Call for Nominations - Ed Erwin Memorial Award

Movin' Out is seeking nominations for its first Ed Erwin Memorial Award to be given to a person who has lived experience with mental health challenges and who has made significant contributions to the community integration, recovery, and self-determination of individuals with mental health challenges. The deadline for the nominations is August 10, 2020.

Background:

Ed Erwin was a long-time, much-loved, and highly respected member of the Movin' Out Board of Directors. Sadly, he passed away in August 2019. He lived in downtown Madison in his own affordable apartment, reflecting Movin' Out’s mission. He was an advocate, a writer, and an educator about mental illness, recovery, the power of peer support, and the importance of stigma reduction. He was active in numerous community organizations, and he was a powerful advocate for encouraging people with disabilities to vote and to continue their education. His work related to mental illness extended across the country and internationally, including in Scotland and in Japan.

His presence and activism are greatly missed. To memorialize Ed, Movin' Out has created an award in his name to be presented in October 2020 as part of our 25th Anniversary Celebration. The Ed Erwin Memorial Award recipient will be an individual who believes in the philosophy that Ed shared with us all during his lifetime. 

Thank you for considering a nomination. We look forward to hearing about the honorable work that is being accomplished in Wisconsin and beyond.

Nomination Process:

We invite individuals and organizations to nominate people with lived mental health experiences for this award. People may nominate themselves, but self-nomination must include two (2) references we can contact. 

Nominations will be reviewed by an award selection committee comprised of Movin' Out Board members and other people who knew Ed well.

The application form may be completed online or you can mail a paper copy to Movin’ Out, Inc., Attn: Ed Erwin Memorial Award, 902 Royster Oaks Drive, Suite 105, Madison, WI 53714. Nominations sent by mail must be postmarked by August 10.

For those individuals who may have difficulties in using a written format, the nomination can be phoned in by calling Sinikka Santala at (608) 335-2006 before August 10, 2020. In the verbal nomination, please state that you want yourself or someone else to be considered for the Award. We will interview you asking the same questions as those in the nomination form.

Award Criteria:

The following award criteria are based on activities that Ed supported and in which he was involved. Please note that nominees are not expected to meet ALL of the criteria, hence they are listed as “and/or”.

This award will be presented to a person with lived experience with mental health challenges who has:

  1. Shown commitment and leadership at the local or state level in Wisconsin to advocate on behalf of people with mental health challenges,  and/or

  2. Advocated for approaches that move away from institutional thinking, and that ensure full community membership and integration, including real lives in their own homes for people with mental health challenges, and/or

  3. Educated community members about mental illness, and recovery of individuals with mental health challenges, and/or 

  4. Been involved in fighting the stigma of mental illness, including education about the abilities and potential of people with mental health challenges to lead lives in the community of their choice including employment, and/or

  5. Provided peer support to others in their efforts to recover from mental illness,  and/or

  6. Been involved in encouraging and supporting people with mental health challenges to continue their education and pursue employment.

Complete the nomination form here.

Key dates:

  • Nominations are due by August 10, 2020. Nominations sent by mail should be postmarked by August 10, 2020.

  • The Award recipient will be notified by September 15, 2020.

  • Recorded interviews of the Award recipient and nominator will take place in late September or early October 2020.

  • The formal announcement of the Award will occur in October 2020.

For more information, please contact Sinikka Santala at (608) 335-2006.

Kathryne Auerback