named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Holistic Health Series
Educational program offering workshops on mental and physical wellness, including topics like childhood anxiety management (SPACE program), meditation, and trauma-informed care. Sessions are free and open to the community.
OPS Advanced Training
Ongoing skill-building sessions for certified OPS peers to deepen their knowledge in trauma-informed care, resilience, and specialized peer support techniques.
OPS Basics Certification
16-hour foundational training program for first responders to become certified peer supporters. Covers crisis recognition, supportive communication, and resource connection. Offered at no cost.
Overwatch Family Support
Monthly 90-minute support group for family members of first responders, led by peers with lived experience. Designed to provide connection and mutual support in a confidential setting. Launching end of 2026.
Overwatch Peer Support (OPS)
Provides no-cost, confidential peer support for first responders across the Finger Lakes region, including law enforcement, fire, EMS, dispatch, corrections, and related personnel. The program includes certified peer leaders who offer one-on-one support and referrals to professional resources.
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Mental Health Education and Awareness 5 activities
- Advocacy and member engagementProvides advocacy training, distributes the NAMI Advocate magazine, shares local newsletters and event notices, and facilitates member participation in board elections and annual meetings to strengthen community involvement in mental health advocacy.
- Community education and engagement eventsHosts community conversation series and discussion groups using videos and trained facilitators to educate the public on mental health support strategies and resources, fostering community engagement and awareness.
- Free education and skills training programsProvides free, peer-led education and skills training programs for individuals affected by mental illness and their families, including the NAMI Family-to-Family program, a six-week course for parents of children and teens, and an 8-session program for adult family members. Programs are delivered in person and virtually.
- Mental health presentations for schools and youthHosts "Ending the Silence for Families" and other no-cost educational presentations for students, school staff, and parents, focusing on early warning signs of mental illness in youth and available support resources.
- Youth-focused mental health engagement toolsProduces a youth-created podcast and offers an online card game designed by young people to promote peer conversations about mental health and increase engagement with mental health resources.
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24/7 Crisis and Warmline Support Services 1 activity
- Helpline and resource referral servicesOperates a free, peer-staffed HelpLine that returns calls within 24 hours to provide information, resource referrals, and emotional support to individuals, families, caregivers, and mental health providers. Services are available nationally to teens and young adults.
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Volunteer and Professional Training Programs 1 activity
- Peer support services for first respondersProvides no-cost, confidential peer support to first responders in the Finger Lakes region, including a 16-hour certification course for operational peer support (OPS) and advanced skill-building sessions. Also offers a monthly support group for family members of first responders.
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Peer-Led Mental Health Support Groups 1 activity
- Peer-led support groups for families and caregiversOffers peer-led support groups for family members, caregivers, and loved ones of individuals living with mental illness, including specialized groups for partners, spouses, and caregivers of individuals who have experienced psychosis. Groups are conducted in person and online via Zoom, with five scheduled sessions monthly.
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Direct Mental Health Counseling and Support Services 1 activity
- Specialized mental health education for military and veterans’ familiesOffers a free 6-session educational program for family members, friends, and significant others of military service members and veterans, focusing on trauma, PTSD, combat stress, and civilian life transition.
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Community Service Office Operations 1 activity
- Walk-in and by-appointment office hoursOffers regular walk-in office hours on Mondays through Wednesdays and by appointment on Thursdays and Fridays, with additional times available upon request, to provide in-person access to support and resources.
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financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$104K
Contributions & grants$58K56%
Program service revenue$4550%
Investment income$2K2%
Other revenue$43K
expenses
Total expenses$120K
Program expenses100%
Admin / overhead0%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$91K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$166K
Cash$166K
Investments$0
Liabilities$-2K
Net assets$168K
Liquid reserves16.7 mo
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue -13.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
board members · 6
- ARYEAL JACKSON — PRESIDENT
- HOWARD REID — TREASURER
- JONI SPIELHOLZ — MEMBER
- KASSANDRA BAILEY — MEMBER
- MEGGIN ROSE — VICE PRESIDE
- SUZANNE SCHOLTZEN — MEMBER
relationships · 16
Who they work with
- CaptivationHub Partner — Partner platform used for support group registration.
- Cornell University Police Department Partner — Sergeant Blair MacDonald, a police officer at Cornell University Police Department, participates in NAMI programming as a speaker and peer support advocate.
- Elizabeth Ann Clune Montessori School of Ithaca Partner — Liz Allen, Dean of Students at EACMSI and NAMI Finger Lakes board member, co-presents educational programs.
- International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICSF) Partner — Provides certification for OPS Leaders in Assisting Individuals in Crisis and Group Crisis Intervention.
- International OCD Foundation Network — Richard S. Gallagher participated in the International OCD Foundation’s clinical training program and presents on OCD treatment in collaboration with NAMI Finger Lakes.
- MindWell Partner — Dr. Katrina Blomquist practices at MindWell and collaborates with NAMI Finger Lakes on educational programming.
- NAMI Network — Local affiliate of the national NAMI organization, delivering standardized peer-led mental health programs.
- NAMI Network — NAMI Finger Lakes is an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), part of a national network of mental health organizations.
- NAMI NYS Network — NAMI Fingerlakes members are automatically members of NAMI NYS.
- NAMI National Network — NAMI Fingerlakes members are automatically members of NAMI National.
- NAMI New York State Network — Produces a collaborative podcast with NAMI-FingerLakes' youth audience through its Next Gen Youth Council.
- NAMI North Texas Partner — Collaborated on the first OPS training and inspired the NAMI Finger Lakes OPS program.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness Network — Local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
- Sandra Sorensen Partner — Contact person for scheduling appointments and office inquiries.
- South Hill Business Campus Partner — Host site for the in-person Family-to-Family class.
- Upstate Medical University Government — Dr. Joseph Strayhorn is a member of the Psychiatry Faculty Practice at Upstate Medical University and presents for NAMI Finger Lakes.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Culturally Affirming Community Empowermentmethodology: cultural_identity_affirmationBy centering cultural identity and collective wisdom in programming for Black/African Ancestry and immigrant communities, we produce pathways to healing because affirming cultural identity strengthens trust, reduces isolation, and fosters resilience in mental wellness.
- Integrated Support Modelmethodology: integrated_support_modelBy combining advocacy, education, peer support, and public awareness in a unified approach, we improve mental health outcomes because addressing stigma, knowledge gaps, and systemic barriers simultaneously creates synergistic impact.
- Multi-Level Advocacy for Systemic Equitymethodology: multi_level_advocacyBy advocating across local, state, and national levels, we produce equitable access to healthcare, housing, education, and employment for people with mental illness because systemic change requires coordinated pressure and policy influence at multiple governance levels.
- Peer-Led Support and Educationmethodology: peer_led_supportBy delivering mental health support and education through individuals with lived experience of mental illness, we produce more effective engagement and outcomes because shared experience builds trust, reduces stigma, and enhances credibility with participants.