Annual Mental Health Vigil

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This vigil is held annually during May which marks Mental Health Awareness Month. The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Kenosha County and Bridges Community Center coordinate the event.

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​Each year members of the community are recognized for their achievements and advocacy with the following awards:
  • David Wagner Mental Health Advocacy Award
  • Community Service Award
  • Exceptional Volunteer Award  
Current year and past year award recipients are listed below.
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2019 Kenosha County Annual Mental Health Vigil
May 15, 2019
5 pm Bridges Community Center
6PM Civic Center Park - awards and Keynote speaker Lily Karnes, 2019 Miss Kenosha
Sheridan Rd and 57th Street (across from Post Office)

​Karnes plans to use her year as Miss Kenosha to educate students with her platform of knowing the signs of depression and anxiety and dissolving the stigma surrounding them.“I’m going to educate as many people who will listen,” Karnes said. “I’m going to let people know it’s OK.” Source - Kenosha News.

Community members honored
Wednesday's mental health vigil also featured community members who were recognized for their advocacy, service and volunteerism. The Wilson Elementary 5th Grade choir also sang. Honors for 2019 were bestowed on:
  • Jeannine Field, CEO of Kenosha Human Development Services, who received the David Wagner Mental Health Advocacy award
  • Brad Cramlet, a nurse at the Community Support Program and the Comprehensive Community Services of Kenosha Human Development Services, who received the Community Service Award
  • The late Tim Puhr, a volunteer at the Bridges Community Center, who received the Exceptional Volunteer Award. Accepting on his behalf was his brother, Patrick.
  • Special recognition was given to Jack and Sue Rose, and Dick and Dee Guenther for their many years of “selfless commitment to NAMI and Bridges and people living with mental illness,” said Janet DeLeo, co-president of the local mental health alliance. Jack Rose, a city alderman, is a past president of the local mental health alliance.

Link to the full story at Kenosha News.
​Kenosha County Annual Mental Health Vigil
May 23, 2018 6PM
Civic Center Park
Sheridan Rd and 57th Street (across from Post Office)

Tiffany Konecko, 2016 Mrs. Wisconsin, was this years guest speaker. Tiffany Konecko found herself in a dark place six years ago after the birth of her first child.
The Mount Pleasant mother of two and the 2016 Mrs. Wisconsin, who was the featured speaker at a Wednesday vigil in Civic Center Park to promote mental health awareness, didn’t know what was happening to her as she struggled with postpartum depression.

The Wednesday night vigil, observed as part of Mental Health Awareness Month, was coordinated by Bridges Community Center and the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Kenosha County. The vigil also featured the Wilson Elementary fifth grade choir, which performed “Just One Candle” and “Lean on Me.”
  • Kari Foss, director of the Community Intervention Center for Kenosha Human Development Services, who received the David Wagner Mental Health Advocacy Award.
  • Jane Nudi, house manager at the Kenosha Adult Residential Emergency Center, who received the Community Service Award.
  • David Haunstein, Bridges Community Center volunteer and center board member, who received the Exceptional Volunteer Award.
event_focuses_on_mental_health_awareness_|_local_news_|_kenoshanews.com.pdf
 Kenosha County Annual Mental Health Vigil
May 17, 2017 6PM
Civic Center Park


  • David Wagner Mental Health Advocacy Award-Lisa Haen, MS - Kenosha Human Development Services.
  • Community Service Award - Jane Davis Community Coordinator Extraordinaire
  • Exceptional Volunteer Award  - Janet DeLeo, NAMI Kenosha County
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Kaitlyn Rhey was the keynote speaker for the event.  Kaitlyn is the 2017 Miss Kenosha, and her platform is Advocating Positive Mental Health, and she is a card carrying member of NAMI.​

​kenosha_news_nami_vigil_article_5.18.2017.pdf
David Wagner - Mental Health Advocacy Award
 Lisa Haen, MS – Kenosha Human Development Services (KHDS)
Since starting at KHDS in 1995, Lisa has been committed to helping and advocating for people in need.  For many years she worked with adolescents, becoming an expert in the Teaching-Family Model.  In 2003, she began managing supportive housing for the homeless and implemented a crisis stabilization program for people at risk of re-hospitalization.  In 2009 Lisa earned a Master’s Degree in Community Mental Health with the intent to bring recovery programs to KHDS.  Over the last ten years, Lisa has helped write, develop, and implement numerous programs to include the Community Support Program, the Comprehensive Community Services Program, and the Homeless Youth Project, among others. Lisa battles daily to end the stigma associated with mental health by recognizing the illness does not define the person.
 
