News & Notes

We started working with Bert Nash on their marketing materials while I was a designer at Design Brilliance. I was asked to re-brand their Discover Bert Nash program, so I went to the center to participate in a tour. Although I grew up in Lawrence, I’d never set foot in the building. The tour inspired me to make sure that more people in Lawrence are aware of where the center is and all the different kinds of help Bert Nash provides. Taking your first steps inside the doors, ev

How did your involvement with the Bert Nash Center begin? My involvement started by being invited to a Discover Bert Nash Tour. The tour was so well done, and I realized the essential services that Bert Nash is playing in our county. I can still remember the impactful stories that they shared on the tour about the work that Bert Nash does with community training of Mental Health First Aid to public schools having WRAP workers. A simple invitation to discover more about Bert N

Jim Ruane had spent most of his life living in Wichita. When he moved to Lawrence a few years ago, everything changed. For the better. He credits his relocation to Lawrence and coming to the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center for services with putting him on a different path. “It was just kind of meant to be,” he said. “It absolutely saved my life.” Jim had been a successful lawyer in Wichita. In part, he said, because he’s Irish and he’s stubborn. But he went through a

Tiffany Jones has a tattoo on her left forearm that says My Brother’s Keeper. “To me, it represents my need to give back to those who are struggling with mental health or addiction, because I can relate," Tiffany said. About 10 years ago, Tiffany was a Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center client, struggling with her own mental health. Today, she is a Peer Behavioral Health Specialist with the Bert Nash Center Supportive Housing team. The road to how she got to where she i

The Bert Nash Center is pleased to recognize Shannon Oury, Executive Director of the Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority, as this year’s Pioneer Award recipient. The presentation was made during the Bert Nash Center’s annual Pioneer Celebration, held virtually April 20th. “The collaboration with the Bert Nash and the Behavioral Health Coalition is one of the most rewarding of my career," Shannon said. "We have built The Cottages to provide safe and stable homes for comm

The Bert Nash Center has a new addition to the staff that spreads love and joy everywhere she goes. Her name is Oakley. And she’s a recently certified therapy dog. Oakley belongs to Riley Wohlrab, a Bert Nash Center behavioral health specialist, and her boyfriend, Austin. Oakley is a Labrador and Australian Shepherd mix. “Oakley loves literally everyone she meets,” Riley said. “She is the most cuddly dog you can meet. She loves to play. But when she’s in a situation where she

When Heartland RADAC was looking for a new home, it didn’t have to go far. Across the street, literally. A Heartland RADAC team used to be housed at LMH Health. But when the pandemic happened the space was needed for COVID-related services and Heartland RADAC began looking for a place. The Bert Nash Center seemed like a natural fit, and it had the available space. “We can be housed anywhere, but Bert Nash is actually the perfect place,” said Stacey Cooper, Heartland RADAC Dir

DeCorey Pittman’s grandmother, Nancy Dixon, wasn’t around to celebrate when he started working at the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center late last year. But he feels like she was with him. “She’s in here, always,” DeCorey said, putting his hand on his chest. DeCorey is a Community Based Services case manager for the Bert Nash Center. His grandmother, Nancy, who passed away last fall, used to work at the Center. “I feel like she is watching over me all the time,” DeCorey

Before, Billy didn’t know where he would be sleeping or what he would be sleeping on. But he knew it wouldn’t be on a bed. Billy is one of the residents of the Woody Park campsite. Woody Park is a temporary, supported campground that provides shelter for up to 20 people who are experiencing homelessness. Funded by federal CARES Act money awarded to the city of Lawrence by Douglas County, the camp is managed by Lawrence Parks and Recreation and the Bert Nash Center Homeless O

They told me I came from a land of kings and queens. A place rich in the finest of Earth’s natural resources. With a heritage of beauty and an abundance of raw and complex talent, skills and abilities inscribed with purpose. Yet, I have found myself standing far from whence I came. In a system that tells me I am less than. I struggle to keep my identity. There is a war brewing, a battle in my mind. On one side, there is the vision of who I am and on the other, who I was made

