Thank you for your interest in volunteering with NAMI Mass. Volunteers are essential to the work that NAMI Mass does.  Here are the current volunteer opportunities and how to get involved.  If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Cindy Nelson, Volunteer Coordinator, at 800-370-9085 or cindynelson@namimass.org.

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better.  It’s not.  ~Dr. Seuss ”

IN THE COMMUNITY

NAMI In Our Own Voice Presenter

NAMI In Our Own Voice (IOOV) is a public education anti-stigma program that includes a short video, personal testimony from two people living with a mental illness, and a question and answer period. The In Our Own Voice presenter will share their compelling personal story about living with mental illness and achieving recovery.
Location: Statewide

Time Commitment: Three Hours per Presentation (includes travel to and from location for presentation)
Four Presentations per Year with a One Year Minimum Commitment
Qualification: Must be a person living with mental illness who is living well in recovery.

To Apply: Contact Julie Langbort at jlangbort@namimass.org or 800-370-9085 for more information about this valuable opportunity.

NAMI Family Support Group Facilitator

NAMI family support groups for caregivers are peer based and provide a place that offers respect, understanding, encouragement, and hope.  Facilitators are not counselors or teachers; rather, they are present primarily to give the group structure by opening and closing each support group session, guiding discussion, and shifting discussion when necessary.

Location: In your community with a co-facilitator.
Time Commitment: One 90 minute meeting per month for 24 months.
Qualification: Must be a family member (child, parent, sibling, partner or other caregiver) of someone living with a mental illness.

To Apply: Contact Karen McGravey-Gajera, Family Education and Support Coordinator at 800-370-9085 or kgajera@namimass.org for more information.

NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group Facilitator

NAMI Connection recovery support group meetings are for people living with mental illnesses. They are peer facilitated and provide a place that offers respect, understanding, encouragement, and hope.
Location: In your community with a co-facilitator
Time Commitment: Two 90 minute meetings per month with a one year minimum commitment
Qualification: Must be a person living with mental illness who is living well in recovery.

To Apply: Please contact Karen Reedy at kreedy@namimass.org for more information.

NAMI Family-to-Family Teacher

NAMI Family-to-Family is a twelve week session for family members/friends who have a loved one living with mental illness. The curriculum focuses on mental illnesses and teaching the knowledge and skills family members need to cope. The Family-to-Family education session is taught with two teachers.

Location: In your community with a co-teacher.
Time Commitment: Four hours per week for 12 Weeks. Two complete education course minimum commitment
Qualification: Must be a family member (child, parent, sibling, partner or other caregiver) of someone living with a mental illness.

To Apply: Contact Karen McGravey-Gajera or 800-370-9085 or kgajera@namimass.org.

NAMI Basics Teacher 

NAMI Basics is a six session education program for parents and other caregivers of children and adolescents living with emotional and behavioral disorders who developed the symptoms prior to the age of 13.

The curriculum focuses on teaching the knowledge and skills family members need to cope. A module on Individual Education Plan (IEP) is included. The course is taught with two teachers.

Location: In your community with a co-teacher.

Time Commitment: Four or more hours per week for the entire session. Two complete education sesions minimum commitment.

Qualification: Must be a family member (child, parent, sibling, partner or other caregiver) of a child/adolescent living wit an emotional and/or behavioral disorder.

To Apply: Contact Valerie Hammond at 800-370-9085 or vhammond@namimass.org.