Showing Up for Mental Health: More Good Days, Together
Mental health continues to be one of the most pressing challenges facing communities today. Across the country—and here in Central Florida—individuals and families are navigating barriers to care, connection, and stability. Each May, Mental Health Awareness Month, led nationally by Mental Health America, brings a shared focus to these realities while also pointing toward progress. This year’s theme, “More Good Days, Together,” reflects the importance of meeting people where they are, supporting individual journeys, and creating the conditions for more positive, stable days over time. At Dave’s House, we are proud to be part of that conversation. We are a small but mighty team and Dave’s House, and we are full force this mental health awareness month with a exciting line up of experiences and events across Central Florida.
Get the ball rolling for mental health awareness month (May 1)
There’s something incredibly powerful about watching a community come together with a shared purpose, and that’s exactly what it felt like to “get the ball rolling” for Mental Health Awareness Month. The energy, the connection, and the collective commitment to mental wellness made for a truly inspiring start. On May 1, at Lake Eola Park, we joined the “Get the Ball Rolling for Mental Health Awareness Month” event coordinated by the Mental Health Association of Central Florida. More than 50 Central Florida nonprofit organizations gathered, each bringing their voice, their mission, and their passion to the moment. It was a meaningful reminder that mental health is a community effort—and when we come together like this, we create space for awareness, reduce stigma, and build a stronger, more connected Central Florida.
May 1 - Mental Health Association of Central Florida - Lake Eola
Together We are NAMI WALKS (May 2)
There is something especially moving about seeing a community show up, step by step, for one another—and the NAMI Walk was exactly that kind of moment. It wasn’t just a walk, it was a powerful expression of support, hope, and shared commitment to mental health. On May 2, we were proud to be part of the NAMIWalks Central Florida, led by National Alliance on Mental Illness. Surrounded by advocates, families, and organizations from across Central Florida, the day was filled with connection, encouragement, and a collective reminder that no one has to navigate their mental health journey alone. Moments like these matter. They bring visibility, reduce stigma, and reinforce that together, we are building a more compassionate and supportive community for all.
May 2 NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Central Florida NAMI WALKS
Eat Well, Live Well Lunch Series (May 11 | 11 AM – 1 PM)
The Eat Well, Live Well Lunch Series, hosted by The Picnic Project in collaboration with AdventHealth, brings the community together to enjoy a shared meal while exploring the connection between nutrition, overall health, and well-being. Dave’s House CEO Ellen O’Connor is honored to be a featured speaker, sharing her unique perspective from working in permanent supportive housing for adults living with serious mental illness. The conversation highlights how stable housing, community support, and access to resources all contribute to healthier, more connected lives.
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“We were so excited to meet The Picnic Project when we moved into Dave’s House LaunchPad at The COOP in January, and we’ve been incredibly impressed by the work they’re doing in our community. To be part of the Eat Well, Live Well Lunch Series in collaboration with AdventHealth and to have the opportunity to share our work is truly meaningful. At Dave’s House, we’re honored to be part of conversations like this, where we can highlight how stable housing, community, and access to resources all play a role in creating healthier, more connected lives.” Ellen O’Connor, CEO, Dave’s House
Home is Healing: Where Housing Meets Mental Health Panel (May 12 | 12 PM – 1 PM)
Parikh Giving Alliance Amish & Beena Parikh - Shown here at the 2025 Change Makers Breakfast with Ellen O’Connor, CEO, Dave’s House
On May 12, Dave’s House CEO Ellen O’Connor will join an esteemed panel as part of the Collaboration Circle – Healthcare, presented by the Parikh Giving Alliance, for the conversation “Home is Healing: Where Housing Meets Mental Health.” This virtual gathering will bring together respected voices from across the community to explore how housing stability and mental health are deeply interconnected, and how collaborative models are creating pathways for long-term wellness. We are grateful to the Parikh Giving Alliance for creating space for this important dialogue and for recognizing our mission with a grant last year. Their continued support helps elevate conversations like these and strengthens the collective impact across our community.
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“Thank you to Dave’s House for being part of this important conversation and for the work they do every day to advance permanent supportive housing and mental health in Central Florida. We were honored to support this vision through our partnership.”
Beena Parikh, Co-Founder, Parikh Giving Alliance
Sweet Magic with The Picnic Project (May 14 ) - private event
In partnership with The Picnic Project, Dave’s House will host a special “Sweet Magic” moment dedicated to honoring the volunteers who help make this work possible, bringing a magician and sweet treats to create a lighthearted, joyful experience as a simple way to say thank you. The Picnic Project is a standing invitation to big tables, open arms, hope, and abundance, ensuring that no one in the Sanford community has to be hungry or lonely. Through grocery assistance, cooking classes, food rescue, mobile pantries, and shared meals, their impact reaches far beyond food, and this gathering offers a joyful way to say thank you with a little magic and something sweet.
Florida Blue Care Kits (Throughout May)
In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month this May, Dave's House is partnering with community organizations to create a meaningful initiative that offers encouragement, shows support and reminds residents that a caring community stands behind their long-term stability and success. Throughout the month of May, Winter Park and Clermont Florida Blue Center locations will host Care Kit Donation boxes where members of our Central Florida community can drop off items of need (socks, soap, snacks, etc.) for Dave's House Aspire Health Partners residents.
A special thank you to Florida Blue Retail Centers for their support in making this effort possible! A meaningful reminder that mental health is a community effort—and when we come together like this, we create space for awareness, reduce stigma, and build a stronger, more connected Central Florida. A special thank you to Florida Blue Retail Centers and to Brian Thomas, Dave's House Board of Directors Secretary and Business Operations & Planning Manager at Florida Blue - for making this all happen. Such a meaningful reminder that mental health is a community effort and when we come together like this, we create space for awareness and build a stronger, more connected Central Florida.
MHACF: Legacy of ChampioNS Luncheon (May 28)
On May 28, Dave’s House is excited to attend The Legacy of Champions Luncheon, hosted by the Mental Health Association of Central Florida. This annual gathering brings together community leaders and advocates for a powerful program centered on resilience, storytelling, and shared commitment to advancing mental health across the region. As Mental Health Awareness Month comes to a close, the conversation continues. At Dave’s House, we remain committed to being part of a community that shows up, supports one another, and works toward solutions that create stability, dignity, and connection.