About NAMI-Finger Lakes
The History of NAMI-Finger Lakes
The National Alliance on Mentally Illness of the Finger Lakes (NAMI-Finger Lakes) began in 1985 as an independent local organization called FLAMI (Finger Lakes Alliance for the Mentally Ill), operating under these by-laws adopted in 1986.
Then as now, FLAMI's goals were to:
Provide support for families, relatives, and friends of people diagnosed with major mental illnesses
Educate them and the public about serious mental illnesses
Advocate for the families as well as their ill family members.
FLAMI eventually became NAMI-Finger Lakes, which is one of 71 affiliates of NAMI-NYS (NAMI-New York State), and is also one of more than 1,090 nationally affiliated NAMI groups.
NAMI-Finger Lakes is a currently an 85-member Ithaca, NY support, education, and advocacy group for families with relatives suffering from major mental illnesses. We are run by unpaid volunteers - all of whom have relatives diagnosed with mental illness.
We are organized as a not-for-profit corporation in New York State (incorporated March 21, 2006), operating under these by-laws adopted in 2006.
We have IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status (granted July 19, 2006), and our 501(c)(3) status can be verified at the IRS Charities Search website by searching for Organization=NAMI, Location = Ithaca NY.
Our Goals:
- Provide a self-help group for parents, spouses, siblings, children and friends of people with mental illness. (This group is currently meeting 1st Tuesdays of each month)
- Educate ourselves and the public about the truth concerning the major mental illnesses, and seek to change stereotypes and overcome stigma
- Advocate for the best possible delivery of mental health services for people suffering from these conditions
- Support research for improved medications and treatments for people with mental illnesses today, and to find the causes of mental illnesses now and for the future
Our 2012 Board of Directors are:
Barbara Anible
Joanne Denison
Deb Grantham
Peter Harriott
Mark Lenzenweger
Derek Osborne
Jean Poland
Sherry Scott
Joan Speilholz
William Staffeld
Our Officers for 2011 are:
President - Deborah Grantham
Vice-President - Jean Poland
Treasurer - Joanne Dennison
Recording Secretary - Sherry Scott
Corresponding Secretary - Barbara Anible
Our Committee Chairs for 2011 are:
Support - Jean Walters
Education - Barbara Anible
Fundraising - Deb Grantham
Website & Technology - Bruce McKee
Annual Reports