Meet Nisha Banerjee!

Nisha started as Journey's Chief HR Officer at the beginning of 2023. Read more to learn about Nisha, her educational and professional background, her plans for the HR department, and how they will support Journey employees. Welcome Nisha.

Wow, Did you know that Journey will be turning 75? Our 75th Anniversary, as well as, the tail end of a pandemic, created the perfect opportunity for reflection on Journey past, present and future. The strategic planning process allowed us to for an organization to take a step back and to ask itself important questions. How has Journey earned the reputation as a trusted community provider? What are the concerns impacting the communities served? Where will Journey focus our efforts in order to be a vibrant and impactful community presence and partner for the next 75 years? It is pleasure that I introduce you to our new mission, vision, and values.

Mission: Empower people by providing connection, support, and services that meet diverse needs and strengthen the communities we serve.

Vision: Journey is the leader for specialized behavioral health services committed to ensuring people’s mental health is prioritized and barriers to care are overcome.

Values: Belonging, Collaboration, Compassion, Equity, Hope, and Integrity

On February 24, Community Support Programs (CSPs) attended a two-hour training called “The Role of Certified Peer Specialists: A Training for Non-Peer Specialists,” designed to demystify peer support at Journey.  

Organized and led by peer professionals, Tara Wilhelmi of the Black-owned grassroots recovery and wellness organization EOTO Culturally Rooted, LLC. and Alysha Clark of Chrysalis, the training was offered to both clinicians and peer specialists that work collaboratively within Journey CSPs.

Journey at FutureQuest 2022

In late November of 2022, Journey participated in FutureQuest 2022. According to the FutureQuest 2022 website, the event began in 2017 with the goal of providing career awareness to middle school students in Dane County.

Over 5,000 middle school students attended the event and the energy level was HIGH! Several students expressed interest in working in the mental health field and many had questions about what it’s like to work at Journey.

Featured above: Javiera Derks, Talent Coordinator

Journey Presents at Crisis Prevention Summit

On Thursday, February 16th, there was a day-long Crisis Prevention Summit at the Alliant Energy Center. The Summit was put on by the Collaborative Stabilization Coalition of Greater Dane County. Terry Murphy, Associate Director of Professional Development, co-presented on de-escalation strategies. Sarah Henrickson, Clinical Team Manager – First Responder Liaison, was on a panel that discussed proactive crisis planning and community response resources. Heidi Pankoke, Journey Board Chair, said “It was a great event and Journey was very prominent throughout.”

Hannah Flanagan, Director of ESU, and Heidi Pankoke are both on the Collaborative Stabilization Coalition of Greater Dane County steering committee and have been involved since the group started in 2019. Heidi added that “Journey is recognized by the Coalition as a collaborative partner and an excellent resource for law enforcement and the Dane County community in crisis response.”

Journey and The River Food Pantry

Journey has been collaborating with The River Food Pantry. On the first Saturday of every month, Journey has a resource table set up during their Pantry xPress session. Pantry xPress is a drive-thru service that offers an assortment of groceries, such as produce, milk, eggs, meat, perishables, bread, nonperishables, desserts, and FAM (Family At-Home Meals).

Featured above: Larissa Lederman, Administrative Assistant