Meet the personal side of our team
Debbie L. Proulx Executive Director
What is your connection to mental health? – I have PTSD and CPTSD. I also have friends, family, and associates who have mental health conditions. I know firsthand what it’s like to struggle and feel like there is no hope. I aim to make sure no one who comes to us ever feels that way.
Why do you love NAMI Pasco? – We are peer lead. We tru
What is your connection to mental health? – I have PTSD and CPTSD. I also have friends, family, and associates who have mental health conditions. I know firsthand what it’s like to struggle and feel like there is no hope. I aim to make sure no one who comes to us ever feels that way.
Why do you love NAMI Pasco? – We are peer lead. We truly try to allow our participants to guide all of our activities and programs. There is no hierarchy of anyone being better than anyone else.
What is your favorite color? – Navy blue, but orange is my heart color. My son, Christopher was a NICU baby and as such experienced vision damage. Orange was one of the first colors he could see and identify. He became obsessed. Anytime I see orange I think of him.
What’s your favorite place of all the places you have traveled and why? – I’d have to say Borderland State Park in Easton, MA. I love the trails there and the beautiful scenery. Not to mention they allow dogs and have a special off-leash area.
Elaine Sabra Secretary/Treasurer
Avery Lomax Director
Avery Lomax Director
AKA – Laini
What is your connection to mental health? – I have a son that has bipolar and I have depression.
Why do you love NAMI Pasco? – It’s a small nonprofit that does everything it can to try to help the community. It steps up when others should but don’t.
What is your favorite color? – Hot Pink
What sport would you compete in if you
AKA – Laini
What is your connection to mental health? – I have a son that has bipolar and I have depression.
Why do you love NAMI Pasco? – It’s a small nonprofit that does everything it can to try to help the community. It steps up when others should but don’t.
What is your favorite color? – Hot Pink
What sport would you compete in if you were in the Olympics and why? – Gymnastics, because I have great respect for them.
Avery Lomax Director
Avery Lomax Director
Avery Lomax Director
What is your connection to mental health? – I live with mental health conditions.
Why do you love NAMI Pasco? – NAMI Pasco is a wonderful organization to be part of. The support groups allow me to get support to help me deal with the difficulties of mental health conditions and to give support to others, which gives me purpose and meanin
What is your connection to mental health? – I live with mental health conditions.
Why do you love NAMI Pasco? – NAMI Pasco is a wonderful organization to be part of. The support groups allow me to get support to help me deal with the difficulties of mental health conditions and to give support to others, which gives me purpose and meaning. The classes have helped me with personal development, and recovery. The activities have been a great social outlet. And the Coaching has helped me work towards my goals. I love that NAMI Pasco is working towards education and reducing the stigma of mental health conditions, and providing people in need with resources that can otherwise be difficult to find.
What is your favorite color? – Orange
What is your favorite place that you have traveled and why? – Right now I think it's Ocracoke Island North Carolina because it was my favorite family road trip.
Christina Dodson Director
Avery Lomax Director
Christina Dodson Director
AKA – Chris
What is your connection to mental health? – I receive services from NAMI Pasco.
Why do you love NAMI Pasco? – Excellent peers, excellent service, and excellent Executive Director.
What is your favorite color? – St. Louis Cardinals Red
What is your favorite place that you have traveled and why? – It’s a toss-up between Las Vegas and Key West because of the people watching.
Melanie Butterworth Director
Nicole Kelly Director
Nicole Kelly Director
AKA – Melanie, Mel, Melsey are all fine with me. (You can try to make an original joke about my last name, but the truth is, I've probably heard it before.)
What is your connection to mental health? – Growing up, one of my parents experienced depression and the other experienced bipolar disorder. I thought I escaped this when I graduate
AKA – Melanie, Mel, Melsey are all fine with me. (You can try to make an original joke about my last name, but the truth is, I've probably heard it before.)
What is your connection to mental health? – Growing up, one of my parents experienced depression and the other experienced bipolar disorder. I thought I escaped this when I graduated from college with degrees in things like social work and student personnel, but by the time I hit 25, I experienced mental health challenges, too. So I see mental health BOTH from a personal standpoint and that of a family member.
Why do you love NAMI Pasco? – NAMI Pasco embodies what I think NAMI is supposed to be about. Participants are empowered to be the best versions of themselves, but not punished in any way for having a mental health condition. Respect is freely given, and thus, reciprocated in return. Honesty is valued, creativity is employed and humor truly is healthy!
