The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) McHenry County will open the doors to its new home at 338 Memorial Drive on Thursday, Feb. 26, inviting the community to tour a first-of-its-kind space designed to respond to mental health crises and combat social isolation.
The public open house will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon and will showcase two new programs launching this year: a Living Room–style mental health crisis program and a Drop-In Center focused on connection and recovery.
The new location was made possible by an anonymous $1.3 million gift, which allowed NAMI McHenry County to purchase the building in October 2025. The organization is now leading a capacity-building campaign to fund renovations, furnishings, and staffing for its expanded services. The Foglia Family Foundation launched the campaign with a $100,000 lead gift, and the Living Room has been named in their honor.
A New Approach to Mental Health Crisis Care
The Living Room model is an evidence-based alternative to emergency departments for adults experiencing a mental health crisis. Instead of bright lights, security checkpoints, and long waits, visitors are welcomed into a calm, home-like environment and supported by Certified Recovery Support Specialists—trained peers who draw on lived experience to provide compassionate, non-clinical support.
“Walking into a Living Room feels like walking into a friend’s home,” said Abbey Nicholas, Executive Director of NAMI McHenry County. “It feels human. People are greeted with warmth, listened to without judgment, and supported in a way that restores dignity and choice during one of the hardest moments of their lives.”
The Living Room spans approximately 3,500 square feet and includes a shared common area and multiple private rooms tailored to individual needs, including meditation, sensory-friendly, art-based, and comfort spaces.
The Living Room will open to the public in March. Initial hours of operation will be Monday through Friday, 12:30 to 8:00 p.m., aligning with peak usage data from other Living Room programs across Illinois. NAMI McHenry County plans to expand hours as additional funding becomes available.
Building Connection to Prevent Crisis
Housed in a separate unit of the building, the NAMI Drop-In Center is designed for adults seeking community, routine, and connection—key protective factors against mental health crisis.
“Loneliness is one of the most overlooked drivers of mental health conditions,” Nicholas said. “The Drop-In Center gives people a place to belong—whether that means sitting quietly with a book, working on a puzzle, or joining a yoga, meditation, or workforce development class.”
Both the Living Room and Drop-In Center serve adults 18 and older. Bilingual support is available in both programs.
About NAMI McHenry County
NAMI McHenry County provides free mental health education, support, and advocacy throughout the community, including one-on-one peer and family support, support groups, classes, and training on mental health and suicide prevention. The organization partners with schools, workplaces, faith communities, and local agencies across the county and serves as co-leader of the McHenry County Suicide Prevention Task Force and co-founder of the Youth Empower Alliance.
More information about programs, services, and the capacity-building campaign is available at www.namimch.org.