News — November 2025

November 2025

NAMIWalks Silicon Valley 2025

We’re excited to report that NAMIWalks Silicon Valley was a huge success!

It’s all thanks to our lovely volunteers, staff members, partners, and community members who contributed to a lively and encouraging environment at History Park in San Jose.

Earth & Ether opened the program by leading the group in some mindful movement, prepping the group to exercise together.

Assemblymember Gail Pellerin shared a moving personal story about a loved one that inspired her to become involved in mental health advocacy within the government, while Jeff Bell spoke on transforming adversity into advocacy. The message shone through the speeches: You are not alone.

It was especially meaningful to see NAMI Walkers fill the sidewalks of the park. Colorful costumes and signs communicated the message that we refuse to let stigma and shame win. Walkers showcased their strength and bravery, whether it was supporting a loved one, themselves, or a combination of people who experience a mental health condition.

After walkers began to cross the finish line, they were greeted with delicious, free food from Lighthouse Food Rescue & Distribution.

It was a touching goodbye for Events Specialist, Kristina Alaniz, who both managed the Walk and acted as a Team Captain for numerous walks past. Her guidance allowed this year’s event to happen seamlessly. Executive Director, Rovina Nimbalkar, gratefully acknowledged Kristina, as well as the hard workers who helped NAMIWalks come together this year.

We’re thrilled to note that to date we have raised a total of $261,858 from the walk! This isn’t the end—we’re working hard to raise $300,000 to meet this year’s goal. Every dollar means something because it goes towards supporting our free and inclusive mental health programs.

All donations raised until December 4 will go towards our goal, if you feel compelled to give!

http://www.namiwalks.org/siliconvalley

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Thank You, Sponsors

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Holiday Closure

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Upcoming November 11 General Meeting

Helping People Experiencing or at Risk of Homelessness Move Beyond Crisis Toward Lasting Stability

Speaker: Shari Kipp

The mission of The United Effort Organization is to help people experiencing or at risk of homelessness move towards self-sufficiency and find safe homes in our community (Santa Clara County). While others provide critical day-to-day resources, like food and clothing, they focus on what comes next—navigating public benefit systems, applying for housing, and securing income. They do this by developing and sharing self-service tools on their website, and one-on-one navigation. Their core values of Dignity, Collaboration, and Persistence lead to Empowerment, so clients can gain lasting stability.

With over 37 years in the medical device and diagnostics industry and more than 15 years of community service, Shari Kipp is passionate about strengthening connections between organizations, clients, and stakeholders. Since joining The United Effort Organization in 2023, she has volunteered onsite and at outreach events, helping clients navigate benefits and housing applications. Her focus is on raising awareness of the challenges and resilience of people experiencing homelessness and fostering community collaboration to create lasting impact.

To know more and sign up, click here.

To check on old general meeting topics, click here.

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Giving Tuesday

NAMI-Santa Clara County is excited to participate in this year’s Giving Tuesday campaign on December 2, a global movement of generosity that brings communities together to support causes that make a difference.

For 50 years, NAMI-SCC has been providing critical mental health services, advocacy, and education to individuals and families in our community. Our programs—from support groups to mental health education and helpline services—help empower those affected by mental illness and create a more compassionate, informed society. Giving Tuesday offers a unique opportunity for our community to contribute to this vital mission, ensuring that our life-changing programs continue to be accessible free of cost to all who need them.

By supporting NAMI-SCC on Giving Tuesday, you help sustain and expand programs that directly address the growing need for mental health services in our community. Mental health challenges affect people from all walks of life. Your donation helps provide no-cost services, promote advocacy efforts, and strengthen outreach to underserved populations.

Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness.

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NAMI-SCC Annual Holiday Drive

This holiday season, NAMI-SCC will distribute gifts to patients in hospitals, mental health residential facilities, and homeless shelters, as well as participants at self-help and veterans’ centers. Each year, we distribute gift bags to over 1,000 individuals, which costs us more than $11,000.

Our Holiday Drive has been growing each year, allowing us to reach even more individuals in need. However, as the program expands, so do the costs of supplies and packaging. We rely on community donations to make this effort possible and sustainable.

Please help us bring a smile to their faces—often these individuals aren’t able to spend the holidays with their loved ones or receive gifts.

If you would like to donate or sponsor the Holiday Drive, please send a check to:

NAMI-Santa Clara County, 1150 S. Bascom Ave, #24, San Jose, CA 95128,

or donate through our website: www.namisantaclara.org

Your generosity helps us spread hope and kindness to those who need it most.

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MH 101 Presented By FaithNet

Please join FaithNet on Thursday, November 20, 2025 for their Mental Health 101: Introduction to Mental Health and Stigma webinar. Learn about the mental health continuum, avoiding spiritual bypassing, supporting your loved ones, and the role of faith communities. Be a part of breaking the mental health stigma!

To know more about NAMI Santa Clara County FaithNet Program, click here.

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New Mental Health-Friendly Congregation

The NAMI-Santa Clara County FaithNet team welcomed Bethel Lutheran Church as its newest certified Mental Health-Friendly, Stigma-Free Congregation! Bethel lives by their motto, “Doing Life Together.” Their commitment to serve the needs of their congregation shows in the work they do through their Mental Health Team by hosting wellness resource fairs, sponsoring a NAMIWalks team, sharing mental health resources, and now housing an onsite counseling team that provides support for their congregation.

