by Jenifer Price
“New graduates from a Court-supervised treatment program for people with mental health challenges face homelessness”, Davis mental health advocate June Forbes told County Supervisor Don Saylor and the Mental Health Board Monday night. She recounted the story of a Davis mother whose adult son is graduating from the court program. Though his judge and treatment staff believe he’s ready to move on, he can’t find an apartment. June says, “In this time of housing scarcity, we want to encourage local landlords to sign master leases with recovery-support agencies whose clients are successful and have strong, ongoing support.”
Yolo County Supervisors, staff, and low-income housing developers are working to house them, but are nowhere near meeting the need yet. Friday, Governor Brown signed more than a dozen new laws to fund and fast-track low-income housing, and block NIMBY-ism. “This package has everything from A to Z – affordability to zoning,” Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon said in a statement. “It’s not a magic wand, but it is going to put a lot of drafting tools, backhoes, hammers and door keys to work.”
While waiting for those keys, NAMI Yolo, the local chapter June leads as part of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is reaching out to the public in the first week of October. The NAMI Yolo 
outreach week theme, “Homes, Work & Recovery”, highlights the important roles of safe, stable housing and meaningful work in recovery from mental health challenges.
This week, the public is invited to a rally with open mic on Monday, an interfaith candle-lighting service on Tuesday, and “In Our Own Voice” on Wednesday, when locals will tell their compelling personal recovery stories, tailored for the audience of local landlords and merchants who can provide homes and work to people recovering from mental illnesses. The NAMI Yolo outreach week theme, Homes, Work & Recovery, highlights the important roles safe, stable housing and meaningful work play in recovery from mental health challenges.
Rally for “Home, Work & Recovery”
Free Pizza & Ice Cream Cones, Open Mic and Music
Date: Monday, October 2, 5:30 pm
Location: Heritage Plaza, 2nd & Main Streets, Woodland
Honoring: Dedré Rodriguez for Supported Housing
& Richard Gustafson for Supported Employment
Dedré Rodriguez, the supportive housing honoree, operates Pine Tree Gardens East House, a Davis Turning Point Community Program founded by pioneering mental health services advocate Pat Williams. Dedré, her family and staff strive to make living at Pine Tree East as close as possible to Pat’s original vision of caringly supported recovery. Dedré is widely respected by people who have mental illnesses and their families. She consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty in supporting residents.
Richard Gustafson, the supportive employment honoree, is responsible for staffing the All Things Right & Relevant Thrift Store in Davis with volunteers and employees who are recovering from disabling episodes of mental illness. Richard’s management style, a successful combination of businesslike expectations and empathic mentoring, is a key part of both the store’s success and the staff’s recoveries. He schedules staff, offers “pep talks”, and offers support and friendship to his staff. He says “This job uses all of my talents. I feel very productive here and like I am contributing to my community in Davis.” Richard worked his way up to Assistant Manager having worked at the store for over 20 years. He says that shoppers at ATRR “know that if they spend money at the store it will go to populations who have mental illnesses.”
Interfaith Candle Lighting Ceremony
Blessings, Prayers for Understanding & Recovery and Reception
Date: Tuesday, October 3, at Noon
Location: St. Martin’s Church, 640 Hawthorne Lane, Davis
The much anticipated annual Interfaith Candle Lighting Service draws community together in prayer for understanding and hope for recovery. The event is hosted by St. Martin’s Church is led by Reverend Margaret Grayden. She says “St. Martin’s is grateful to welcome the whole community to this interfaith gathering that supports and shows love and care to those who live with mental illness and face special challenges in their lives.” All are welcome to attend the service in the church and reception which follows outside on the shady deck”.
In Our Own Voice
Compelling personal stories of recovery
Date: October 4, 7:00 pm (Seating limited, call for reservations)
Location: Woodland Community Center, 2001 East Street, Woodland
Limited Seating – Make Reservations by Voice Mail at 530-756-8181
The culminating event takes the theme “Home, Work & Recovery” directly to Yolo County business owners, property managers, and landlords, as “In Our Own Voice” speakers seek to reach those who can hire and rent homes to people living with mental illness, and to introduce local merchants to customers who spend money in their businesses. IOOV admission is free, but seating is limited, and at this particular presentation preference will be given to property managers, landlords, merchants, and business owners. Leave voice mail at 530-756-8181 for reservations for October 4th.
Experienced presenter Chris Naldoza, who also sits on the NAMI Yolo board of directors, became involved in IOOV as a NAMI Yolo volunteer. He says “I liked the idea of telling my story and busting stigma with it. People do not think about it but stigma is a form of profiling and bigotry and we must combat it.” Chris believes,“It is important for us to reach this target audience. I want to communicate to them that most people who live with mental illness or have an intense episode are just doing the same normal things everyone does. They live their life. They go to work. We are generally not people you see living on the streets or in and out of hospitals or jail. This presentation demonstrates that most of us live a regular life, though we have some struggles. We are good tenants, good regular customers, and can be excellent employees.” Chris is looking forward to sharing his story and the question and answer period that follows.
Samantha Danielson will also present. She started working as a “Peer to Peer” program group facilitator a few years ago. She says “I have been looking for a way to share my story and help each person. Mental health awareness is my community service and platform for participation in the Accomplished American pageants. Similar to IOOV, the pageant is a means to an end to share with people.”
She looks forward to the interaction with employers in the audience because “an employer needs to understand that mental illness is just as bad as a physical illness…they are equivalent when someone calls in sick.” She shares her story “in the hope that it will help enable others to reach out for help, know they are not alone and that others have walked in their shoes and have happy lives.”
“In Our Own Voice” presents first-hand, compelling personal stories of challenge, hope and successful recovery with the goal of combating stigma. These presentations are offered intermittently and by request to a variety of groups including churches and service clubs. To learn more or schedule a presentation to your group, leave voice mail at 530-756-8181.
Jenifer Price is a member of the NAMI-Yolo Board
Congratulations Richard!