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About Us

Several people were instrumental in organizing the local Alliance. Steve Langley, CEO of Stepping Stones of Rockford, Inc. had formed a support group that met at the Rockford Public Library. Ron Hon, Director of Mental Health Services at SwedishAmerican Hospital, also met with a group of parents. The two groups joined and formed the local chapter of NAMI, known as Northern Illinois Alliance for the Mentally Ill. (NIAMI). Membership was thirty-one and dues were $1.00. Meetings were held once a month at the Home Federal Savings.

The Organizing Members of NAMI Northern Illinois are Steve Langley and Ron Hon. The Charter Members are:

• John and Evelyn Aspling
• John and Fay Carney
• Elizabeth Collingsworth
• Richard and Catherine Dolan
• John and Mary Ann Holmes
• Dick and Darlene Johnson
• Roger and Norma Johnson
• Phyllis Lynn
• Rose and Joseph Nicolosi
• Harvey and Dorothy Smith
• Jay and Becky Sturn
• Eugene and Ann Verona

The first “Family Resource Guide” was printed in 1997 by Editor Dorothy Hooper with guidance from PIP Printing. The publication of 1,000 copies was made possible by memorial gifts and contributions acknowledge on the inside cover of the booklet. In 1998 a second printing of the “Family Resource Guide” was partially funded by a $500 grant from the Gannett Foundation. In 2000 a third edition of the “Family Resource Guide” was printed. It was funded by a grant from Eli Lilly. In 2003 Randy Roberson and Eileen King collaborated on a newly revised edition of the “Family Resource Guide”. In 2006 the “Family Resource Guide” went through a 5th edition. The Guide cost $3.00 to purchase one. Under the menu selection “Resources”, the Guide is described.

NAMI Northern Illinois conducts three education programs; Family-to-Family, Peer-to-Peer, and Visions for Tomorrow. In 2000 the first Family-to-Family 12-week educational course was conducted. NAMI provided training and materials for the leaders. Many Family-to-Family courses have been held since. In 2002 Peer-to-Peer classes became available for consumers in October. In 2003 Visions for Tomorrow offered education and support for families of children and adolescents. Many of these education programs have been held since then.

When NAMI Northern Illinois was first formed in 1984 the membership was 31 people. By 1988 membership had grown to 114 people. In 1991 membership continued to grow to 143. By 1998 membership stood at 168 people. In 2003 NAMI Northern Illinois had 140 members.

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