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Hi ,
Fall is in full swing at NAMI CCNS, and we have a lot to be excited for.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 10 — NAMIWalks is back, and we want the whole community out there with us.
Join us at Gallery Park in Glenview for a morning of fun, festivities, and fundraising for mental health! Every step funds free mental health education, support groups, and advocacy for families across the north suburbs.
Together, we've raised nearly $30,000. We're 58% of the way toward our goal, and we need your help to get to the finish line.
Whether you walk, donate, or cheer from the sidelines, you're helping us reach people when they need it most.
Let's walk for mental health, together.
With gratitude,
Dr. Laura Piel Martín
Executive Director, NAMI CCNS
Keep reading for all the details on what's ahead. |
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What You Need to Know about Walking with Us |
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Whether you've walked with NAMI CCNS before or you're joining for the first time, here's everything you need to know to plan your day.
The basics
Schedule:
The walk will happen rain or shine! Start or join a team today and help us get to our $50,000 goal before October 10. |
| Register now |
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Do I need to register in advance?
Advance registration helps us plan for the day, so we always appreciate it if you can register before October 10. That said, you're more than welcome to show up and register on-site the morning of.
Registering your kids in advance helps but isn't required.
Is there a cost, or a minimum donation to attend?
NAMIWalks CCNS is free to attend, and there's no minimum donation required to walk.
Every dollar raised goes toward NAMI's mission of mental health advocacy, education, and support in our community, but showing up and walking is a meaningful way to participate on its own.
What's the walk itself like?
The route is about three kilometers (about 1.9 miles), laid out along Gallery Park's paved paths. It's scenic, stroller-friendly, and easy to manage for walkers of all ages and abilities. The park is also dog-friendly.
What else are we doing?
We want NAMIWalks CCNS to feel like a community celebration, not just a walk. We'll have snacks and refreshments, face painting, a raffle, merch, and live music to keep the day alive.
We'll also be hosting a costume contest! We'll vote on the best green costumes in support of mental health awareness. Green is the internationally recognized color for mental health awareness, and wearing or displaying green is a simple, visible way to show support, spark conversation, and reduce stigma around mental illness.
How can I make a day of it?
Gallery Park sits right in the middle of some of Glenview's best family destinations, so there's no need to rush home after the walk:
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The Glen Town Center, right nearby, has shopping, restaurants, and a movie theater if you want to grab lunch after the walk.
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Gallery Park itself has playgrounds, a hedge maze, trails, tennis and pickleball courts, and beautiful lake views to explore if you're not ready to head home yet.
Ready to join us?
Register at namiwalks.org/ccns, or show up at Gallery Park on October 10. We can't wait to walk with you.
Questions? Reach NAMI CCNS at (847) 716-2252 or hello@namiccns.org. |
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Help Us Reach Our Fundraising Goal — Donate to NAMIWalks Today |
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NAMIWalks is coming up, and we're 58% of the way to our $50,000 goal! Every dollar raised goes directly toward free programs like Family-to-Family, support groups, and mental health education right here in our community, where more families than ever are turning to NAMI CCNS for support.
You can make an impact today: donate directly, set a personal fundraising goal, or ask friends and family to support your walk or team. If you haven't registered, there's still time to walk, join a team, or start one of your own.
Every step at the NAMI Walk helps fund free programs like Family-to-Family, support groups, and mental health education across our community. Whether you walk solo, join a team, or simply donate, you help ensure support is there for anyone who needs it. |
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Ready to help us hit our goal?
Click the button below to donate, register, or start fundraising for your team today. |
| Register, Donate, or Form a Team Here |
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Questions about NAMIWalks? We're here to help you every step of the way — reach out to Reema Saleh at reema@namiccns.org. |
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Help Us Spread the Word
Not everyone reading this will donate today, but almost everyone can help us close the gap by sharing. Forward this newsletter to a family member, post about NAMIWalks in your workplace channels, social media, or simply mention it to a friend. Every donation, big or small, brings us closer to our $50,000 goal — and reaching new donors starts with you talking about it.
We're counting on your support to close the gap this year. Thank you for being part of it. |
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Thank You to NAMIWalks Event Sponsor, Sperling Kenny Nachwalter, LLC! |
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We Want to Partner with You!
