West Liberty Area Economic Development (We Lead) held its quarterly meeting Friday, Nov. 10, at the WL Community Center. Mental health dominated discussion, while local organizations gave updates.
“Have you ever been there with somebody?” asked Laurie Edge, support and education coordinator for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). She was the keynote speaker at the meeting.
“Regardless of the topic, has someone said something to you and you just don’t know what to say? Well this happens frequently with mental health conditions,” she added. “People don’t know what to say.”
NAMI focuses on raising awareness about mental health illness and attempts to provide support and education to those in need. The national organization was founded in 1979 and has partnered with more than 700 local affiliates across the country.
“We provide awareness, we provide education, we provide support, and we provide advocacy,” said Edge. “Not only to those who live with a mental health condition, but to the family members who are trying to understand and support their loved ones that are living with a mental health condition.”
Laurie Edge works for NAMI of the Greater Mississippi Valley, which is located in Davenport. On the Iowa side, it is affiliated with Muscatine, Scott, Jackson, Clinton and Cedar counties.
Over the past year, it began work in West Liberty, specifically the schools and West Liberty Foods. In 2020, the Davenport branch received a three-year grant from the Muscatine Health Support Granting Fund.
NAMI partnered with the Muscatine Department of Public Health to promote early detection and treatment for mental health disorders. In 2021, they found themselves in West Liberty.
They provided support and education classes to students and staff in the West Liberty Community School District, then they provided a seminar that was open to the community.
In 2022, they were invited to West Liberty Foods by a special committee already formed by the company to address mental health issues.
NAMI came in and provided education and training.
Along the way NAMI received support from We Lead and other local organizations. Now that they’re in town, they don’t plan on leaving any time soon.
“We’re not leaving after this grant is done,” said Laurie Edge. “NAMI is going to be a presence in this community. But I can’t do this by myself.
“The way NAMI operates is through volunteers,” she added about the nonprofit. “The only way we can make this function is to have volunteers from your community.”
Right now NAMI is planning several Lunch and Learns at West Liberty Foods and is working on printing its materials in Spanish to reach out to the community.
Around the community
Per usual, We Lead Director Ken Brooks passed the microphone around the room, during which several local organizations and companies gave quick updates about what they’re up to in West Liberty.
“It’s great to see new development going on,” said city council member Josh Shiltz. “I just appreciate everyone voting the other day in the election.” He was referring to recent city and school board elections that occurred on Tuesday, Nov. 7.
City manager Lee Geertz mentioned that many of the road construction projects around West Liberty are getting ready to wrap up for the season, as well as talked about the fact that police chief Eric Werling will soon be leaving West Liberty.
Muscatine County Board supervisor for District 2 Kurt Kirchner stated that the county is in a slow period regarding construction. Given this is his first year in the role, he said that he has learned a lot.
West Liberty Chamber of Commerce director Charles Brooke mentioned that the Holiday Open House will be Nov. 18-19, which will include a free movie at the New Strand Theatre. The city tree-lighting ceremony will be Sunday, Nov. 19 at 5:30 p.m.
Melody Russell reminded everyone that the school will be putting on a production of “Puffs” Nov. 16-18 at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium.
Brooks stated that the We Lead will soon be posting a full-time position for a community development specialist that will focus on local programs and connecting community members to organizations.
West Liberty Public Library director Allie Paarsmith stated that since July they have been offering the use of Rosetta Stone for self-guided English classes on Tuesday evenings. She also talked about a new parent support group coming soon.
“Big things going on with the Muscatine County Fair,” said fair manager Kelsey Meyers. “One really big project that we announced at our annual meeting a couple weeks ago is we are kicking off our fundraiser for a new event center.”
On behalf of the Heritage Foundation, board member Cliff McFerren said they’ll be moving an old carriage stagecoach house to the West Liberty Heritage Depot Museum and Heritage Park.
He then stated that the Simpson Memorial Home board has finalized plans for renovation and expansion. Over the past year they have stabilized their workforce and are slowly hiring new employees.
Police chief Eric Werling brought up Shop with a Cop, asking for help from the community with fundraising. For every $250 they raise they can support another child.
Finally, the West Liberty Rotary Club is in the middle of their annual coat drive. Gently used and new coats can be dropped off at the We Lead building.