NAMI Greater Seattle's mission is to address the unmet needs of individuals with mental illness and their families through advocacy, public education, information and referral, and self-help support groups.

Description:
NAMI Greater Seattle is a non-profit organization whose major goal is to address the unmet needs for individuals with severe mental illness and their families.

NAMI Greater Seattle's members are persons with mental illness, their families and friends, administrators, educators, clinicians, legislators, members of religious groups, professionals, and concerned citizens.

History:
NAMI Greater Seattle was founded in 1978 as a statewide organization, Washington Advocates for the Mentall Ill (WAMI). That year, we sponsored the first Washington State conference on Chronic Mental Illness, and coordinated a conference leading to the founding of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Coalition of Family Advocates.
IN 1979, we drafted the legislation leading to RCW 71.05, the Involuntary Treatment Act.
IN 1980, we co-founded NAMI and the first Citizen's Guild of Western State Hospital. As a result of our efforts, WAMI was awarded the Jefferson Award for Distinguished Community Service.
In 1981, we hosted and coordinated NAMI National Convention at University of Washington and co-founded the Downtown Emergency Service Center for Seattle's homeless.
In 1983, WAMI was admitted as a United Way agency.
IN 1987, we were awarded a National Institute of Mental Health grant for Depression/Awareness, Recognition and Treatment (D/ART) program.
IN 1994, WAMI co-founded the State of Washington Alliance for the Mentally Ill (SWAMI), bringing together all NAMI affiliates in the state.
IN 1996, WAMI became a recipient of the Hoffman Trust to establish Home Environment Skill Building Work Project. Published the tenth edition of Connections: A Self-Help & Resource Guide for Individuals with Mental Illness, Their Families, and Social Service Professionals.
In 1999, we completed the Catherine Hofmann House, a project that trained individuals who are recovering from mental illness to remodel and expand an older home by and for themselves.
IN 2001, WAMI, in conjunction with Community Psychiatric Clinic, held the first annual Move for Mental Health, a run/walk to raise awareness about mental illness. Congressman Jim McDermott was among the speakers at the event.
In 2002 we co-sponsored the regional conference "Creating a Culture of Recovery".
In 2003, though our members reside broadly throughout the State, we officially changed our name to NAMI Greater Seattle to be consistent with national NAMI naming requirements. We launched In Our Own Voice, an interactive presentation by persons with mental illness about their experience with mental illness and recovery.

Contact people:

Leon Seaman, Office Manager, (phone), (email) Nancy Cole, Executive Director, (phone), (email) Gail Wilder, Chief Financial Officer, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (206) 784-0957

Address:

802 NW 70th St Seattle, WA 98117 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.nami-greaterseattle.org

Directions:

From I-5 north or south, exit 85th St. Head west on 85th for several miles, crossing Wallingford and Aurora (Hwy 99) until you come to 8th Ave NW. Make a left on 8th, heading south. Continue for 10 blocks until. . . (more)   Nearest Bus Stop: 28/NW 70th, 1 minute minute walk

Miscellaneous Information

Liability
	Yes
Does your organization welcome court-ordered community service volunteers?
	No
Does your organization have volunteer positions for youth 12-18?
	Yes