February, 2016

Director's Note

With an extraordinary bloom of 2015 New Day Campaign programming behind us, today is a potent moment for the Campaign's  future. Thanks to a tremendous response from our recently conducted Impact Survey (see article below), we are affirmed in our conviction there is a loud public mandate for us to find a way to continue. When I began the Campaign, I saw it as a short-lived initiative; it is clear it needs to be more than that, as evidenced in this brief video capturing the vibe of the Campaign. Please stay tuned: we seek to serve a public interest clearly illuminated in 2015, and to do so, we need and want your participation. In the new day, everyone deserves a voice in the choir.

— Peter Bruun, Director & Founder
 

Impact Survey Highlights

Thank you to the 237 individuals who took the time to complete our extensive survey. Many of you wrote lengthy comments, nearly all of which reflected the high value you saw in the Campaign. For those interested in digging into the details from this survey, we will soon be posting them, and will send out an alert once we've done so.

In the meantime, for those more inclined to want just the headlines, here are a few:

• Asked if we were successful in advancing our mission of "challenging stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness and addiction, making the world a more healing place," a nearly unanimous 97.14% of you replied "yes."
• Asked whether you agree or disagree to the statement, "The New Day Campaign offers safe and caring public spaces to share vulnerabilities and experiences around mental illness and addiction as nothing else does," nearly 80% of you "strongly agree." 
• Asked whether you agree or disagree to the statement, "The New Day Campaign as a movement has powerful potential as an agent of cultural change, challenging stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness and addiction in a unique and highly valuable way," over 80% of you "strongly agree."
• Asked whether you agree or disagree to the statement, "It is important for the New Day Campaign to find a way to continue its unique mission of using art to challenge stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness and addiction,"  nearly 85% of you "strongly agree."

• "The discussions were on great topics that directly played a part in my life. Allowing me to explore and relate with these topics was completely beneficial to my recovery. I would not be the same without this Campaign." 
• "As an addict there are plenty of groups to relate to with my addiction, but this Campaign ignited the creative passion back in me and allowed me to explore the stigmas against my mental illness. It was inspiring and therapeutic."
• "I witnessed the impact on visitors who stated they didn't know others felt as they did. The Campaign gave voice to those isolated by mental illness, addiction and trauma."

In the coming months, we hope to further analyze our impact, share with you what we learn, and integrate the outcomes into our future planning.
 

Cunningham's Bagby Give Back: February 24


The New Day Campaign wants you to eat at Cunningham's Cafe in Towson on February 24. Thanks to "Bagby Give Back," implemented by Bagby Restaurant Group to support community and its many neighborhood organizations and nonprofits, the New Day Campaign will be the recipient of a portion of proceeds from sales at Cunningham's (1 Olympic Plaza, Towson) on Wednesday, February 24. In fact, as added incentive for you to come by on February 24, New Day Campaign founder and director Peter Bruun will camp himself out there all day that day: buy a croissant or coffee or soup or salad and share your ideas or learn the latest on plans for 2016 and beyond. Can't make it February 24? No worries: donations are being taken at Cunningham's all month long. If you've not yet been to Cunningham's, here is a compelling reason to try it out. 
 

2016 Building Bridges Award to Peter Bruun

Congratulations to New Day Campaign founder and director Peter Bruun, who recently learned he has been awarded the 2016 Building Bridges Award by the Maryland Coalition for Mental Health Awareness for his "tremendous public service through the New Day Campaign." The Coalition, comprised of providers, community education, advocacy groups, and interested community members, works to raise public awareness of mental illness and recovery, and reduce stigma through education and outreach. Peter will receive his award at the Coalition's annual art event, this year held at the American Visionary Art Museum on May 19, 2016. We will share further details as the date approaches about this important event using art for mental health awareness.
 

Shout Out: Art & Addiction

Are you an artist whose work relates to addiction in some way, shape, or form? Then you may be interested in learning more about a platform for your art to gain visibility on a website viewed internationally. Visit Art & Addiction and check out what they have to offer, and how you might get involved. This is an initiative not unlike the New Day Campaign in its faith in the power of art to challenge stigma associated with addiction.