Ray Lay, one of our trainers in the CSH-embraced Indiana Supportive Housing Institute, was honored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Indiana chapter at their 30th Anniversary 2015 State Conference, “Accessing the Past, Gaining Hope for the Future.”
Ray received the Patricia Wheaton Award, which is presented to a person living with mental illness who displays exemplary courage in recovery, education and helping others to understand and overcome mental illness.
NAMI Indiana noted: “Ray’s passion for reaching all who may be touched by mental illness shines through our work together. His generous gifts of time, expertise, and lived experience as an In Our Voice Presenter, Indiana Certified Recovery Specialist, Veterans Affairs Certified Peer Support Specialist and Indiana Department of Corrections speaker are changing lives every day.”
Ray was recently named to NAMI Indiana’s Board of Directors.
“Ray has been instrumental in helping CSH build peer support into our supportive housing institute and our work with teams. He encourages people with lived experience to get certified as Peer recovery specialists. He also is on the state’s CoC board as a tenant representative. Ray has an incredible spirit and enthusiasm about his work that is contagious. Ray has worked with us to strengthen our linkages with the Division of Mental Health and Addiction. He reads all of the latest research and information about supportive housing funding and policy, and makes key policy and funder connections. Ray is a people-person who excels at identifying and linking people who should be working together.” Lori Phillips-Steele, CSH Director in Indiana
