What’s Happening at NAMI NoVA? Important updates inside

December 2025ABOUT USNEED HELPWAYS TO GIVE

Hold the Line

Our 2025 Annual Campaign

We are halfway through our 2025 Hold the Line annual campaign. To the over 100 people that have contributed so far, THANK YOU!

WHY HOLD THE LINE?

Our community is hurting. “Reduced” out of jobs, fear over Medicaid and other funding cuts, uncertainty if neighbors or themselves might be picked up… and so much more… weighs on us all. In 2025, NAMI Northern Virginia has experienced an almost 65% increase in requests for support, education, and HOPE.

Together, we can meet the needs of our neighbors that need it most. Together, we can hold the line – but to do that, we need your dedication, your sense of purpose, and your support.

For over 48 years, we have relied on the support of our community so we can offer no cost mental health support, education, and advocacy. The need for our life-saving, critical services is greater than ever. 

Hold the Line with us. Help us continue to offer HOPE.

Donate NowHOLD THE LINE WITH US – Donate Now

WEDNESDAY in HERNDON

In Our Own Voice for Youth & Young Adults 

Open and Free for the Public – NAMI Northern Virginia is proud to partner with Floris United Methodist Church for this presentation.

Registration required. If a young person under the age of 16 is attending without a parent or guardian, a permission form found HERE must be completed in advance.

During In Our Own Voice for Youth & Young Adults presentations, young adults with mental health conditions share their powerful personal stories in order to change attitudes, assumptions, and stereotypes. Presentations provide:

  • A first-hand account of what it’s like to live with a mental health condition. Our young adult presenters humanize this misunderstood topic by demonstrating that it’s possible – and common – to live well with a mental illness.
  • A chance to ask the presentersquestions, which allows for a deeper understanding of mental health conditions.
  • The understanding that every person living with a mental illness can hope for a bright future.

In Our Own Voice for Youth & Young Adults is best suited for audiences between the ages of 14-30. 

Registration is required. You will be sent the address in Herndon after registering.REGISTER HEREYOUTH PERMISSION SLIP

Volunteer Appreciation Brunch

Last Saturday, we took time to celebrate our amazing, dedicated volunteers with a year-end brunch.

Both long time volunteers and some of our newly trained and onboarded team members came together in community to celebrate our wins and prepare for the year ahead.

Our thanks to the incredible Zak Sandler for performing part of his autobiographical solo musical, “Inside My Head.”

Congratulations to our volunteer award winners:

Mike – Board of Directors Award

Carol and Joan – Spirit of NAMI Northern Virginia Award

Our volunteers are the lifeline of NAMI NoVA. Thank you for your selfless dedication to helping and offering hope to our community.

 

First Quarter NAMI Family-to-Family Classes

We are working on the final details of our 1st quarter 2026 education class schedule. We will have THREE NAMI Family-to-Family (F2F) classes in early 2026.

These classes fill up FAST! People on our waitlist will have priority registration, so if you are interested in one of these classes, you are encouraged to sign up on our waitlist now. GET ON THE WAITLIST HERE.

Classes planned in quarter 1 are:

  • In-person in Leesburg – beginning early January 2026
  • In-person in Oakton – beginning late January 2026
  • Virtual – beginning in February

More details coming soon.

Our offices will be closed from Wednesday, December 24 thru Monday, January 5, 2026.We are giving our team a break to spend time with family and focus on their own mental wellness.

We will be monitoring our general email – info@nami-nova.org. Please contact us with any questions or if you need help.

IMPORTANT CALENDAR UPDATES – Many of our support groups have alternate schedules over the next 4 weeks due to the holiday season. Please see our calendar for the most up-to-date schedule.CHECK OUT OUR CALENDAR FOR MOST CURRENT EVENTS SCHEDULE

 

 

NAMI Northern Virginia is a 48-year old 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to serve Northern Virginia individuals, family members, and friends affected by mental health challenges through awareness, education, support, advocacy, and collaboration with community partners.

 

 

 

NAMI Northern Virginia | Post Office Box 480  |Oakton, VA 22124 US

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Published by RJ Hamster

I was born on 6 August 1956 in San Francisco, California to Janet and (the late) Richard Hovis. I grew up in Santa Monica, California where I attended elementary, junior high school, and high school (graduating in 1974), in addition to involvement in sports and recreation (Little League +, the Boy’s Club ++). Further, it was in elementary school – St. Augustine’s By-the -Sea Parish School that I found, and made the choice to truly journey with God. I attended Arizona State University from 1974 to 1977 – seeking to become an architect, however, I was not accepted, and, as such, I graduated with a Liberal Arts degree. Upon graduation from Arizona State University, I attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and studied City and Regional Planning at the Master’s level. I successfully completed one (1) year in a two (2) year program – I did not complete the Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning – due to personal reasons. I returned to Santa Monica where I started (October 1979) my career as graphic designer with Exxon Company, USA. I spent five years with Exxon Company, USA. While working with Exxon Company, USA I was accepted into architectural school – Sci-Arc in Southern California, however, I did not attend preferring to stay with Exxon.. In 1982 I married Laura Flosi and in April 1983 we had our one and only child – Lauren Alain Hovis – a gift from God. We moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1984 from Los Angeles, where I went to work as a graphic designer with Kitchell CEM (from 1985 -1987). From 1987 – 1995 I was an independent contractor, and a registered representative in mortgage finance, financial management, graphic design, and drafting. Further, I attended the University of Phoenix and successfully obtained a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) in 1982. I was also a member of the Scottsdale Jaycees, where I became very involved in community events and projects. In 1994, I accepted a cartography position with the Defense Mapping Agency in Reston, Virginia. As such, I relocated from Phoenix to Reston. In 1998, I was accepted and worked as a Visual Information Officer with the Central Intelligence Agency. In 2002, I worked as a Support Officer until my retirement (due to a need for shoulder surgery) in September 2018. Away from my Federal Government service, I have been involved in various organizations and activities in Northern Virginia. In November of 2011, I married Rebecca Ouellette in Santa Monica, California. I reside in San Tan Valley, AZ with my two hamster - Jess and Timothy, our fish, our lizard - RJ Lizard., and our cats - Pearl and Grey. As to hobbies, I enjoy playing sports, attending sporting events, mentoring individuals from financial management to hamsters, building models, photography, travel, multimedia design, managing partner for RJ Hamster, and jazz – smooth jazz to a samba or a bossa nova. Love and God Bless, Peter – aka RJ Hamster Jo hi

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