From Executive Director Lisa Kelly
The Power of Shared Purpose
As I reflect on the incredible work accomplished this year- “graduating” our first 2 masters interns and maternal mental health fellows, surpassing 1000 pro bono counseling sessions, 500 attendees at our May Wellness Fair — I realize that the language we use to describe our success often falls short. We say we achieved X, but the truth is, we achieved it together.
A nonprofit’s mission is a powerful chorus composed of many voices and contributions. This is why I want to dedicate this post to the people who make this chorus possible: our dedicated funders and donors.
The Investor and the Visionary
We view every grant and every donation as a strategic investment in shared outcomes.
- To Our Institutional Funders and Foundations: You are our strategic visionaries. Your commitment to long-term, sustainable funding transforms our day-to-day operations into a powerful, multi-year strategy. When you provide unrestricted support, you demonstrate a profound trust in our expertise and allow us the flexibility to respond immediately and effectively when the needs of the community change. This trust is the cornerstone of our partnership.
- To Our Individual and Corporate Donors: You are the heart and voice of our movement. Your giving is a personal endorsement of our work, a vote of confidence that fuels the energy of every staff member. Whether it’s a monthly gift that ensures steady resources or a substantial year-end contribution, your generosity ensures we can provide consistent quality services to the Michiana community
Beyond Transaction: The True Meaning of Partnership
What does this partnership mean in practice?
- Shared Accountability: We are not just accountable to our beneficiaries; we are accountable to you. We commit to measurable impact and real-world change.
- Shared Risk and Innovation: Tackling complex mental health system’s issues requires us to try new approaches. Your support gives us the vital breathing room to innovate, learn from what doesn’t work, and scale what does — a necessary risk that a strong partnership enables us to take together.
- Shared Success and Storytelling: Every success story — every life improved, every goal reached — is as much yours as it is ours. We are simply the conduits for the generosity and intention you place behind your gift. When community members report improved mental health and achieve their goals, we consider that a collective win for the entire partnership.
Looking Forward, Together
Our future vision for MHAM is bold. We aim to double our mental health workforce training and the number of peer support and counseling sessions in the next two years.
Achieving this requires deepening the bonds of our existing partnerships. We don’t just need resources; we need your ongoing feedback, your advocacy, and your continued shared commitment to the mission.
Thank you for being the indispensable partners that you are. Thank you for making our work not just possible, but powerful. We look forward to continuing to build this vital future with you, side by side.
Sincerely,
Lisa Kelly
Executive Director, Mental Health Awareness of Michiana (MHAM)
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Thank you for being a part of the MHAM family and for making mental health a priority in Michiana.
