{"id":4618,"date":"2025-11-12T14:26:12","date_gmt":"2025-11-12T19:26:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mhamichiana.org\/?p=4618"},"modified":"2025-11-17T12:38:09","modified_gmt":"2025-11-17T17:38:09","slug":"lisa-kelly-awarded-social-worker-of-the-year-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mhamichiana.org\/es\/lisa-kelly-awarded-social-worker-of-the-year-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"A Deeply Humbled Honor: Why I Share the 2025 NASW Indiana Social Worker of the Year Award with Michiana"},"content":{"rendered":"

From Executive Director Lisa Kelly<\/em><\/span><\/h4>\n

I am profoundly honored and deeply humbled being named the<\/span> 2025 Social Worker of the Year<\/strong> by the Indiana Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW)<\/span><\/span>. My heart is truly full.<\/span><\/p>\n

When I look at the extraordinary social workers across our state who dedicate their lives to serving others, this recognition feels immense. Yet, I don\u2019t accept this award just for myself. I accept it on behalf of the incredible staff, the tireless board, and the devoted volunteers who make Mental Health Awareness of Michiana (MHAM) the vital force it is in our community.\u00a0 This award is a ringing validation of the crucial, life-changing work we do together in Michiana every single day.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Work That Matters: Our Shared Mission<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

This recognition from NASW Indiana specifically highlights the impact of my vision and leadership, and the success of our core mission: to ensure that mental health care is seen as essential and is accessible to all.<\/span><\/p>\n

For me, the most significant achievement we share is gathering a network of incredible clinicians to break down barriers to care, as we do with the <\/span>Pro Bono Counseling Project (PBCP)<\/b><\/a><\/span>. As a social worker, I know that the greatest barrier to care is often cost. This program is our solution, providing <\/span>free, professional counseling<\/b><\/span> to our uninsured and under-insured neighbors when they need it most. It is the purest form of service, built on the generosity of incredible volunteer therapists and the critical support of our donors.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Every time we reduce the stigma through educational outreach or connect a struggling person with a compassionate therapist, we are living the core values of social work \u2014 <\/span>dignity and worth of the person, and social justice.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Will You Help Me Keep This Work Going?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Receiving the NASW<\/a><\/span> Social Worker of the Year award is an incredible moment of validation, but it is also a call to action. It confirms we are on the right path, but the need in our community is still immense.<\/span><\/p>\n

This award costs nothing, but the services it recognizes require sustained support.<\/span><\/p>\n

I believe passionately that <\/span>financial distress should never stop a person from getting mental health care.<\/b><\/span> I ask you, as our partner in this mission, to help ensure that the <\/span>Asesoramiento Gratuito<\/b><\/span> not only continues but can serve every single person who applies.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Please, honor this achievement with a donation today.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Your investment directly funds the administrative backbone that makes this life-saving connection possible:<\/span><\/p>\n