Volunteering for NAMI Cook County North Suburban is an important way to help us end the stigma against people with a mental health condition.
The mission of NAMI CCNS is to improve the lives of individuals with serious mental illness and those who love and care for them through education, support and advocacy. Our goal is to change how people think about mental illness. Your interests, skills and experience can help us achieve our goal.
Current Volunteer Needs:
1) Family-to-Family Teacher
- Description: Family-to-Family is a free 8-week course for families and close friends of adults with mental illness. The teachers of this course are trained by NAMI and have personal experience with having a loved one living with mental illness.
2) In-Person Family Support Group Facilitator
- Description: The Family Support Group is a place where family members who have a loved one living with a mental health condition can share challenges and learn how others have dealt with challenges. Facilitators are trained by NAMI who also have their own mental health experiences.
3) Ending the Silence: Lead Presenter
- Description: Ending the Silence is a presentation designated for middle and high school students where they learn about mental health conditions through a presentation and personal testimony. The lead presenter is one who shares an informative presentation.
4) Ending the Silence: Young Adult Presenter (Ages 18-30)
- Description: Ending the Silence is a presentation designated for middle and high school students where they learn about mental health conditions through a presentation and personal testimony. The young adult presenter is a person with a mental health condition who shares their journey of recovery.
5) In Our Own Voice Speaker
- Description: In Our Own Voice is a presentation that changes attitudes, assumptions, and ideas about people with a mental health condition. Leaders of these presentations have their own lived experiences who talk openly about what it’s like to have a mental health condition.
6) Resource Fair Representative
- Description: NAMI CCNS attends resource fairs held by local organizations so we can share about what our organization is and the programs we offer to the community. Resource Fair Representatives will attend local resource fairs by handling a table with handouts and will answer questions about the organization or direct individuals for contact.
7) One-Time Events
- Description: Over the course of the year, NAMI CCNS holds annual events including a gala and a walk. Volunteers will assist with these events by provide assistance the day of, including set-up, table management, guest check in, and break-down.