Dear Friends, I am extremely pleased to announce the promotion of Emily Farley as Director of Community Engagement. Emily has been part of the Bert Nash Center team since September 2014. The new Community Engagement team is made up of what was formerly the Development and Communications teams. Besides Emily as Director, the Community Engagement team will include Jeff Burkhead, Communications Manager, and a Community Engagement Coordinator. Emily is responsible for overseeing

The newly developed well-being branch of Douglas County’s pandemic response team has launched its first project: a hashtag campaign meant to help residents stay positive. Margaret Weisbrod Morris, chief executive officer of the Lawrence Arts Center, is one of the leaders of the well-being branch. She said it was established to pay more heed to the community’s mental health, “because it’s been such a long slog, the pandemic.” The team’s first project is an effort to spread smi

Dear Colleagues, In partnership with local agencies and community based Mental Health Clinicians, Bert Nash formed a COVID19 Mental Health Response Team in April 2020 to support healthcare workers who were on the frontlines of the COVID-19 response effort. As our # DGKS community moves forward with hope for a better future, we are reaching out again with efforts to make a difference for Douglas County healthcare providers who, among others, are at the frontline helping meet t

When Christel hit her breaking point last summer, she knew she needed to find help but did not know where to turn, until a close friend told her about the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center. “My best friend from college told me about Bert Nash. She said, ‘Here’s their number, please go talk to them,’” said Christel, a 2016 University of Kansas graduate and local Lawrence resident. “I’m very glad that she did.” Christel was having issues within her friendships, family li

Worried about some of her friends, a Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center board member recently messaged the Center’s CEO Patrick Schmitz and other staff members. “I have friends who are just down and need some positivity,” the board member said. “I have been asked if Bert Nash has any online resources/exercises/links that would help people who are experiencing low energy or light depression during these seasonal days of COVID. Thanks for any help.” Help is available. Not

Jeree Catlin, Endowment Board Chair: Why is it important to you to support the Bert Nash Center financially? In normal years, providing financial support for Bert Nash provides both seed money for new services as well as support for enriching current services. But this year, with the quarantine, endowment and financial support have been even more critical in providing much needed operating funds. Ongoing support will be especially important going forward so that we can expand

Congratulations, Sara Godinez, the 2020 recipient of the Sandra Shaw Spirit Award, the highest award a Bert Nash Center staff member can receive. The presentation was conducted during a virtual all-staff meeting in September. She was joined by her husband, Mike, and their son, Alex. “There have been lots of highs and lots of lows this past year and lots of anxiety and stress. But there have been plenty of high points and one thing for sure, this pandemic has made me very grat

The Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center has been here for Douglas County for 70 years. We celebrated on Wednesday, October 28, 2020 by hosting a virtual at-home fundraising breakfast. The online program helped us raise unrestricted funds that will shape and improve the delivery of mental health services we offer to children, families, and adults in Douglas County. A special thank-you to our sponsors who, without their generous support, this virtual event would not be pos

Dear Friends, As we look back on this year, we can acknowledge it has been a year of adversity. Yet, resiliency has been the pillar for us to stand on. Because of the pandemic, we face a mental health crisis unlike any we have seen before, where anxiety and depression are affecting our community at higher rates while the resources of those needing help have diminished or disappeared entirely. As the economic impact of Covid-19 stretches into the future, we are seeing an incre

Friends of the Bert Nash Center, On December 1, millions of people will come together to help non-profit organizations through financial contributions and social awareness. Will you join us? The Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center will be participating in GivingTuesday 2020, and we need YOUR help! Here’s how you can get ready to help: 1. Mark your calendar. GivingTuesday is December 1, 2020. Keep an eye on your inbox for more details as the day gets closer! Make sure