About Us

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:

Call or text 988 to be connected with a trained crisis counselor. Reach by web chat at 988lifeline.org/chat

Who We Are

Our Mission: NAMI Syracuse strives to better the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness through advocacy, support, public awareness, and education.

Our History: In May 1981, 12 people met to form PROMISE, an acronym for “Parents and Relatives Of the Mentally Ill Supporting Each other.” By 1984, PROMISE had grown to include a Board of Directors with by-laws, incorporation as a non-profit, and had become a member of NAMI-NYS and the national NAMI organization. Eventually the name was changed to NAMI-PROMISE and most recently to NAMI Syracuse.

NAMI Syracuse Today: NAMI Syracuse is an affiliate of NAMI-NYS and NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Today, NAMI Syracuse is a vital and active non-profit advocacy organization with a membership of over 500 families. In 1998, PROMISE Residential Project, Inc. was established and manages two houses to serve persons with mental illness.

NAMI Syracuse provides:

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Monthly Support Group Meetings

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Information and Resources through our NAMI Syracuse office

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Bimonthly NAMI Syracuse newsletter

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Family-to-Family, a free 8 week family support and education program

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A free speakers bureau of family members, peers, and professionals who will do presentations about mental illness and the stigma associated with mental illness

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Events including educational conferences, speaking engagements at churches/schools/organizations, social engagements, and our main fundraising event, the Hopela Raffle

Would you like to help people and change lives? If so, inquire about joining NAMI Syracuse as a volunteer program facilitator to deliver education and support to those who need it. Contact the NAMI Syracuse office at (315) 487-2085 or namisyracuse@namisyracuse.org on weekdays between 10 AM and 2 PM to reach a NAMI staff member.

VIEW OUR PRIVACY POLICY

VIEW OUR IRS 990 STATEMENT

990 Statement

NAMI Syracuse Personnel 2025

Officers

Lisa Smith

Acting President

Joeseph Ridgway

Vice President

Lynn Spagnola Fofi

Secretary

Christopher DeVoe

Treasurer

Staff

Scott Herron

Executive Director

Ann Canastra

Signature Programs Coordinator

Jeremy Montague

NAMI Syracuse Office Manager

Melinda Agnew

Minority Outreach Coordinator

Board of Directors

Melinda Agnew

Tom Bassett

Maggie Bristol

Ann Canastra

Sandra Carter

Laura Crawford

Chris DeVoe

Patty Duffy

Lauren Giannetti

Carrie Rewakowski

Peg Kelley

Linda Lazzari

Joe Ridgway

Lisa Smith

Lynn Spagnola Fofi

Hank Wilcox

Timothy Woodruff

Consultants to Board

Marla Byrnes

Dr. Raslaan Nizar

Mary B. Oyer-Dunnewold

Sheila LeGacy

NAMI Syracuse

We are here for you.

This is an awesome place! If you have a loved one or you yourself are struggling Nami is a great place to provide information, and support groups.”

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