NAMI Northeast Region PA is proud to announce the 2021 award winners:
On Saturday, October 30, 2021 NAMI Northeast Region and The Katie Foundation co-hosted the 5Kate Run/Walk at Nay Aug Park in Scranton. This event, in remembrance of Katie Shoener, intends to shine a light on mental illness by inspiring others to speak up and reach out. NAMI Northeast Region took this opportunity to recognize area residents with NAMI Leadership Awards.
The Jim & Marie Scott Leadership Award recognizes leadership in our community that has had an impact on the lives of people with mental illness. This year’s award went to James Gallagher of Dallas Pennsylvania. Mr. Gallagher recently retired as Chief Executive Officer of Northeast Behavioral Health Care Consortium in Moosic. Prior to his tenure at NBHCC, Mr. Gallagher served for 47 years in various roles in the community, all of which served people with behavioral health, mental health, and substance use disorders. Under Mr. Gallagher’s leadership, systems have moved forward, services have expanded, numerous new services have become available and attitudes have changed. NAMI recognized Mr. Gallagher's impact with the Leadership Award.
The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Leadership Award recognizes the CIT member who has provided extraordinary service in response to persons in mental health crisis. Dennis D’Augustine, Pastor of Steamtown Church in Scranton, Scranton Police Chaplin and CIT member was honored with this year’s award. Mr. D’Augustine goes out of his way to meet with people struggling in life through his pastoral work and with the Scranton Police Department. “He saved my life through a dark time,” said one individual. NAMI recognized the impact he has made with the CIT Award.
NAMI Scranton takes this opportunity to honor individuals or organizations in our community that have taken actions to help improve the lives of anyone affected by mental illness.
These actions exemplify excellence in the mental health community and serve as a role model to the people of Northeast PA as we all battle the stigma and discrimination that continues to surround mental illness.
It is with that in mind that NAMI Northeast Region PA is proud to announce the newly created Jim & Marie Scott Leadership Award!
Jim & Marie Scott led NAMI Northeast for almost 30years- supporting, educating and advocating for countless individuals and families.
The Scotts recently retired from volunteering but the change they helped bring about as leaders and advocates will be felt far into the future.
NAMI Northeast believes the example they set is admirable and achievable.
Nominations are being accepted now for the Jim & Marie Scott Leadership Award.
Click here to open the
Jim & Marie Scott Leadership Award
nomination.
NAMI Northeast Region PA will also present the
Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Leadership Award to the CIT member who has provided extraordinary service in response to mental health crisis calls and/or provided exemplary leadership toward the development and expansion of CIT in Lackawanna, Susquehanna and/or Wayne Counties.
Open to all CIT members, this award recognizes those members that strive toward a standard of excellence that goes above and beyond what is expected of them. It celebrates exceptional work, commitment, advocacy, and creativity of those who are making a difference in the lives of people living with mental illness.
Click here to open the
CIT Leadership Award
nomination.
NAMI Northeast Region PA knows that the stigma of mental illness may leave a person feeling alienated and empty, having the compassion and support of the community can help to eliminate these feelings and to contribute to one’s well-being and health. NAMI Northeast hopes to educate the public about mental illness and to let our candles shine through the darkness of stigma and light the way to understanding during Mental Illness Awareness Week.