Courtesy photo Steve Kieliszewski, NAMI Northeast Michigan board member, and his wife Erin Kieliszewski pose for a photo next to a NAMI display. NAMI Northeast Michigan was recently named NAMI Michigan's 2026 Affiliate of the Year.

ALPENA — The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Northeast Michigan has been named NAMI Michigan’s 2026 Affiliate of the Year, recognizing the organization’s outstanding commitment to building mental health support, education, advocacy, and community connection throughout Northeast Michigan.

NAMI Northeast Michigan was recognized during the NAMI Michigan Annual Conference in Ann Arbor and celebrated with affiliate members during the organization’s June board meeting. The Affiliate of the Year Award honors a local affiliate that demonstrates exceptional leadership, community impact, and dedication to NAMI’s mission of improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness.

Serving communities across Northeast Michigan, the affiliate was recognized not only for its impact, but for the persistence and dedication required to establish and sustain a NAMI presence in the region. Building a grassroots organization in a largely rural area takes years of commitment, volunteer leadership, and community engagement. Since becoming an official affiliate, NAMI Northeast Michigan has worked steadily to lay a strong foundation for long-term growth, ensuring that individuals and families affected by mental health conditions have a local organization they can turn to for support, information, and hope.

In 2025, the organization reached a significant milestone with the launch of its first NAMI Family-to-Family course, an evidence-based education program designed to support family members and loved ones of individuals living with mental health conditions. The affiliate has also built strong partnerships with organizations throughout the region and has plans to continue expanding opportunities for education, support, advocacy, and community connection in the years ahead.

“NAMI Northeast Michigan embodies the very best of grassroots advocacy,” said Emily Kieliszewski, President of NAMI Michigan. “This recognition reflects years of dedication, persistence, and compassion from volunteers who understood how important it was for Northeast Michigan to have a strong local NAMI presence. They worked tirelessly to build that foundation, and now that foundation is creating new opportunities to support

individuals and families across the region. We are excited to see the impact they will continue to make in the years ahead.”

Powered by a dedicated team of local volunteers, NAMI Northeast Michigan reflects the values upon which NAMI was founded: families helping families, communities supporting one another, and people turning lived experience into hope for others.

“We are honored to receive this recognition on behalf of all of the volunteers, community partners, and families who have supported NAMI Northeast Michigan over the years,” said Steve Kieliszewski, NAMI Northeast Michigan board member. “This award reflects what can happen when people come together to ensure that no one has to face mental health challenges alone. We are grateful for everyone who has helped build and strengthen NAMI’s presence in Northeast Michigan.”

Established as an official NAMI affiliate in 2019, NAMI Northeast Michigan was formed through a renewed effort to bring NAMI’s mission and programs back to the region. Today, the organization serves communities across Northeast Michigan through advocacy, education, support, and outreach. NAMI Northeast Michigan is part of NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization.

For more information about NAMI Northeast Michigan, visit https://tinyurl.com/NAMINortheastMI.