History of NAMI Ruston, Louisiana

 
Years ago, a small group of family members organized the Ruston Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI Ruston). The founding members were the Rev. and Mrs. Lonzy B. Jones, Dr. and Mrs. Selwyn S. Kilgore, Mrs. Marilyn Kinman, Mr. and Mrs. Moses Osborne, Mr. and Mrs. A. Cliff Parr, Mr. and Mrs. Julius Penn, and Mrs. Adell Washington. The sole surviving founding member, Mrs. Marilyn Kinman, and second and third generations of the founders, along with numerous volunteers, remain active members in the organization.
 
NAMI Ruston is a nonprofit organization of families, friends, professionals, and people suffering from a mental health condition. NAMI Ruston promotes collaboration with local, state, and national organizations to provide education, advocacy, research, legislation, and financial literacy.
 
NAMI Ruston celebrates its anniversary in May of each year.  In May 2023, we will celebrate our 37th Anniversary, along with Mental Health Month, and Tardive Dyskinesia Week.
 
NAMI Ruston is one of six affiliates of the state organization, Louisiana Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI Louisiana), headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana (www.namilouisiana.org), and one of 600 local and state affiliates in the national organization, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), headquartered in Arlington, Virginia (www.nami.org). NAMI Ruston is listed by the Secretary of the State of Louisiana as a nonprofit corporation and is a Federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
 
The central location of the organization is Ruston, Louisiana; however, our service areas are parishes in North and Central Louisiana. 
 
A partnership has developed between NAMI Ruston and local media outlets, such as the Ruston Louisiana Daily Leader newspaper staff, and the Grambling State University and Louisiana Tech University radio stations. A column/article is written by the NAMI Ruston Executive Director and other Board Members and is published in the Daily Leader newspaper on Wednesdays, every two weeks. The Daily Leader also publishes announcements, other articles, and editorials to inform the general public about mental health issues. Public service announcements are made, and radio talk shows are hosted by the university radio stations. 
 
Other partners with NAMI Ruston are Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Epsilon Psi Omega Chapter; Community Bridges Group Homes, Elisha Ministries Supportive Housing of Northeast Louisiana; Volunteers of America/Independence Meadows; Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated, Red River Chapter; the Lincoln Parish Library; and NAMI On Campus club at Louisiana Tech University.
 
Over the years, NAMI Ruston has developed numerous projects; among these are (1) Independence Meadows (developed in partnership with Volunteers of America), (2) Second Beginnings Peer Support Center (developed in partnership with the Extra Mile and the Northeast Delta Human Services Authority), (3) Church, Community, and Civic Organization -Requested Educational Seminars, (4) NAMIWalks/Ruston Mental Health Awareness and Fundraising Events in October, (5) Cookbook Sales, Fish Plate Sales, and Other Fundraising Projects, (6) Community Leaders Luncheon in November, (7) Annual Christmas Celebration in December,  (8) Anniversary and Mental Health Month Celebrations in May, (9) Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week Recognitions in May and throughout the year, (10) Conferences as an Outreach to Faith and Law Enforcement Communities, (11) Annual National Mental Illness Awareness Week Celebrations in October, (12) Annual Sharing Hope Anniversary and National Minority Mental Health Month Celebrations in July, (13) Journey of Hope and Vision for Tomorrow Educational Programs and Support Groups, (14) Library Informational Displays throughout the year; and (15) Opportunity House Outpatient Psychosocial Program.
 
The organization continues to raise awareness about mental illnesses and the importance of mental wellness for all.

​NAMI Ruston strives to improve the lives of consumers and their families.
    
Mental illnesses are real and treatable, and there is help! Together, we can make a difference!
 
 
NAMI Ruston Administrative Staff:

                                               
                                             Jerrilene Washington, Ed.D., Executive Director
                                                      National Alliance on Mental Illness - Ruston, Louisiana, Chapter
                                                      Post Office Box 1585  -  Ruston, Louisiana 71273  -  (318) 247-3982
                                                      washington.jerrilene1922@gmail.com

                                              Chandra Hall, Ph.D., MSW, MS, Peer Program Manager
                                                      Postsecondary Education Peer Support Programs

                                              Mrs. Antoinetta Denise Grigsby, MSW, LMSW
                                                      Director, Programs and Outreach

                                              Mrs. Donna Sheri Miles
                                                      Program Director

                                               Mrs. ShaMika Hill
                                                      Volunteer Intern, NAMIWalks


NAMI Ruston Board of Directors

Dr. Jeannetta Stephens-Jones, Ed.D., Board President
Dr. Elise Reed, Ed.D., LCSW-BACS, Past Board President
Mrs. Tonya Monk, Vice-President
Mrs. Bertha Roberts, Secretary
Mrs. Bobbie Smith, Assistant Secretary
Mrs. Rosa G. Roane, Treasurer
Ms. Dawn Metcalf, Board Member
Ms. Kendra McMurry, Board Member
Mrs. Theresea Younger, Board Member