What is your favorite color? – Blue Green or Teal
What is your favorite place that you have traveled and why? – In my early 20's, I took a group of students spelunking in East Tennessee. We hiked up and down cave walls, rafted across the little lake inside the cave, and slept on the cave floor.
The reason I loved this trip is that I lead it and I can't believe I survived it I was just a young woman from the edge of Northeast Philly who had never seen a cave in her life! But somehow, we all made it through and it was rated the best trip of the year. It was unlike any place I've ever been.
Nicole Kelly Director
Nicole Kelly Director
Nicole Kelly Director
What is your connection to mental health? – I have a mental health diagnosis, but I don’t let it define me.
Why do you love NAMI Pasco? – I love Nami Pasco because of the support I received during a very scary time in my life. Also, I can help others by being understanding and helping through difficult times.
What is your favorite color?
What is your connection to mental health? – I have a mental health diagnosis, but I don’t let it define me.
Why do you love NAMI Pasco? – I love Nami Pasco because of the support I received during a very scary time in my life. Also, I can help others by being understanding and helping through difficult times.
What is your favorite color? – Orange
What animal best matches your personality and why? A dolphin because they are loyal and compassionate.
Timothy M. Proulx Therapy Pup In Training
AKA – Piranhasaurus-Rex
What is your connection to mental health? – I help people to feel better with my cuteness.
Why do you love NAMI Pasco? – They have nice people who tell me I’m a good boy.
What is your favorite color? – Purple like my sloth.
What animal best matches your personality and why? A kangaroo because I like to jump around.
Apply Today
NAMI Pasco Board Of Directors Application
Deadline: October 1st for 2023 Board - Rolling for filler seats
Area: Pasco County FL
Organization Description: NAMI Pasco provides support, advocacy, outreach, and education to those with mental health conditions and their loved ones.
Title: Board Member, NAMI Pasco Board of Directors
Role: Serves as a board member on the NAMI Pasco Board of Directors. Ensures that NAMI Pasco achieves its mission by providing governance, developing policies, representing it throughout the county, and fundraising.
Knowledge/Skills Required:
★ A demonstrated interest in the organization's mission and goals.
★ Specific knowledge/experience in, and willingness to offer assistance in at least one of the following areas: not-for-profit organization management, human resources management, strategic or operational planning, finance, accounting, law, funds development, community relations, lived experience of supporting someone with a mental illness or managing a mental illness.
★ A willingness to expand knowledge of board responsibilities through orientation and ongoing education. Willingness and ability to donate five to ten hours a month to the organization by preparing for and attending board and committee meetings and assisting in the execution of activities.
Time Expectations:
★ Participate in regularly scheduled board meetings, typically monthly, on the first Monday at 7 pm. (this may change each year depending on the board in office)
★ Represent the organization at special events, at least one every three months.
★ Stay informed and brainstorm ideas between meetings.
Obligations:
★ Abide by the bylaws and policies of the organization.
★ Fully understand and support the mission and values of NAMI Pasco.
★ Fully understand and support the programs and services that NAMI Pasco offers.
★ Establish and maintain policies.
★ Develop and/or monitor short and long term planning and goals (Strategic Plan).
★ Keep up to date with developments within our field.
★ Support the Executive Director.
★ Make an annual personal financial contribution and participate in all fundraising activities in a give or get fashion on behalf of the board.
★ Review agenda and supporting materials prior to any meetings.
★ Attend all meetings of the board, including any committee meetings you may be assigned to.
★ Avoid any conflict of interest or appearance of conflict.
★ Adhere to confidentiality.
★ Assist the board in carrying out its fiduciary responsibilities.
★ Bring personal/professional expertise and that of others to support the mission of the organization.
★ Suggest possible nominations to the board who can make significant contributions to the work of the board and organization.
★ Represent the organization in both the public and private sectors. Serve as an advocate for the organization.
★ Support decisions of the entire board.
★ Participate in social media likes, commenting, and sharing of content.
★ Remain a NAMI Pasco member for the duration of your time on the board.
To Apply: Send your resume and cover letter answering the following questions to Info@NAMIPasco.org.
★ Why do you want to be on our board specifically with all the other boards out there?
★ What experience do you have with serving on a board?
★ What experience do you have in mental health?
★ How do you foresee yourself serving on the board?