LETTER FROM OUR CEO
Dear NAMI Broward County Community,
As we commemorated NAMI Broward County’s 40th anniversary in 2024, I am honored to reflect on our journey and share the remarkable strides we’ve made in mental health advocacy, support, and education. This milestone not only marks four decades of dedication but also highlights our unwavering commitment to improving the quality of life for individuals affected by mental illness and their families.
Over the past year, our organization has embraced innovation and collaboration to meet the evolving needs of our community. We have expanded our support groups, educational programs, and outreach initiatives, ensuring that our services are accessible to all who seek assistance. Our dedicated volunteers and staff have worked tirelessly to provide empathy, understanding, and practical resources, embodying NAMI’s mission at every turn.
2024 Highlights:
• Community Impact: Reached 9,200 individuals, a 44% increase from 2023, demonstrating our growing influence in the community.
• Signature Programs: Delivered 1,850 hours of programming, enhancing 128 individual lives through our Peer-to- Peer and Mentor-to-Mentee programs.
• Support Groups: Conducted share experiences and gain support.
• Warm Line Support: Experienced a support they needed.
These accomplishments are a testament to the collective efforts of our volunteers, members, donors, and partners. Your unwavering support has been instrumental in driving our mission forward and breaking the stigma surrounding mental health.
As we look ahead, we remain steadfast in our vision of a world where mental health conditions, stigma, illness does not impede a person’s potential. We will continue to advocate for early intervention, accessible services, and comprehensive support systems, striving for a future where prevention and cure are within reach. We are deeply grateful for our volunteers and the incredible community that makes this work possible. We look forward to an even greater impact in 2025!
With gratitude and hope,
DR. JOE ORAVECZ, PH.D. CEO, NAMI BROWARD COUNTY
LETTER FROM OUR BOARD PRESIDENT
Dear NAMI Broward County Volunteers, Allies, and Advocates,
As the President of the NAMI Broward County Board, I am writing to express my heartfelt thanks and deep gratitude for your unwavering dedication and support throughout 2024. Your commitment to our mission has made a significant impact on the behavioral health of our community, and for that, we are profoundly grateful.
This past year has been a testament to the power of collaboration and the strength of our community. Our volunteers have tirelessly given their time and energy, our allies have stood by us in solidarity, and our advocates have raised their voices to champion the cause of mental health. Together, we have made strides in providing support, education, and advocacy for individuals and families affected by mental illness.
As we look ahead to 2025, we recognize that the landscape of funding availability is shifting. Despite these changes, the needs of our community continue to grow. It is in times like these that our partnership becomes even more crucial. We are confident that, with your continued support, we can navigate these challenges and continue to make a positive impact on the lives of those we serve.
Thank you for your unwavering commitment to NAMI Broward County. Your efforts have not only helped to improve the lives of many but have also strengthened the fabric of our community. We look forward to continuing our work together in 2025 and beyond, as we strive to create a world where all individuals affected by mental illness can experience hope, recovery, and wellness.
With deepest gratitude,
LISA RUGGIERI 2025 BOARD PRESIDENT
NAMI BROWARD: MENTAL HEALTH FOR ALL
With 2024 marking 40 years of NAMI Broward, we are proud to celebrate 40 years of impact, innovation, support, and mental health for all in our community.
OUR MISSION
Dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with mental illness and their families through support, education, and advocacy.
OUR VISION
In our envisioned future, mental illness will no longer thwart a person’s fulfillment of their potential. With early pinpoint diagnoses, interventions and targeted medications and services, there is no pervasive disability. Ultimately, we envision a day when prevention or a cure is found.
DONATE NOW
SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH FOR ALL IN BROWARD COUNTY!
IMPACT AT A GLANCE
NAMI Broward’s Impactful Reach
Through programming, community events and more, NAMI Broward reached 9,207 people in 2024.
We answer the call
The NAMI Broward Helpline received 1,546 calls supporting our community’s needs.
Connecting with our community
NAMI Broward connects with our community and supporters through our events program
Broward County
NAMI Broward reached far and wide across Broward County; check out the map to see our footprint
9,207 People Reached in our Comunity
From 2023: +44%
Mental Health for All
Thanks to NAMI Broward’s advocacy, the following municipalities declared May as Mental Health Awareness Month:
• Coconut Creek
• Coral Springs
• Fort Lauderdale
• Lauderdale Lakes
• Lauderhill
• North Lauderdale
• Parkland
• Plantation
• Sunrise
• Tamarac
• Wilton Manors
NAMI Broward Programming, Event, or Proclamation
POWERFUL PROGRAMMING
“Debbie was sensational. She is an excellent facilitator and brought a lot of value to the meeting. She was kind, compassionate, considerate and most of all effective. It was the kind of meeting that I have been seeking and I found a lot of comfort and value in the discussion that she led.”
