Dear NAMI Finger Lakes Friends,



You may have heard that NAMI Finger Lakes closed our office in March. We’d like to assure you that the organization is thriving and continues to provide the programs and services our community has come to expect for over 35 years.



As you know, the COVID-19 Pandemic presented all of us with challenges to overcome, and at the same time an opportunity to re-evaluate how best to meet the needs of those we serve. After much deliberation and implementation of money-saving measures since 2020, the NAMI Finger Lakes Board of Directors chose to close the physical space we’ve occupied on Cayuga St. in Ithaca for three years. It was our assessment that office expenses for a space that was underutilized into the foreseeable future was not the best use of NAMI FL funds.



NAMI Finger Lakes is an independent affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. We’re responsible for our own funding and operations. Our costs are covered by grants, fundraising events and generous gifts from people like you. This covers operational expenses and one part-time Executive Director. Our budget is tight and, we were going to have to commit to another one-year lease, so we took the difficult step of leaving the office.



While our space was very nice, we haven’t been able to fully utilize it in over two years. Since March of 2020, almost all of our support groups and classes have transitioned to the online environment, which has given us a greater reach in the community, and public venues are used for in-person events at this time. 



Our Support Line is always available and answered by NAMI FL volunteers who have been there and understand the experience of navigating a loved one’s mental health condition. You can always reach out there at 607-273-2462 when you need support. General information can be obtained by calling Executive Director, Beth McGee, at 607-288-2460 or emailing [email protected].



This may feel like a step backwards, but please bear with us. As stewards of the organization, this decision was in the financial interest of NAMI FL. Ideally, we’ll find an affordable, accessible space with room for a small office and area for support and education. And maybe even ample parking! If you have or know of a single or shared space like this, please reach out to us. In the meantime, we are planning to re-instate the in-person socials starting this summer when we can hold them outdoors. I hope to see some of you at those events.



Sincerely, 



Deb Grantham

President 

NAMI Finger Lakes