The has chosen as the recipient of the 11th Annual Gordon and Sharon Smith New Freedom Award.

SENATOR RON WYDEN (COURTESY OF WWW.WYDEN.SENATE.GOV)

Created by NAMI Oregon in 2009 to honor the mental health advocacy efforts of former United States Senator Gordon Smith and his wife, Sharon, the New Freedom Award is presented annually and recognizes an individual or individuals for their leadership on mental health issues.

������Ƶ and NAMI Oregon leaders were present at Senator Wyden’s award ceremony on October 1 at the Portland Downtown Waterfront Marriott.

“Senator Wyden has been a champion for mental health for many years,” Jim Sechrist, Regional Director of Operations for ������Ƶ’s Oregon programs, said.

As an organization, ������Ƶ is a proud supporter of NAMI and its programs in the communities we serve. Together, we want to continue to raise awareness of the importance of mental health advocacy, reduce the stigma surrounding mental health disorders, and provide resources for those who may be in need of services.

To find your local NAMI chapter, click .

Shown in Photograph:

Back row from left to right:

• David Ochoa, Clinical Director, CATC

• Janet Bardossi, Floating Administrator, Northwest
  Chris Bouneff, Executive Director,

• Jim Sechrist- ������Ƶ Regional Director of Operations

• Megan Chaloupka, Administrator, Gresham Recovery Center

Front row from left to right:

• Lisa Naito, Lobbyist

• Linda Reese, Vice President of Operations, Northwest, ������Ƶ

• Melinda Howard, Administrator, CATC

• Jamie DeRuyter, Administrator, Woodburn Recover Center