For the second time, our League looks forward to participating in the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) event. NAMI promotes critical awareness of mental illness and promotes the well-being of every person. The NAMIWalks 2026 event raises funds to support NAMI’s free, top-rated programs and services, far-reaching guidance and valuable education for our entire county.
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 individuals and families in our communities.
This is a huge community-wide event, and the League of Women Voters Yolo County is all in to show our support for the incredible outreach and positive impact that NAMI has on our communities.
When: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Check-in Opens: 9 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 
Register: NAMI Walks webpage
Additional Information
Remember to bring water, sunscreen and walking shoes!
There is plenty of free parking.
On Saturday, September 26th, an introductory program celebrating Mental Health begins at 9:30 a.m., leading us to the starting lines at 10:00. There is a choice to walk the Yellow Route, a 1-kilometer walk within the campus grounds, or the Blue Route, which is a 5-kilometer walk that encircles the campus. The announcer will direct us to the specific starting lines and send everyone off with a great cheer.
Serving as our League’s Team Captain is Vice-President Stephanie DeGraff-Hunt. She will keep you posted on event-related information like the size of our League Team and will invite you to meet up at the League of Women Voters of Yolo County Table.
Fundraising for Mental Health
Positive messages on posters carried by walkers are welcome, and our League members will carry our League banner and posters. We may even plan a time when we can have a poster-making party.
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.
Last year, our team donated $875.00 in our first year participating in NAMIWalks. We know this year we will reach a greater amount because there will be more of us participating and supporting the impactful contributions of NAMI. Each member’s donation is included in our team’s fundraising total.
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.
You can donate by going to NAMI Walks Yolo County, clicking the donate button, and registering as a team member of the League of Women Voters Yolo County. It only takes a few minutes, and instantly you will receive a notification that your donation has been received and that you are on our team. As our team captain, Stephanie will immediately receive notification that you are now a registered team member.
LWVYC Mental Health Advocacy
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 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 service 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
Posters
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.
Michelle Famula will be leading the tabling team. Contact Michelle at ms******@***il.com if you wish to table at the NAMIWALKS! event. She will instruct the team on voter registration and upcoming ballot information that community members need for the November special election.
We had a blast tabling last year, engaging with many community organizations and folks who support NAMI and the League’s mission. NAMIWalks really is a huge happy Saturday morning social event, with goodies to eat, folks to meet, stories to share, and an important cause to support.