Meet the Wellness Shack Board Members
Laura Jones-President
Greetings, I am Laura Jones. I have been with the Wellness Shack only a short time, but already feel very welcome and at home. I am a domestic abuse survivor and was diagnosed with PTSD in the 1990’s. I have 7 children and 3 grandchildren. I create quilts, wind chimes, and poetry. I have a very wild garden in the home that I share with my wonderful husband, Kurt.
Becky Books - Vice President
I am Becky Books. I feel I have a lot to offer The Wellness Shack with advocacy. I decided to pass up the arts-n-crafts to another friend and give them a chance to grow with that. I volunteered at the Bolton Refuge House and was volunteer of the month in 1989. I am excited about The Wellness Shack and advocacy in this community. Blessings.
Erik Natti - Secretary
Hello! My name is Erik Natti. I am an artist, a Buddhist, a volunteer, and serve as the secretary on The Wellness Shack board. I am inspired by the arts and hope to bring some of that enthusiasm to the shack. I have lived in Eau Claire for ten years now and consider it my home. The Wellness Shack has become like family to me, and I am happy to help on the board. Two strengths I have are I’m a good listener, and I am patient. Two things I can work on are better organization and better communication skills.
Richard Helleloid - Treasurer
I have been participating in groups at The Wellness Shack for several years. I appreciate the diversity of the participants and the safe, supportive, welcoming atmosphere. The Wellness Shack has significantly helped me in my continuing efforts to strengthen my mental health. I now hope to contribute to The Wellness Shack as the volunteer treasurer. Do yourself a big favor—call or stop in! I am a C.P.A., with a Ph.D. in accounting. I taught for many years at the University of Michigan and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. I now work as the finance manager for a non-profit organization in the Eau Claire area.
Tammy Blaeser - Board Member at Large
My name is Tammy Blaeser. I have lived in Eau Claire since 1978 and also work part time. I am a volunteer at The Wellness Shack and a member of the board. I am also blind, but that doesn’t stop me! I have been volunteering since January 2005. I help with mailings, make phone calls with my friend for different events, attend groups, computer work, and bead jewelry. The Wellness Shack has given me a new sense of self-esteem. I have learned to be a better listener and how to help my peers. I hope to continue on this way and hope others become a part of The Wellness Shack.
Rhonda Brunn - Board Member at Large
Hi! I’m Rhonda. I am excited to be on The Wellness Shack board. I have been attending the shack since February 2009. I have struggled with depression and anxiety most of my life and most recently PTSD. By going to The Wellness Shack, I have discovered that these things are considered mental illnesses. Since I have accepted that, my path to recovery began. I owe my recovery process to The Wellness Shack. I will give back whatever I can and, hopefully, help some people as I am being helped. I also took the peer specialist training.
Connie Carroll - Board Member at Large
My name is Connie. As a certified psychiatric nurse, I want to provide outreach education, facilitate groups, 1:1 sessions, plus help with decision making. I would like to act as a powerful advocate for individuals and The Wellness Shack. Of equal importance is my own personal recovery from major depression, PTDS, and traumatic brain injury. I know first hand the struggles and triumphs that many of my peers may be experiencing. Being a new member of the board here at The Wellness Shack is truly a privilege to me. Thank you.
Emil Evenson - Board Member at Large
Hi, I am Pastor Emil Evenson, a retired parish pastor and former chaplain/counselor. In my own search for healing from mental illness, others who found healing, guided me to The Wellness Shack. It is a safe, healing place. I come to the board as a member at large with some special gifts. Over the past years as pastor and chaplain/counselor, I have received training and experience in working with alcoholism and drug addiction. Another gift afforded me has been that of working with and counseling those who have grief issues. I hope to use these special gifts in working with the board and as a volunteer. Come to the healing. Come to The Wellness Shack
Nancy Riggen - Board Member at Large
Hi! My name is Nancy Riggen. I’m a new member on the board at The Wellness Shack. I have a 19 year old son with mental, behavioral, and emotional challenges. I am a co-facilitator for the arts-n-crafts class. I am interested in fundraising and being a help any way I can. Recovery means growth, working towards a stable life, and being a part of helping others. I’m eager to learn everything from fundraising to consumer training to peer specialist training.
Marie Schumacher - Board Member at Large
Hi! My name is Marie. I have lived in Eau Claire since 1987 and am from Cameron, WI. When I first moved here, I was scared and knew no one. I didn’t know I had depression. But, as years went by, I realized I had depression and anxiety. I also work at Grace Willow Brook as a dietary aide. It has changed my life. I also have a daughter who has changed my life. On the board, I plan to help make decisions and plan to work on saying, “No,” and build my self-esteem. I am learning to stand up for myself. When I came to The Wellness Shack, I felt I was not alone anymore. It bothered me for a long time, but now, I found a place where people understand me. I am very grateful!
Geoffrey Walter - Board Member at Large
Hi! My name is Geoffrey Walter, and I am on the board of The Wellness Shack. I have had the privilege to watch The Wellness Shack grow from its infancy. It was a fun, but challenging endeavor. I was on the board as the secretary for 2 ½ years. It was a big challenge due to lack of concentration, yet in the long run, was kind of exciting. To me, The Wellness Shack is a place where someone who suffers from mental illness can forget the effects of it and actually clear it from their minds due to the consumer run advantage. They laugh, sing, play games, watch tv, tell jokes, operate a computer, and educate themselves without criticism. I am glad to be on the board and hope to keep it in existence for a very long time. It is based on a recovery model to increase social skills no matter what peoples’ abilities or illness are. It helps people to recover from the negative signs of life to a more positive one.
Wellness Shack Staff
Nora Bates - Office/Program Manager
Hi! I’ve been with The Wellness Shack since the beginning in 2004. I’ve been dealing with this so-called illness since the early 1990’s, but prefer to call it a new spin on creativity and intuition. I enjoy knitting, book groups, writing, spirituality, family and friends, music, cooking, nature, and so much more. At the shack, I listen to peers and offer support, learn the runnings of a business such as bookkeeping, public relations, grant-writing, and more. Some days at The Wellness Shack can be quite hectic so I have learned to stay in the now and breeeeeeaaaathe! By staying centered, I feel I can do the best I can do. I encourage you to come to The Wellness Shack to find support, learn more about yourself, and discover ways to cope with mental health issues. Peace.
Stacey Wilbur - Office/Program Assistant
Hi! I am happy to have been hired for the office/program assistant. My name is Stacey Wilbur, and I was born and raised in Eau Claire. I have been actively involved at The Wellness Shack for over a year. I attended the Peer Specialist Training and learned so much about supporting others who deal with mental health issues. I hope to use my own personal recovery story to assist those in need at the shack. For fun, I enjoy shopping, reading, watching movies, listening to music, and hanging out with friends and family. I share my home with my two cats, Church and Dixie, and my quaker parrot, Ricco. I look forward to working with you all. Blessings in 2010!