FOND DU LAC, WI (January 27, 2023) 

A community resource, a drop-in center for persons experiencing a mental illness, is continuing to exist despite a change in sponsorship as of January 1,2023. The NAMI Fond du Lac, “Friendship Corner” located at 86 S. Macy St., will continue to operate but under a new name (yet to be decided) and new sponsorship. Robert E. Berry House has taken over the drop-in center operation and space with the hiring of 3 staff members and expanded hours of operation being Monday through Friday from 9 am to 3pm.

Robert E. Berry House has been a community provider of mental health services since 1967. Staff from Berry House were instrumental in the creation of the drop-in center in 2007 and recognize the vital importance of building a bridge between transitional stays at the group home and finding the informal support needed to make community living a reality. 

NAMI Fond du Lac, the local affiliate of the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI), and has decided to align itself more closely with the national mission of education, support and advocacy surrounding mental health. A new Executive Director, Brad Leonhard, has been hired and he will maintain an office at 86 S. Macy St until a different location is secured. 

“This is a win-win situation for both organizations” stated Meghan Hyland, NAMI Board President and Bev Gudex, Berry House Administrator. “Both local non-profit organizations have a long history of working together and providing mental health support to the Fond du Lac community. The vision of total community integration for persons experiencing a mental illness is also shared” they agreed.