National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Greater Houston, the region's oldest grassroots, mental health organization dedicated to serving those affected by mental illnesses will host its inaugural “Heroes and Hope Across Greater Houston” virtual gala on Friday, January 14, 2022, at 6:30 pm.

Tickets are $250 per person and are available along with sponsorship opportunities at www.namigreaterhouston.org.

This gala will recognize individuals from Harris, Montgomery and Fort Bend counties who are impacting the social, emotional, or psychological wellness of adults and children—especially those living with mental illnesses with the “Heroes and Hope Across Greater Houston” award.

“We consider those receiving this honor as “heroes” in our region,” said board president Dr. Brenda L. LaVar. “Through their work, they are continually keeping mental health and mental illness relevant and providing paths to wellness, recovery and “hope” for all community members sometimes even before they know they need help.”

The 2022 “Heroes and Hope Across Greater Houston” honorees include:

• Dr. Gary Blau, The Hackett Center for Mental Health at the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute

• Gayle Yess Fisher, M.Ed, Ed.Tech., Neurodiversity

• Dr. Laurel Williams, Baylor College of Medicine

• Dr. Precious L. Reimonenq, Goose Creek CISD

• Dr. Connie Almeida, Fort Bend County Behavioral Health Services

• Mark Carr, CEO, Christian Brothers Automotive Corporation

• Area Law Enforcement Officers

NAMI Greater Houston will also present a legacy award named posthumously for its former board director, Houston business leader, mental health advocate and philanthropist, Leon C Alderfer. The organization will announce the recipient of this distinction during the gala.

“Leon experienced the heartbreaking loss of his young adult son who struggled for many years with mental illness,” said NAMI Greater Houston’s interim executive director Angelina Hudson, MPA. “He could have walked away from NAMI, but instead Leon turned his family’s tragedy into hope through action providing education classes, support groups, public awareness and financial support to help all individuals and families affected by mental illness.”

Additionally special appearances are expected by NAMI national medical director, Dr. Ken Duckworth, The Voice, Season 20 contestant and recording artist, Dana Monique and comedian and mental health advocate, Kevin Cotter. ABC13’s Erica Simon is the host.

The virtual “Heroes and Hope Across Greater Houston” gala is one of NAMI Greater Houston’s primary fundraisers that supports community mental health education programs, peer-facilitated support groups, advocacy initiatives and general operating.

NAMI Greater Houston is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1988 by a group of dedicated and caring family members of those living with difficult, yet treatable, mental illnesses. When founding the organization, these family members sought to establish a grassroots organization that would address the increasing need for families and persons affected by mental illness to have a powerful voice in the mental health community.