Image courtesy of Kyle Carter
Q: What is most satisfying in your work with NAMI Philly?
Kyle: For me personally, it is the professional development of staff and team members. We are an organization of families, friends and individuals whose lives have been affected by mental illness and we share our experiences to help others.
Q: Are there any programs or organizations you partner with?
Kyle: Yes, we are a hub to connect people with the resources they need so we partner with many local organizations like Belmont Hospital, Community Behavioral Health, Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services and The Urban Affairs Coalition.
We also partner with local universities to bring NAMI onto to college campuses like the one at the University of Pennsylvania.
Q: Can you share with me three ways a community member can help NAMI Philly reach its goals?
Kyle: First, spread the word about the work we do by word of mouth and social media.
Second, volunteer when appropriate. Use your skills and talents to help us carryout our mission.
Third, donate when you can. Tax-deductible donations help NAMI Philadelphia offer support, education, and advocacy to thousands of people living with mental illness. All of our programming is free of charge.
Q: Do you have any particular success story you’d like to share?
Kyle: NAMI itself is a lived experience by people who use what they have personally gone through to help others. It creates a transformative experience for the community.
Q: What are some roadblocks you face carrying out your mission?
Kyle: Funding is a major roadblock. We always need more. We try to be creative in stretching money. It can be difficult, but I think we do a pretty good job.
Q: Have you seen positive growth from volunteers and the people you serve?
Kyle: Absolutely, over the last 6 months, we grew 25%-35% in volunteers after our most recent NAMIWalk.
Q: Why is it so important to address people’s housing, education and employment needs, not just their mental illness?
Kyle: Our staff come from a background as clinicians and case managers. For someone with a mental health condition, the basic necessity of a stable home can be hard to come by. If a person with a mental illness is also housing or food insecure, you need to address those needs too or you are not serving the whole person.
For more information about how you can get involved with NAMI Philadelphia, visit namiphilly.org.
