Deacon Laverne S. Williams is a quintessential leader in emotional health and spirituality, possessing a heartfelt dedication to making the world a better place. Driven by her faith in God and her passion to create positive change, she became an inspiring figure in articulating and addressing mental illness in the Black Community.

After more than 38 years of service at the Mental Health Association in New Jersey, in 2023 Laverne retired from her full-time position as the Director of the PEWS (Promoting Emotional Wellness and Spirituality) Program and serving as an integral member of the Community Education Team. Laverne founded PEWS in 2005 and remains at the helm. The PEWS Program’s goal was to help break the stigma associated with mental health conditions for members of the African American church. She became a strong proponent of equipping church leaders with skills to respond to congregants who had concerns about their own mental health or the mental health of their family members.

As an advocate on behalf of persons with mental illness, and as a long-standing Deacon and member of the Union Baptist Church in Montclair where she still serves, Laverne has diligently developed partnerships between faith-based communities and behavioral health institutions by bridging the gap between theology and mental health. Her insights were indispensable in encouraging culturally relevant behavioral health resources and family support services to an array of diverse consumers. She diligently worked to increase awareness and engagement with key stakeholders in communities of color.

In addition to her award-winning work, Laverne is also a New Jersey Certified Social Worker, WRAP (Wellness & Recovery Action Plan) Facilitator, Mental Health First Aid Instructor and Certified Grief Recovery Specialist. She is a highly sought-after conference keynote speaker and workshop facilitator having presented to numerous statewide and local agencies, consumer organizations and family member groups.

Laverne’s work has been published, and she has been quoted by notable authors such as Sheryl Sandberg in her bestselling book, Option B – Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy. The PEWS program is referenced in a paper published by Laverne and her colleagues, entitled, Implementing a Mental Health Ministry Committee in Faith-Based Organizations: The Promoting Emotional Wellness and Spirituality Program, * accessible on the National Library of Medicine’s website.

The Mental Health Association in New Jersey is a statewide non-profit organization that strives for people to achieve victory over mental illness and substance use disorders through advocacy, education, training and services. For more information visit our website ,https://www.mhanj.org/. Email our host, Merrill Altberg, MSA, Director of Communications, at maltberg@mhanj.org.

Jill Schlossberg, LPC, LCADC, ACS, CCTP-II, DRCC, has been in the field of mental health and addiction for over 17 years. She is a licensed as a Professional Counselor and Clinical Drug and Alcohol Counselor. Ms. Schlossberg currently works at the Mental Health Association in New Jersey as a member of the NJ Connect for Recovery management team and Director of Services Hudson and Union County. She also has a private practice in Hudson County, New Jersey.

The Mental Health Association in New Jersey is a statewide non-profit organization that strives for people to achieve victory over mental illness and substance use disorders through advocacy, education, training and services. For more information visit our website ,https://www.mhanj.org/. Email our host, Merrill Altberg, MSA, Director of Communications, at maltberg@mhanj.org.

Emily Grossman's strength and determination are a big part of her recovery journey from Bipolar Disorder. She was diagnosed at 18.

After years of therapy and medications, she slowly began to heal. Her path included enrolling in the Mental Health Association in New Jersey's Consumer Connections course and subsequently being hired by MHANJ as a Peer, where she fell in love with using her story to help others.

Now, Emily Grossman, MA, CPRP, Peer Life Coach, Keynote Speaker and author of Unlocked: From Psych Hospital to Higher Self, she is an inspiration to us all!
For more information, visit www.emilygrossman.net.

The Mental Health Association in New Jersey is a statewide non-profit organization that strives for people to achieve victory over mental illness and substance use disorders through advocacy, education, training and services. For more information visit our website ,https://www.mhanj.org/. Email our host, Merrill Altberg, MSA, Director of Communications, at maltberg@mhanj.org.

The Mental Health Association in New Jersey is a statewide non-profit organization that strives for people to achieve victory over mental illness and substance use disorders through advocacy, education, training and services. For more information visit our website ,https://www.mhanj.org/. Email our host, Merrill Altberg, MSA, Director of Communications, at maltberg@mhanj.org.