Build mental health awareness by walking with our LWVYC-sponsored NAMIWalks team, ”League of Women Voters Yolo County Walk Team”. We’ll represent our League efforts to highlight the importance of mental health services in our community. Get a little exercise and share stories and encouragement while also helping to promote our new LWVYC Mental Health Position.
When: Saturday, September 27, 2025
Check-in Opens: 8:30 am
Opening Ceremony Starts: 9:30 am
Walk Begins: 10:00 am
Event Ends: 12 noon
Where: Woodland Community College, 2300 E Gibson Rd, Woodland (map link)
Parking: There is plenty of free parking.
Remember to bring water, sunscreen and walking shoes!
Contact: Stephanie DeGraf Hunt to RSVP, sd**********@***il.com
The NAMIWalks event raises funds to support top-rated mental health programs and services, far-reaching guidance, and valuable education for our entire community. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) promotes critical awareness of mental illness and promotes the well-being of every person.
People walk for all kinds of reasons: for someone they love, for community mental health, to support friends and families, and to raise awareness about the important role of wellbeing in a healthy community.
We invite you to sign up to participate in the NAMIWalks event, knowing that your presence and participation will have a positive effect on so many people.
Walk Team Captain Stephanie DeGraf-Hunt is coordinating our Team. Contact Stephanie at sd**********@***il.com to let her know you are coming to walk. She will provide additional information to all walk team members when they sign up.
Explore the community resource tables and participate in craft activities beginning at 9:00 am. Our League is also tabling, so please drop by to say hello.
A program with speakers focusing on celebrating Mental Health for Everyone will begin at 9:30 a.m.
The walk begins at 10:00 am, and you have a choice to either walk the Yellow Route, a short 1-kilometer walk within the campus grounds, or the Blue Route, a 5-kilometer walk that encircles the campus. Our Walk Team will meet up at the event at the League of Women Voters of Yolo County Table at 9:15 a.m.
Positive messages on posters carried by walkers are welcomed. (More information will be forthcoming regarding an opportunity to create signs as a group.) The walk group will also display our League banner. This is a large community-wide event, and we want to show our support for the incredible outreach and impact that NAMI has on our community.
NAMIWalks is a free, inspiring event and fundraiser. You don’t have to walk to support NAMI; individual donations and team fundraising are encouraged. Individuals wishing to make donations to NAMI in our Walk Team’s name can go to our Team’s official page and click the Support Us button.
Contact Stephanie at sd**********@***il.com to let her know you are coming to walk. She will provide additional information to all walk team members when they sign up.
Volunteer to help us at our Table
Are you a tabler and not a walker? Good news!! We’re tabling too! At the NAMI Walks event, we’ll offer League membership information along with voter registration and November ballot issue updates.
Judy Higgerson is leading the tabling team. Contact her at jh********@***il.com to let her know you will be there. She will instruct the team on voter registration and Prop 50 information that community members need for the November special election.
Members of our Healthcare Team will also be there to help educate the community about LWVC’s Mental Health Position and provide LWVYC membership information.
LWVYC New Mental Health Advocacy
LWVYC County Mental Health Position was adopted in 2025 to address the service and program needs of all in our Yolo County community.
The LWV of Yolo County supports Mental / Behavioral Health programs and services that focus on visible and accurate consumer information, timely access to care, and data to support the effectiveness of programs provided.
County Mental Health Care delivery should:
- prioritize support and funding for 211 call center resources or a similar mental health/behavioral health directory to assist with updated and accurate program and services resource information that is widely publicized and distributed
- ensure contracted service providers offer adequate access to mental health and behavioral health treatment and support services including the adaptation of hours, on-call services, and/or telehealth services to meet community access needs ( including weekend and evening access)
- provide a 24-7 county accessible Crisis Stabilization Center for mental health and behavioral health clients in acute need.
- use data analysis to determine if mental health/ behavioral health services are effective
LWVYC will advocate for County Mental Health programs and services with special emphasis on these program priorities in 2025-26.
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