NAMI Vermont has announced that Laurie Emerson has been appointed to serve as Executive Director to further the organization’s mission to support, educate and advocate so that all communities, families, and individuals affected by mental illness can build better lives. Laurie Emerson comes with a wealth of experience as NAMI Vermont’s Program Director, where she helped to grow their offerings of free classes and support groups all over the state, such as the 12-week Family-to-Family course and The Connection Recovery Support Groups.
Laurie Emerson is joined on staff by Carla Vecchione, who has succeeded her in the Program Director role. Carla comes with a background in working with adults and children with developmental disabilities as well as ten years working for the state of Vermont in Medicaid reimbursement.
Laurie Emerson comments “I am honored to be serving as the Executive Director of NAMI Vermont. I was very fortunate to be involved as the Program Director for the last two years, where I got to know the many volunteers who help us deliver the programs and services for NAMI Vermont. It is such a privilege to work with this grassroots organization who has found courage, compassion, and resiliency in helping others achieve recovery and find hope in their journey. I look forward to collaborating with the many other Vermont mental health organizations to advance our missions.”
NAMI Vermont’s new hires will enjoy new offices in Williston Vermont at 600 Blair Park Road. The move heralds a new era in the organization as they include local affiliates to the state-wide organization, increasing local involvement in signature programs and classes. NAMI Vermont is poised to lead in furthering the voices of peers and family members as they form communities, help one another, and advocate for what works in mental health policy.
NAMI Vermont is a state-wide volunteer organization comprised of family members, friends, and individuals living with a mental illness. We have experienced the struggles and have joined together in membership to help ourselves and others by providing support, information, education and advocacy.
NAMI Vermont began as a spontaneous, grassroots family movement in 1983, just six years after NAMI National was founded. NAMI Vermont was incorporated as a state organization affiliated with NAMI in 1984, and today offers family and peer recovery support groups as well as Family-to-Family, Mental Illness and Recovery, and Provider Education educational classes. With a dedicated board, over one hundred volunteers, and four staff members, NAMI Vermont provides education, advocacy and support to those in need.