how we’re meeting the moment:

• We’re raising our voices. Your stories—your lived experiences—are powerful. When we speak out, decision-makers must listen.
• We’re standing strong under pressure. We understand the weight of this moment. And we are here, every step of the way.
• We’re not backing down. We are champions for equity and inclusion, and we are unwavering in our fight for mental health for all.
• We’re showing up—for you. Whether it’s through education, peer support, community-building, or advocacy, our team is here. And you are never, ever alone.

In just a few weeks, we’ll gather for our 17th NAMIWalks Northern Virginia—and I would love for you to be there. It’s free, it’s powerful, and it’s a beautiful reminder that healing is possible in community. You don’t need a diagnosis or a specific role to join us. If you care about mental health—and believe that everyone deserves support—you belong at our Walk.

I’m deeply grateful to my family and friends, my peers and colleagues across the Alliance, and especially to my incredible team and our volunteers. Veronica, Esther, Nancy, and Reagan—you are the heartbeat of this work, and it’s the honor of a lifetime to do this with you. To our Board—thank you for your guidance, trust, and unwavering commitment. And to our volunteers—you are the soul of NAMI Northern Virginia. You are the ones changing lives.

As we look ahead, we need your support more than ever. Our region is home to 2.4 million people—and too many still face stigma, barriers, and silence when it comes to mental health.

• Nearly 750,000 residents speak a language other than English at home and face unique obstacles to care.
• The suicide rate among Black men, older adults, and children continues to rise.
• Nearly 400,000 Virginians on Medicaid have behavioral health diagnoses—and policy shifts threaten their coverage. As one of nine states with a “trigger law” that would automatically terminate Medicaid expansion if federal contributions dip below 90%, we know we must meet the moment to help those who may find themselves dis-enrolled as Congress moves towards cuts amounting to $2.3 trillion to Medicaid over the next decade.

These are not just numbers. These are people—our neighbors, our families, our friends. And we will not let them face these challenges alone. We need your help to meet this moment. If you are able, please considering supporting our work here.

I don’t take for granted the privilege of doing this work. I carry your stories with me every day. And I promise—we’re just getting started.

With gratitude and hope,

NAMI Northern Virginia is excited to announce that we are transitioning our volunteer sign-up system from VolunteerHub to POINT.

If you are not yet a volunteer and would like to explore our new POINT volunteer opportunity page, click here! If you are a current volunteer, check your weekly wrap up email for more details.

It’s not to late to join us for…..

WALK DAY 2025

May 4, 2025

City of Alexandria

Register now to join us at our 17th Annual

NAMIWalks Northern Virginia.

NAMIWalks is our annual education and fundraising event that brings together hundreds of people (last year we had well over 300 people on Walk day) to be in community together and offer Hope. Every year, for 17 years, we have gathered to 1) to spread awareness, build community, and share hope, and 2) to help us raise funds for programs that support and educate neighbors throughout Northern Virginia.

There are SO many ways you can be a part of this amazing event:

• Register as an Individual! – Whether or not you can join us on May 4, register and receive all the great information we send as a Walk Participant. Even if you don’t come on Walk Day, you can earn incentives.
• Make your own team – Be a Team Captain. Invite your network (family, friends, co-workers… we always have many teams from companies and organizations showing their commitment to mental health). Create your own team HERE.
• Sponsor the Walk – Your company or organization can be a NAMIWalks Sponsor! There are so many benefits to being a sponsor, including incredible visibility. Interested in sponsoring? Get more information HERE.

Have questions or need more information? Contact our Walk Manager, Reagan, at walkmanager@nami-nova.org

HAVE YOU ATTENDED a NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group or NAMI Family Support Group with NAMI Northern Virginia in the past 6 months? If so, we need to hear from YOU!

From April 1 – May 15, we need YOUR HELP.

If you attended one or more of our NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group or NAMI Family Support Group in the past 6 months, please take this opportunity to fill out the survey linked at the post below.

Take Back the Night is a powerful, healing-centered evening focused on raising awareness of sexual assault and standing in solidarity with survivors.

The event will include keynote speakers, an open mic for survivors and allies, wellness activities, community resources, and a candlelight vigil to honor those impacted by sexual violence.