“It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” – Charles Darwin
For those of you who are new to the Community, it is with great excitement that we find ourselves in a season of change and transition. We recently celebrated 45 years, providing a space of hope and healing to folks managing serious and persistent mental illness as well as co-occurring substance use disorders. Additionally, we recently honored the work of Karis’s outgoing Executive Director, E.J. Barklage, who served this community with grace, compassion, and dedication for more than twenty-two years. As the incoming Executive Director, an opportunity for which I am incredibly grateful, I feel that as we celebrate E.J.’s amazing work and begin to look towards the future, it is important to acknowledge that times of transition, whether personal or professional, can be as nerve-racking as they are exciting.
Change is inherent to life. And yet, while we may know this to be true, it does not always mean that we will recognize how to navigate the changes life may throw our way. Supporting our Community Members through life’s transitions is a cornerstone of the work we do at Karis. Each season in the Community provides a different opportunity to do just that. For example, when folks first move in and join the Community, we are presented with a season of adjustment to an unfamiliar environment, a time of “settling in.” Once folks have had time to settle and begin to feel a bit more established, we then come to a season of exploring different recovery goals and outlining the many ways we can start working towards those goals. And, of course, as folks continue along their journey, there will inevitably come a season for envisioning what one’s life after Karis might look like. When the season comes for folks to move on and continue to pursue the next steps towards their personal goals, it is ideally with an understanding and appreciation for the fact that not all transitions or changes need to be feared, but rather, are cause for celebration.
One of our most cherished and time-honored forms of celebration for those moving on from their time at Karis is the Rock Passing Ceremony. During a Rock Passing, there is an opportunity for each Community and Staff Member to reflect upon their experiences with the departing individual throughout their journey at Karis. From inside jokes to memories to strengths and progress observed over time, it is truly a memorable evening that helps to put a bow on a person’s season at Karis.
And as Community Members find themselves reflecting on all the work they have accomplished while simultaneously looking forward to all that is to come ahead, I currently find myself doing the same. I find myself overwhelmed with gratitude for the foundation within Karis’s clinical programming and lasting traditions. I find myself reading passages and picking the brains of those that have served before me to better understand how Karis has evolved over the last 45 years. At the same time, I am thinking about the future — how Karis can further move into a space of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how we can continue to grow while maintaining the program’s unique elements. Perhaps most of all, I find myself reflecting on how we can continue to evolve with best practices to meet the needs of our incredible community.
I want to leave you all with one final thought that I feel is worth remembering at this moment, and whenever we may encounter times of transition in our lives — do not underestimate the power of your support system. Researchers in the stress and coping field have cited that social support is one of the most significant keys to managing change successfully. At Karis, we strive to foster a sense of community amongst everyone who walks through our doors. Whether you are an incoming Community Member, one of the folks serving on our Board, a community partner itching to learn more about the work we do, or are supporting the mission of this incredible agency, we would not be able to effectively navigate periods such as this without each one of you.
In closing, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude for your backing of our Community throughout the last 45 years and for your continued support in the many years to come!
Be well,
Annie Wharton, LCSW, LAC
Executive Director