The NY State Chapter of NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, hosted their annual conference on Friday, November 11th at The Desmond Hotel in Albany. Among the speakers was Diane Cameron Pascone, Unity House’s Director of Development and Grants. Ms. Cameron Pascone is also an author, speaker and trainer.
Among the topics of the NYS NAMI Education Conference were issues faced by Veterans and their families. This is an issue Unity House staff can speak well to since among the many who come to Unity House, service members and their family members are represented. To that end, Unity House works with regional groups and experts to better train staff about the issues faced by Veterans. Sometimes those issues are unique to Veterans and their families.
We are steadily improving our trauma-informed literacy of staff who provide front-line support. By better understanding the roll trauma plays – both as a cause to current conditions and also as a barrier to accessing needed supports – staff can better serve Veterans and their families.
With this in mind, Unity House is mindful to create a safe, welcoming atmosphere at our community resource center. Of course, Veterans have always been among those served by Unity House, but improving our outreach means reaching more and ensuring all who come to Unity House understand what resources are available. The common thread throughout Unity House is recognition that everyone deserves to be treated with respect and compassion so they may have dignity and hope.
On this Veterans Day and on behalf of the many we serve, a special thank you to all the men and women who have served.
Speakers Available
If your group, office, faith community or service organization is interested in a speaker for your event, please know what Unity House has staff who are willing and able to share their expertise on a range of issues that affect the populations we serve. For more information, please call (518) 274-2607 ext. 4134.