Bert Nash Center Profiles

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 services to accommodate the increase in mental health issues resulting from the quarantine.

What would you say to others about why they should support the Center?

No one really knows when or if they might need mental health services. The chances are great that you, a family member, or a friend may need support sometime in their lives. Having Bert Nash is so important to our community because it provides a place for anyone struggling with mental health issues to seek treatment. But even if you don’t need Bert Nash services, the Center supports a mentally healthy

community by supporting all Douglas County residents with programs like

Mental Health First Aid, which is open to anyone, and provides the skills and tools to address family and friends who may be in a mental health crisis or developing mental health issues.

What goals do you have for your term as chair?

While our goals to educate and do fundraising remain the same, our focus and methods are very different since the Covid quarantine began. The Endowment Board has continued to encourage and arrange participation in our Discover Bert Nash sessions, which educate our community about the services and programs at Bert Nash — educating others about our services seems even more critical during this period of social isolation. Emily Farley, Development Manager, has done an amazing job in developing this educational programs virtually. In addition, it has been important to continue our fundraising activities so Bert Nash can maintain their programming and services during a time of increased need.

Chris and Jalon Hutchens:

We sat at a Celebrate Bert Nash event four years ago. We looked at each other after the program and said we can’t think of a better way to help people here in Lawrence. The personal nature in which Bert Nash is there for our friends, co-workers, and fellow residents touched our hearts. We decided a long time ago our flag was here in Lawrence, KS. That day we decided it should be planted with Bert Nash. We hope to grow the Celebrate Bert Nash Society and invite others to do the same to make sure Bert Nash is here for families and individuals now and into the future.

Lisa Cyrus, Peer Support Program Manager:

My role at the Bert Nash Center is that of the peer support program manager. I have been with the Bert Nash Center for the past 5 ½ years. Four of those years I spent as a case manager working with clients in the community. I work for the Center because I see its impact in our community. For instance, I have seen individuals who went through multiple psychiatric hospitalizations and homelessness get to a point of obtaining and maintaining stable housing, stable employment, and reconnection with family and other natural supports. And it is the witness of such incredible experiences over and over again that keeps me here. It is that idea of supporting individuals in our community in obtaining something new — a new life.