Meet the Director of Our Cultural Faith-Based Empowerment Program
September 2026
What motivates you to get out of bed every morning? For Angela Russell, it’s getting to meet people where they are and create spaces so they can learn, connect, laugh and reflect on their experiences.
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As Director of Envision Unlimited’s Cultural Faith-Based Empowerment program, she works with clergy, faith leaders, organizations and community members to support individuals’ emotional and spiritual wellbeing. The goal is to make mental health education approachable and relevant while giving people tools to respond to life’s challenges.
Envision Unlimited launched the program in 2024, and it’s already making an impact on Black and Brown communities, which are typically left out of mental health conversations.
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“We often hear that we are a welcome resource because we bring important discussions directly into areas where people live, worship and gather,” Angela said. “We are now being asked, ‘When are you coming back?’ or ‘When is the next event?’”
The program’s free mental health and wellness workshops use art, interactive activities and shared experiences as ways to tap into mental wellness and spark conversation. One regular attendee credits the program for helping her better understand her relationship with her daughter.
“Those are the moments that stay with me — when someone takes something from a workshop and applies it to their everyday life,” Angela said. “That says a lot about the environment we are creating.”
Angela brings more than 25 years of experience in mental health and community services to her role. Before joining the Cultural Faith-Based Empowerment team, she served as a Rehabilitative Services Assistant (RSA) with our Clustered Housing program. Earlier in her career, she held a variety of roles focused on behavioral health, crisis response, case management, education and community support.
She hopes the Cultural Faith-Based Empowerment program will continue to expand its reach and build more partnerships with faith communities, libraries and organizations. Last year, she received the Community Pioneer Award at the Democrats of Thornton Township gala, where she was recognized for her outreach activities to bring mental health and wellness education to Thornton Township.
“Receiving this award means more than I can express,” she said. “It represents the growing acknowledgment that our communities truly need accessible health education, support and stigma-free spaces.”
The Cultural Faith-Based Empowerment program is currently planning workshops and mental health first aid trainings at local libraries this fall. Learn more about the program and stay tuned for information.