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 was founded in 1976 as a retreat center for those needing respite from life’s stressors. Following WWII, Great Britain discovered that veterans experiencing Post-traumatic Stress Disorder could recover significantly in communal environments. This approach helped shape Karis’ (the Greek word for grace) therapeutic community model. At Karis, our work lies at the intersections of mental illness, trauma, and substance use. Nearly all of our Community Members arrive with significant trauma histories, and many experience co-occurring substance use disorders. Recovery goals typically include reducing symptoms, gaining coping strategies, developing life skills, and engaging in healthy relationships with others.
Karis takes an innovative approach to address mental health challenges. The program offers a secure, structured, and supportive environment that is conducive to healing and growth. Community Members at Karis can benefit from their fellow members’ peer-support and the individual and group therapy offered by the clinical staff. The structure and rituals of community life promote safety and growth. The result has been an exceptionally high number of Community Members who achieve long-term recovery and improved quality of life.
Karis is the least restrictive environment for mental health programming. Therefore, Karis has occupied a critical place within the broader continuum of treatment providers in Colorado, offering residential care to individuals who may not be appropriate for in-patient treatment but are not yet ready to live independently. Karis is the only therapeutic community of its kind in the region and one of few nationwide.
What does our logo represent?
Our logo represents mental health as a unique journey. The icon symbolizes each person’s distinct path and story. Some days may feel like a never-ending loop, filled with roadblocks or potholes at every turn. Other days feel smooth, filled with peace and gratitude. Most often, we feel like we are somewhere in between.
At Karis, we provide a safe space where individuals can learn to manage mental illness according to their own experiences and personal journey. What’s more, when we all come together, authentically and vulnerably, the ripple effect of that shared experience is transformative.