2021 Virtual Pioneer Celebration

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 community members who suffer from mental illness. We are working together here to create a community at the Treatment and Recovery Campus of Douglas County. This is work that the Housing Authority could not have accomplished alone. The Housing Authority has provided affordable housing for 50 years and it has been and remains our mission to provide housing for members of the community who need help to maintain housing. But it would not be possible without Bert Nash to provide the services these community members need so they can maintain their housing.

“I am very privileged to be able to do this rewarding work and to work with partners at Bert Nash to provide housing that our clients can make a home. A home is the foundation for each of us to create a satisfying life and it is gratifying to see this happen.”

Congratulations, Shannon, and thank you for all you do for our community.

Ken McGovern, former Douglas County Sheriff, is this year’s recipient of the Lyn Smith Award for Distinguished Service.

This award is in honor of Dr. Lynwood Smith, who was an active leader in the Lawrence community and who served on the Bert Nash Governing Board of Directors from 1997 until his passing in 2002. This award was created to formally distinguish and honor those individuals whose service to the community has been exceptional in the capacity of Director or Trustee for the Bert Nash Center.

Ken was appointed to the Governing Board of Directors by the Douglas County Commission shortly after he was elected Sheriff. He served on the board from 2007 to 2020 and was chair between 2011 and 2012. While serving as Sheriff, Ken sought resources to develop supports for the mental health needs of our First Responders. He was instrumental in creating a peer support group within the sheriff’s department and helped start a first-responder assistance coordinator position made up of chaplains within our community. Ken’s leadership to incorporate the Bert Nash Center into the local law enforcement training has equipped officers with skills for intervening with people who are experiencing a mental health crisis.

In addition, Ken championed efforts to address the mental health needs at the Douglas County Jail. The Sheriff’s Office and the Bert Nash Center began a partnership in the early 2000s to create ways to provide mental health treatment and resources to inmates and find solutions to help transition individuals back out into the community to live safe and healthier lives.

Ken accomplished many things during his time in office and on the Governing Board of Directors. One accomplishment that particularly stands out is the conversation he started around the need for a Crisis Intervention Center. That conversation became a visionary dream and now it is a reality. It is the new Treatment and Recovery Campus of Douglas County. Thank you, Ken, and congratulations!

This year’s Sandra Shaw Spirit Award winner is Mindy Downs. The Spirit Award is the highest award a Bert Nash Center staff member can receive. Mindy, a Community Support Services Case Manager, is known for her dedication to her clients, her fearless advocacy for others, and her determination to give a voice to those who might otherwise go unheard. In addition, she demonstrates a strong spirit of collaboration and cooperation, steadfastly searching for solutions, even when the solutions are hard to find. While Mindy is human, just like the rest of us, and not impervious to the roller coaster of emotions we have all experienced this past year, she has shown exceptional perseverance and determination in the face of obstacles and has never stopped working to transform the seemingly impossible into the achievable. In addition to her never-give-up attitude, Mindy is a loving parent, a devoted spouse, and a fervent lover of all creatures, great and small. She has a fun and funky fashion sense, an award-winning smile, and a spritely energy that has earned her the nickname of “Tinkerbell” from one of her clients.

Congratulations, Mindy Downs, this year’s Spirit Award winner!

Also recognized was outgoing Governing Board member Martha Gage. Martha joined the board in 2018. Her enthusiasm and passion for mental health has led the Governing Board to look beyond the typical governance of the Center, but to dive deep into the mission of responding to needs, restoring lives and building a healthy community. She has been an avid Ambassador and a Building Bert Nash team member and although she is stepping off the Governing Board, she and her husband Ralph will continue the efforts to sustain Bert Nash into the future. Thank you, Martha!

Two outgoing Endowment Board Trustees, Amy Northrop and Anna Oliver, were recognized during the Celebration. Amy joined the board in 2019. Her commitment to addressing mental health in our community has truly made an impact. Amy’s thoughtful approach to whole person care and helping us educate more community members to learn about Bert Nash has shaped the Center’s sustainable funding. We are fortunate to have had Amy’s expertise and partnership with LMH Health and look forward to our continued collaboration.

Anna joined the board only last year but her time with Bert Nash exceeds her time on the board by far. She began her longtime volunteer role with the Center in 2014 as an Ambassador. Anna has brought well over 50 community members to our Discover Bert Nash tours and her energy and passion for mental health has fueled advocacy in others. Anna truly exemplifies supporter. Anna, we are excited for your move to Denver but will definitely miss you and your support for Bert Nash. Thank you, Amy and Anna!