Rainville Jeremiah S. Rainville, CPRS, and CCHW

NAMI Rhode Island PLC Representative
Member, NAMI Providence (RI)
Nominated by Lori Schectman, NAMI Arizona PLC Representative, seconded by Diane Banks, NAMI Texas PLC Representative
Listen to Jeremiah's Candidate Speech

Specific Strengths and Attributes:

  • Diversity of age, race, ethnicity, language, experience, and national geography

Job Title or Position:

  • Peer Program Manager, NAMI Rhode Island

NAMI Leadership Experience:

  • NAMI National Peer Leadership Council, Executive Committee (Chair, 2019 - present; 2nd Vice Chair, 2016 - 2018)
  • NAMI Rhode Island, Peer Program Manager (11 years)

Additional NAMI Involvement:

  • NAMI Peer-To-Peer, NAMI Ending the Silence, NAMI Connection, NAMI Advocacy, NAMI Speakers Bureau, NAMIWalks

Other Board Service:

  • Oasis MHCA Board Member (2 years)

Relationship to Mental Health:

  • Individual with first-person experience of mental health; Family member or direct/front-line support of someone with a mental health condition; Provider/mental health practitioner/employee in the field; Other Professional; Non-profit Advocate

Candidate Strengths Assessment

The candidate indicated they have experience in the following areas that will help NAMI achieve its mission and strategic goals:

  • Advocacy, Business/Nonprofit Leadership, Mental Health Services/Support

Estimated years of experience in the above areas:

  • 11 years


The candidate indicated they have connections and networks in the following areas:

  • Social Media

Candidate Leadership Style

The candidate indicated the following descriptors represent their leadership style:

  • Action-oriented, Consensus Builder, Data Driven, Decisive, Innovator, Outcome-oriented, Peacemaker, Process Thinker, Risk Taker, Team Player

Candidate Narrative

I started at NAMI Rhode Island at the age of 25, I am part of the BIPOC community. I have had negative experiences in my life in which I ascended from a life of abuse and harm. Today I am resilient, strengths focused and action-oriented. Trauma has changed my perspective on the work I do with my peers to be that of no judgement or bias. We all have a story that we can share, growing the strength of my community, workplace and further action is always needs to be taken. I don't define my life by disability, I see it as part of my truth and the story I tell. I am willing to sit with discomfort and eventually challenge the discomfort to work in favor of peer recovery service. Letting others know that they are not alone.

I have increased the membership with a team-focused direction. Relying on others and not just my own perception. Shared learning and leadership is my focus. I commit to continue growing the council and also partnering with other councils, because it is necessary to focus on the whole of NAMI.

I work well in coordination with other leaders to accomplish goals as evidenced by being on the CEO Taskforce, showing up to Board Committees over the years. Also involving other councils to learn about the PLC to see where we can partner and grow NAMI together. I am team focused. Everyone needs their voice to be heard and I believe I offer tolerance, discretion and belief in common humanity that grows together.

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