Presented by Bridges Community Center and NAMI Kenosha County May 17, 2017
​Community Service Award
 
Jane Davis,  Community Coordinator Extraordinaire
Jane organized the first Oxford House for Women, Lena House.  As a member of CUSH, Jane chaired the “11X15” Task Force that was instrumental in obtaining more state funding for treatment alternative and diversion programs.  She now chairs Restoring Our Communities (ROC) that works to restore our formerly incarcerated individuals and their families to health.  ROC is working locally to expand access to self-governed, sober housing and remove the barriers to employment for those who are returning to the community after a period of incarceration and need a chance at a job.  Jane is Secretary of CUSH.  She also serves on the NAMI Kenosha board and is the Coordinator for the Kenosha/Racine Oxford Houses that now number four. Jane is truly admired and respected by the people she serves and the Kenosha County community.
 
Presented by Bridges Community Center and NAMI Kenosha County May 17, 2017
​Exceptional Volunteer Award
 
Janet DeLeo, NAMI Kenosha County 
A member of the NAMI Kenosha Board since 2014, Janet has lead the charge to bring NAMI to the western part of our county.  She has initiated Family to Family in 2015 at the County Center building.  Her advocacy and perserverance initiated a Family and Friends support group at the same facility.  Janet continues to serve as the coordinator for our annual fund drive at Marv’s Marketplace in Twin Lakes. Since 2015, Janet and her husband Mike have coordinated the annual Christmas Party for follks living with mental illness and their families.  The 2016 event hosted 185 guests served by 35 volunteers for an festive afternoon of fellowship and good will.
 
Presented by Bridges Community Center and NAMI Kenosha County May 17, 2017
AWARD RECIPIENTS
2017
  • David Wagner Mental Health Advocacy Award - Lisa Haen, MS  - Kenosha Human Development Services
  • Community Service Award - Jane Davis - Kenosha/Racine Oxford House Coordinator
  • Exceptional Volunteer Award - Janet DeLeo – NAMI Kenosha County

2016
During this year's vigil Carol Slovachek was a featured guest speaker. Carol spoke about her experience with mental illness.  To read Carol's story, click here.
  • David Wagner Mental Health Advocacy Award..... Officer Luke Hoffman, Kenosha Police Dept for his work with the Crisis Intervention Team in training, presentations, and actions during crisis situations.
  • Community Service Award........ Dr Herbert Roehrich, MD for his service to patients, especially those who lack resources to seek help.
  • Exceptional Volunteer Award.... Kris Coen,  NAMI Kenosha County Webmaster for her work in designing the NAMI Kenosha County website.

2015
David Wagner Mental Health Advocacy Award ....   Jeff Gaffey, Bridges Community Center
Community Service Award ....   Lolita Moody, Program Manager Columbus House
Exceptional Volunteer ....   Betsy Garwood, Bridges Community Center

2014
David Wagner......  Sgt John Rohde, Kenosha Police Dept
Community Service...Dawn Zorn, RN - Community Support Program
Exceptional Volunteer... Dianne Gedgaudas, NAMI Kenosha County Board of Directors

2013
David Wagner......MIdhele Grasso, KHDS Benefit Specialist
Community Service..... Dr Mathew McCarthy, MD
Exceptional Volunteer..... Maria "Ceci" Giraldo, NAMI Kenosha Family to Family (Spanish)

2012
David Wagner....... Ginger Helgeson, KHDS Community Outreach
Community Service....Brian Deneka, KHDS Crisis Manager
Exceptional Volunteer.... Adalia Shchurowsky

2011
David Wagner..... Walter Stern, Attorney-at-Law
Community Service.... Elizabeth "Betty" Tostrud,  KARE Center "Matriarch"
Exceptional Volunteer....Clifford Stigall, Bridges Community Center

2010
David Wagner.....Senator Bob Wirch, Representative Peter Barca, Representative John Steinbrink (State Mental Health Parity) Wisconsin Act 218 (4-29-10)
Community Service ..... Jim Truchan, Mental Health & Protective Services Manager (DADS Kenosha County)
Exceptional Volunteer..... Karen Norton, Bridges Community Center (Posthumously)

2009
David Wagner...Carol Slovachek, NAMI Kenosha County
Community Service Award.... Robin Rupp, Excecutive Director, Bridges Community Center
Exceptional Volunteer.....Dewayne Gardner, Bridges Community Center

2008
David Wagner..... Fran Coleman, Bridges Community Center & NAMI Kenosha County (First David Wagner Mental Health Advocacy Award)
Community Service ...... L. Byron Wright, Executive Director, Kenosha Human Development Services
Exceptional Volunteer..... Kevin Gwozdz, Bridges Community Center

2007
Lifetime of Service Recognition Award.......... Ron Frederick, Director Disability Services, Kenosha County 
Exceptional Consumer..... Howard Forkash, Bridges Community Center
Exceptional Volunteer..... Carlen Kielisch, NAMI Kenosha County Adolescent Support FacilitatorDavid Wagner Mental Health Advocacy Award
            Lisa Haen, MS  - Kenosha Human Development Services
Community Service Award
            Jane Davis - Kenosha/Racine Oxford House Coordinator
Exceptional Volunteer Award
            Janet DeLeo – NAMI Kenosha County