NAMI CCNS is Still Accepting New Sponsors for NAMIWalks. |
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Every year, businesses across our community help make NAMIWalks possible, and their support does more than fund a single event. Sponsorship dollars go directly toward free programs like Family-to-Family, support groups, and mental health education that families in our area rely on year-round. In return, sponsors gain visibility with hundreds of engaged community members, along with recognition across our event materials and communications.
If your business or employer is interested in becoming a NAMIWalks sponsor this year, reach out to Laura Piel Martín at laura@namiccns.org or Reema Saleh at reema@namiccns.org and we'll send over our sponsorship packet with all the details.
Prefer a different way to get involved? Businesses can also support us through in-kind donations or by forming a company walk team for event day. |
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September Recurring Support Groups & Programs |
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Whether you're living with a mental health condition or supporting someone who is, NAMI Cook County North Suburban offers free support groups throughout September. All programs are free, confidential, and led by trained facilitators with lived experience. |
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NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group
NAMI Connections is a free, peer-led support group program for adults working on mental health recovery. You will gain insight from hearing the challenges and successes of others. The groups are led by NAMI-trained facilitators who’ve been there.
Online - NAMI Connection Recovery ZOOM Links
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Mondays | 4:00–5:30 PM
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Saturdays | 4:00–5:30 PM
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NAMI Veterans Support Group
This support group is for veterans living with a mental illness or mental health issues and Gold Star Families. Share problems you are facing and learn how others have dealt with the same issues. In a confidential environment, share your concerns and ask questions about housing, medications, government programs, therapists, transitioning from military to civilian life and anything else troubling you. You can talk with no fear of stigma or shame. No registration, just walk in. You will be welcomed!
In Person - Click Here for Meeting Details
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NAMI Family Support Group
NAMI’s Family Support Group is a peer-led support group for any adult with a loved one who has experienced symptoms of a mental health condition. Gain insight from the challenges and successes of others facing similar experiences.
Online - NAMI Family Support ZOOM Links
Hybrid (In Person & Online) - NAMI Family Support ZOOM Links and Meeting Info
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NAMI Balance for Success
This support group is designed to balance recovery from a mental illness with life at college or work. Focus is on the challenges that come with balancing the everyday pressures of work or college life and living with a diagnosed mental illness.
Online - NAMI Balance for Success ZOOM Links
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Grief & Loss Support Group
When a person with mental illness is no longer with us, it’s natural to grieve. Through the Grief and Support group, participants find healthy ways of remembering and honoring someone they care about. You will find a community of others who understand your pain, and like you, are learning to let go, needing to let go of blame and becoming whole again.
Online - NAMI Grief & Loss ZOOM Links
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| Click Here to View Full NAMI CCNS Event & Program Calendar |
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NAMI CCNS will be at Glenbrook Fest on Saturday, September 19 |
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Time: 12:00 - 5:00 PM
Location: Harms Woods Grove #1, Glenview IL
Tickets and More Info: www.glenbrookfest.org
Want to register or make a donation to NAMIWalks in-person?
Stop by the NAMI CCNS table at Glenbrook Fest to sign up or donate to NAMI CCNS 2026 NAMIWalks. |
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Help Us Continue to Serve Our Community
There are so many ways to help us continue serving our community — and every one of them makes a difference.
Become a Teacher
Sign up to become a Family-to-Family or Peer-to-Peer Teacher and help guide others through their mental health journey.
Email hkendall@namiccns.org to learn more.
Volunteer
Lend a hand at NAMIWalks or one of our other community events — we couldn't do it without volunteers like you.
Attend an Event
Join us at a NAMI CCNS event, support group, or class, and be part of building a stronger, more connected community.
Spread the Word
Share our mission with friends, family, and neighbors. Helping others learn about our resources is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to support our work.
Make a Donation
Your financial contribution directly supports our mission to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness through support, education, advocacy, and research. Everything we do at NAMI CCNS is only possible because of people like you.
On behalf of the NAMI CCNS Team and those we serve — thank you for being a vital part of our community!
To make a donation, click the button below. |
| Donate Today |
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Copyright © 2026 NAMI CCNS, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
NAMI CCNS
8324 Skokie Blvd
Skokie, Illinois 60077
United States
Our email address is:
hello@namiccns.org
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