We are honored to have Bethel join our Mental Health, Stigma-Free Congregations!

Check all our Mental Health Friendly, Stigma-Free Congregations here.

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Silicon Valley Independent Living Center (SVILC) Peoples’ Thanksgiving

SVILC is hosting their 20th Annual Peoples’ Thanksgiving luncheon.

You are invited to join their board, staff, and volunteers for a delicious hot Thanksgiving meal and sharing of gratitude. Fun, Food, Sharing, Socializing, and Raffle Prizes!

WHEN: Thursday, November 20, 2025

TIME: 12:00 to 2:00 P.M.

WHERE: John Burns Gardens (Community Ctr), 850 Agnew Rd, Santa Clara, CA95054

RSVP by November 13: Peoples’ Thanksgiving. (Seating is limited so register early.)

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Upcoming Provider Education Virtual Seminar

To learn more about Provider Education, click here.

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NAMI CA Conference Recap

By Jeanette Langdell, Helpline Coordinator

Several NAMI-SCC staff attended the annual NAMI California Conference in Sacramento on October 16 and 17. It was a great opportunity to connect with staff and volunteers from NAMI affiliates throughout the state and to listen to and learn from some amazing presenters.

The keynote speaker on day one was Drew Robinson, Mental Health Advocate for the San Francisco Giants. Drew, a past keynote at our NAMIWalks Silicon Valley, spoke of his miraculous survival of a suicide attempt and how it led to his new purpose of working to destigmatize mental health, especially within the sports community. Leveraging his tagline, “Strength Isn’t Always Physical,” Drew emphasized that it takes courage to admit vulnerability, and he is working to encourage sports teams to follow the Giants’ lead and prioritize mental health care.

Patrick J. Kennedy, former U. S. Representative, was the keynote on day 2. His dynamic presentation drew on his experience as co-author of the landmark Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act and focused on the importance of states and localities prioritizing systemic change to assure mental health access for all. He emphasized the need for a system that rewards outcomes rather than procedures in health care, particularly for those with mental health issues. Currently, a significant portion of health care spending goes towards emergency rooms and other costly services. Mental health should be integrated into the care path to improve outcomes and reduce costs.

We attended smaller presentations and workshops on bridging mental health and law enforcement in crisis response, supporting those with eating disorders, engaging diverse communities, strategies for local advocacy, types of mood disorders, understanding mental health laws, and learning how family members can reclaim joy (given by a previous NAMI-SCC Family-to-Family attendee).

As a first-time conference attendee, I was inspired by the passion of the speakers as well as the attendees that I met and excited to learn about new resources to share internally and with our local community.

By Barbara Thompson

This year’s NAMI California Conference in Sacramento was preceded by a rally near the Capitol. We all had navy blue T-shirts that read: This Is Where the Change Happens. After the rally, we called on various legislators to discuss the importance of mental health. The afternoon session was focused on a youth symposium.

This NAMI conference had a focus on youth and their wellness. There was also a Spanish component to the conference. Featured speakers included Drew Robinson, a former Major League Baseball player who spoke at our NAMIWalks a few years ago, and Patrick Kennedy, former U.S, Representative. Ask the Doctor sessions also returned. AI appeared this year in the session the Intersection of AI, Food Allergies, and Mental Health.

I’m very glad I attended this worthwhile conference.

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Volunteer Spotlight: Briana Hermann

Briana Hermann is NAMI-SCC’s newest Helpline volunteer. She wanted to be able to share her experiences and provide guidance for others who are also navigating the complex world of mental health. She has found the NAMI community to be very welcoming.

When her middle son first ended up in the hospital for psychosis in early 2024, she didn’t know what the options were or what to do to help him. She can’t remember exactly when she called the NAMI Helpline, but does recall being thankful for the kindness and detailed responses to her many questions. It became clear to her after learning more and taking the Family-to-Family class that there were many options and that her family wasn’t alone in navigating what her son was going through.

Since 2002, Briana has been a stay-at-home mom for five kids, now ages 13-23. Her family likes to travel, and for the last several trips they have gone scuba diving, bike riding and fishing in Tahoe, and have gone to the gym to go climbing. In her free time, Briana likes to run or hike, and sometimes read books. Currently, she is reading Super Agers. Occasionally, she also volunteers with Angel Flight West, which gives free flights to patients needing to get to medical appointments.

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Planned Giving

With a Charitable Remainder Trust, you can leave assets to care for yourself and loved ones with the remainder donated to a charity. While NAMI-Santa Clara County doesn’t recommend specific financial management services, you can learn more here:

https://www.fidelitycharitable.org/guidance/philanthropy/charitable-remainder-trusts.html

To make payment via check, please address the check to “NAMI Santa Clara County“ and send it by mail to:

1150 S. Bascom Ave., Suite 24
San Jose, CA 95128

To join online, go to www.namisantaclara.org.

Learn how to include NAMI-SCC in your estate plan by going to “Get Involved/Planned Giving” on our website.

NAMI-SCC welcomes your membership. Memberships are valid for one year. Your membership and donations are tax deductible. Tax ID #94-2430956

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