National Alliance on Mental Illness Recognizes Stark County Volunteers, Professional and Peer of the Year

The Stark County Affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness  (NAMI) honored four at its annual meeting and celebration of volunteerism, wellness and recovery. The group recognized Mike Rembert and Sandra Spurgeon as volunteers of the year, Shannon Hunter as professional of the year, and Lisa Vick as peer of the year.

Volunteer-of-the-year Rembert works in the group’s Peer to Peer classes, helping others by sharing his knowledge of the mental health system and his illnesses. He also volunteers in the NAMI offices, editing the group’s monthly newsletter, helping assemble home-going bags for patients leaving inpatient care and volunteering in many other NAMI activities. “Mike has overcome a lot in his personal life over the years and now devotes much of his free time to helping others reach the same level of wellness,” said Jane James, NAMI director, citing his nomination.

Spurgeon has volunteered with NAMI since 2005, teaching the Family to Family classes for family and friends of people diagnosed with a serious mental illness. Like Rembert, she also is a regular volunteer in the group’s activities, including having served as a board officer in years past. Said James, “her ability to listen with compassion, share wisdom and offer hope is an example for us all.”

Hunter, a licensed social worker and director of residential services for Coleman Behavioral Health, was named professional of the year for her efforts with Basic Accommodations, a transitional housing program in Canton. Within the last year, Hunter led the effort to ensure that mentally ill homeless people find safe, client-centered and recovery-oriented lodging.  According to her nomination, “She has been tireless in her efforts to ensure that these people do not have to settle for anything less than what each of us anticipates – affordable, more permanent housing.”

Vick’s peer of the year award celebrates her inspirational journey to recovery. Nominated by her counselor, Vick not only has taken an active role in addressing mental health and addiction issues, but also has reached out to peers to encourage them in their recovery. She also gives of her time in an after school enrichment program. James quoted Vick’s counselor, saying, “Lisa’s efforts have been very beneficial for other clients who participate in group counseling with her.”

NAMI accepts nominations for the awards from its members, as well as from the mental health community. The board of directors makes the final selections based on the award criteria.

Outgoing NAMI board president Dr. Tamera Daily also presided over board elections at the meeting. The membership elected new officers for 2013-2014:

• Jen Powell-Campbell, president;
• Shannon Ortiz, first vice president;
• Bart Fredrick, second vice president;
• Diane Mang, secretary; and
• Charlie Cavender, treasurer.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI advocates for access to services, treatment, support and research and is steadfast in its commitment to raise awareness and build a community of hope for all of those in need. NAMI Stark County, an affiliate of the national organization, provides recovery-oriented programming for those living with mental illness and their families.