PRESS RELEASE
Submitted by Douglas D. Adkins
December 19, 2015 3:00 p.m.
The local Nassau County Alliance for the Mentally Ill shared the joy of Christmas with the mental health residents at Dayspring Village with the 26th annual shoe party for the residents.
“For many of our residents this shoe party is their one chance to obtain a new pair of shoes. What is special about these shoes is the fact they have Velcro straps. Often when the mentally ill go to the hospital the hospital will take away the shoe laces as a safety measure and they rarely get them back. The NAMI shoes with the Velcro help create and maintain a level of dignity that is important to recovery.” Said Douglas Adkins, Executive Director
“This annual tradition is a huge event for our residents, they starting asking me in October whether the NAMI party will happen again and for each of the last 26 years the NAMI members have made this tradition a reality. I can tell you that these positive support efforts create a lasting holiday memory that cannot be undone and helps create a sense of well being.” Said Adkins
The NAMI Shoe Party started at 12 noon on Saturday December 12, 2015 at Dayspring Village. The party started with fresh pizza delivered to the facility, along with soda beverages and holiday cake and treats. The residents were then treated to a musical holiday performance by members of the NAMI organization and was followed by the handing out of the gift bags that contain the shoes.
Dayspring Village is a licensed limited mental health assisted living facility designed to meet the needs of adults with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders. Schizophrenia is a neurobiological brain disorder that affects about 7 in 1000 people. It is characterized by paranoid thoughts, auditory hallucinations and disorganized thought process. If you would like more information or need help in accessing care and services for a family member or neighbor you can call Dayspring Village Executive Director Douglas D. Adkins at 904-845-7501.