“The Mentoring program has really been helping me. There are still things I need to work on. I’m not where I want to be yet, but this program has been helping me to get there.”
PEER TO PEER
1,322 Hours
86 Graduates
“I wanted to reach out to say that I am beyond grateful to have found NAMI during one of the worst times of my life. I am truly grateful for your organization and the people that work there. Getting assigned to Jessica for the mentor to mentee program was truly a blessing. She has been able to help me more than any licensed therapist I’ve encountered thus far.”
MENTOR TO MENTEE
528 Hours
42 Mentees
Trained NAMI volunteers bring peer-led programs to your community. With the unique understanding of people with lived experience, these programs provide outstanding free education, skills training and support.
NAMI support groups are peer-led and offer participants an opportunity to share their experiences and gain support from other attendees.
COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS
Trained NAMI volunteers bring peerled presentations to your community. With the unique understanding of people with lived experience, these programs provide outstanding free education, skills training and support.
NAMIWalks is about people who think nothing of giving everythingtheir time, their stories, their heartfelt dedication to the cause: Mental Health for All. Our annual 5K walk fuels mental health awareness and lets people know they are not alone!
Funds raised from this event help us reach our goal of helping the thousands in Broward County with mental health conditions and their families/caregivers by providing support services they need at no cost.
37 Impact Partners
101 Teams
1,050+ Participants
TOTAL RAISED: $172,750 (includes in-kind donations)
Artful Minds is dedicated to igniting conversations surrounding mental health and wellness, and inspiring hope through art. Every piece of art displayed at the event is curated by an artist living with a mental health condition/diagnosis or who address the theme of mental health through their art.
This unique exhibit of art and live performances inspires our guests and leaves them with a better understanding of the artists’ personal journeys with mental health and their paths to recovery.
12 Impact Partners 158 Tickets Sold TOTAL RAISED: $41,000 (includes in-kind donations)
NAMI BROWARD IN THE NEWS
Leading with the message of “Mental Health for All”, NAMI Broward was featured across multiple news media platforms, including live reporting, sit-down interviews, in-depth articles in print and digital media, and social media coverage across Broward County.
NAMI BROWARD’S SOCIAL INSIGHTS
Our social media presence has amplified NAMI Broward’s reach, expanded brand awareness and sparked impactful conversations around mental health and wellness. With growth across all of our social platforms, most notably LinkedIn, we’ve seen increases in impressions, engagements, and followers—helping us connect with more individuals, inspire support, and strengthen our community’s commitment to breaking the stigma.
$100,000+
$20,000$25,000
$15,000$20,000
$11,000$14,999
$10,000
$5,000$9,999
$2,500$4,999
$2,499
THANK YOU TO OUR 2024 IMPACT PARTNERS
$500$999
PARTNERING WITH NAMI BROWARD COUNTY
Imagine a Broward County where mental health is prioritized, understood, and supported by every corner of our community. At NAMI Broward County, we are dedicated to making this vision a reality, providing essential resources, educational programs, and community support to break down stigma and empower individuals and families affected by mental health challenges. Yet, we know that this work cannot be accomplished alone.
We are extremely grateful for these forward-thinking companies who have joined us as Impact Partners. By supporting NAMI Broward, they are making a visible, transformative commitment to mental health advocacy in Broward County. Through their partnership, their company is at the forefront of critical mental health initiatives, demonstrating to their employees, clients, and the community that they “walk the talk” in support of mental wellness for all.
YOUR INVITATION TO LEAD THE WAY – JOIN US
Your partnership with NAMI Broward County is more than a sponsorship—it’s a commitment to action, advocacy, and transformation. As an Impact Partner, your company will be a visible leader in mental health support, inspiring others to prioritize mental wellness for all.
Together, let’s make Broward County a beacon of mental health awareness, resilience, and empathy. If you are not already an Impact Partner, we would be honored to connect in person to further discuss how your partnership can make a difference. Join us in creating a community where mental health is valued and supported for every individual and family.
