Background

We have a small but dedicated staff of Volunteers, Officers and Board of Directors. Most of us have a family member with a mental illness. All are volunteers. We do not receive funding from County, Federal or State sources.

Mentors

Shelly works with a lady's home assisting them with their house keeping and mostly being a good friend. Her husband Robert repairs computers for us.

Lois is a wonderful mentor mom, cooking coach and friend to our residents. Lois, along with her husband Tom, is a past President and long time member of NAMI Sac. Our residents consider Lois like a mom.

Susie has worked with the developmentally disabled. She is teaching residents how to clean and how to cook.

Tim recently retired and is helping us with heavy work such as Ewaste and Food Link.

Staff

Leah Torrez: Leah worked with the Volunteers of America and other mental health agencies.Her love is working with those who have a mental illness. Leah assists the residents in planning meals, shopping and generally serves as a friend, counselor and does whatever it takes to help them become successful.

Officers

Lynn Smith – President and House Manager. Lynn is a former President of NAMI- Sacramento and served 6 years on the NAMI Ca, Board of Directors. She has been a State Trainer for the NAMI Family to Family program and is a retired Real Estate Agent.

Anne Hindman - Secretary Anne took the NAMI Family to Family classes and when asked if she would volunteer as Secretary immediately said yes.

Nilgun Smith - Treasurer. Nilgun has been in the Mortgage and Banking business for over 20 years. Presently she works for Financial Freedom Reverse Mortgage Company as Vice President, Processing Manager. Nilgun lives in Olivehurst and has two grown children and one grandson.

Board of Directors

Roger Warloe - Chairman. In addition to volunteering for us, Roger also volunteers for Senior Gleaners and a choral group.

Melanie Bown works for the State of California for the Victim Compensation and Govt.Claims Board as a restitution trainer: prior to that she worked for the Short Center North in an arts program for persons with developmental disabilities. Melanie’s interest in people with disabilities developed early while growing up with her father who has a diagnosis of schizophrenia. She saw how he developed when given opportunities, programs and the right medications. 'It seems meaningful to try to help others to opportunities as well. By working with others who struggle to manage I look forward to serving on the Board of Welcome Home Housing, an agency dedicated to promoting independent living and self care.'

Lynn Cathy is NAMI California's (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Family to Family coordinator and long time NAMI Sacramento member. Her expertise with families is a major asset to WHH.

Marian Hutnick is a native born Sacramentan, attended Los Rios Community College and is a Realtor . She has been active in various boards and non-profit foundations such as the parents' volunteer coordinator for Pony Baseball in Citrus Heights, coach for various children's sports, parent volunteer in her children's schools, PTA member, Founding Board Member for Make-A-Difference Day Fund Raising Event. She was in-charge of fundraising and volunteerism for a group of employees for the Money Store,raising $40k each year for various for deserving non-profit organizations. She has been active in for two groups that work with Autistic Children, FEAT. Sacramento FEAT was awarded funding and national recognition and ultimately built "The Mind Institute" at UC Davis Medical Center. Marian has a son with a mental illness.