Our Mission
To provide a community where people heal together.
Our Vision
To create a world where people with mental illness can connect with others
who understand their experience and can support their growth.
Our Values
Our History
Karis Community offers a community-oriented residential program for adults managing serious and persistent mental illness as well as co-occurring substance use disorders. Karis (the Greek word for grace) was founded in 1976 as a retreat center for those needing respite from life stressors. Following WWII, Great Britain discovered that veterans experiencing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder could recover significantly in communal environments. This approach helped shape Karis’ therapeutic community model. At Karis, our work lies at the intersection of mental health, trauma, and substance use. Recovery goals include managing and reducing symptoms, learning coping strategies, developing life skills, and restoring the capacity to engage in healthy relationships with others.
People experiencing mental illness are often marginalized, stigmatized, and made to feel ashamed of their illnesses. They face societal abuses, such as barriers to health care, lack of employment, difficulty accessing and maintaining housing, and discrimination. Many Community Members have experienced homelessness; sexual, emotional, and physical abuse; dysfunctional relationships; suicidal ideation; alcohol and substance misuse; and isolation in institutions. There is an alarming lack of affordable mental health treatment options for individuals who may not require hospitalization but are not ready to live independently. Karis’ program equips Community Members with the skills and tools to find employment, reduce costly and traumatic hospitalizations, and strengthen relationships with others.