To learn more about becoming a NAMI Broward County Impact Partner, please reach out to Dr. Joe Oravecz, Ph.D, CEO at drjoeoravecz@namibroward.org.
THANK YOU TO OUR 2024 INDIVIDUAL DONORS
$2,500 – $5,000
Emily Cahill
Aaron Cutright
David Donnellan
Allan Dupuis
Lisa Ruggieri
Justin Scruggs
Marc Sundook
Michael Udine
$1,000 – $2,499
Kristen Bender
Blanca Bichara
Michelle Blair
Susan Bustos
Carlos Butler
Anabel Cardenas
Orlando Carrillo
Catholic Foundation of North GA Inc.
Gary Cohen
Richard Donnellan
Elizabeth Falk
Clint Fletcher
Sebastian Gonzalez
Britten Grayden
Lisset Hernandez
Monica Hertzbach
Jackie Linn
John Linn
Katy Lund
Susan Manning
Joan Osborne
Lucy Pena
Eunice Pierre-Louis
Michele Prues
Conrad Roth
Susan Rubenstein
Peter Scerbo
Peyton Schools
Kat Stevenson
Bridgitte Stuart
Jill Taylor
Debbie Teate
$
$500 – $999
Adi Bernstein
Marcelo Borges
Maria Borrell
Karen Burnside
Janet Bushell
Charles Capper
Jeanne Charles
Daniel Cole
Cynthia Cornell
Robert Dinneen
Paul Donnellan
Elaine Eachus
Edna Einhorn
Gary Gonzalez
Kristen Guerrise
Suzanne Higgins
Robb Hough
Paul Jaquith
Diane Lade
Mark Mazzurci
Herb and Niki Plaut
Lara Underwood
$250 – $499
John Allette
John Bloomfield
Woody Clermont
Gayle Giese
Amy Goldstein
Joseph Goldstein
Andrew Gooding
Lesmes Granda
Jane Holguin
Richard Horner
Howard Karawan
Michael Klevens
John Linn
Alyce Menton
Jose Morey
Tracey Mustacchio
Antoinette Patterson
Ruth Rothwell
Sandra Sneed
Gary Spulak
Denise Taylor
Deborah Williams
$101 – $249
Omair Abbasi
Michael Adrian
Jose Alvarenga
Frank Arce
Steven Arntzen
Linsey Avila
Karen Beer
Shana Belyeu
Darian Benotmane
Lori Birkeneder
Zahidee Blanco
Lori Blue
Leana Bresnahan
Jerry Burakoff
Erin Carlson
Becky Carter
Paul Conover
Janet Copland
Sharon Crum
Phil DeVeronica
Sergio Donikian
Piero Falci
Lauren Famularo
Fidelity Brokerage Services
Suzette Fleischmann
Elizabeth Beckford Garcia
Gina Golden
Angela Greggs
Jennifer Haley
MaryFrances Heller
Denise Hillburn
Julie Kaplan
Gayle Kapouch
Alicia Kelley
Linda Lathroum
Brit Lundell
Robin and Rick McDaniel
Debra McLaughlin
Dori Neuwirth
Margo Newbold
Brenda Okyn
Ruthann Osborne
Beverley Powell
APRN, PMHNP
Christina Rodriguez
Maria Elena
Rodríguez
Michelle Rogers
Karen Rosario
Charles Schwab
Hope Sewell
Jorge Luis Sotelo
Julie Soviero
Kevin Terry
Tammy Tucker
Amy Webb
Kathleen Weinert
Laurie Zeitlin
NAMI BROWARD COUNTY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Lisa Ruggieri PRESIDENT
Maggie DeCambre Borges VICE PRESIDENT
Eunice Pierre-Louis TREASURER & INTERNAL COMMITEE CHAIR
Susan Agemy
SECRETARY, FUNDRAISING CHAIR
Judith Miller
GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE CHAIR
Blake Cohen
EXTERNAL RELATIONS CHAIR
Dr. Joan Osborn BOARD MEMBER
Dr. Andre Caruso BOARD MEMBER
David Scharf BOARD MEMBER
Lara Underwood BOARD MEMBER
Tammy Tucker, Psy.D. BOARD MEMBER
Suzette Fleischmann, LMHC BOARD MEMBER
John Linn
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
OFFICE LEADERSHIP
Dr. Joe Oravecz
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Sylvie Sterlin PROGRAM MANAGER
Mazlanovich Joseph OFFICE COORDINATOR
Cindy Amireh OFFICE ASSISTANT
