Over the past four years, it has been one of the great privileges of my professional and personal life to serve on the Board of Karis Community. As I step back and reflect on this chapter, I do so with deep gratitude for the people and the powerful sense of belonging that defines this community.
My professional background has been rooted in mental health care and nonprofit communities. Through my work with my own organization, Voluntad, where we support survivors of human trafficking, a vulnerable population, I have seen firsthand how trauma, stigma, and isolation intersect with mental health. Time and again, I have witnessed how untreated mental health challenges can compound instability and how accessible, compassionate care can create the foundation for long-term healing.
Karis Community embodies that same understanding: that mental health support must be relational, dignified, and community-centered. From my first board meeting, it was clear that Karis is not just a service provider; it is a living, breathing community. Karis is welcoming and allows for genuine and meaningful connections for those experiencing persistent mental health challenges; this is expressed in every shared meal, every group, every conversation, and every act of quiet encouragement.
“Sustainable recovery happens when people have consistent access to support, opportunities to build relationships, and spaces where they feel valued beyond their diagnosis.”
In my experience, I have learned that mental health services cannot exist in silos. Therapy alone is not enough. Housing alone is not enough. Crisis intervention alone is not enough. Sustainable recovery happens when people have consistent access to support, opportunities to build relationships, and spaces where they feel valued beyond their diagnosis. Karis understands this deeply. It creates an ecosystem of belonging, one that reduces isolation, increases resilience, and restores hope.
What has consistently inspired me over these four years is the integrity of this mission. In a sector that can often feel driven by targets and funding cycles, Karis has remained steadfast in its commitment to people first. We have worked hard as a board to ensure strong governance, sustainable growth, and strategic clarity, but always in service of the community itself.
I have witnessed members rediscover confidence and form lasting friendships. I have watched staff go above and beyond, not because they have to, but because they believe deeply in the work. And I have seen the courage of individuals who walk through the doors for the first time and choose connection over isolation.
“Supporting mental health communities requires more than services; it requires belonging.”
Supporting mental health communities requires more than services; it requires belonging. It requires spaces where people are known by name, where stories are honored, and where recovery is understood as a journey best walked together. In a time when mental health needs continue to grow, and access to care remains uneven, communities like Karis are not optional; they are essential.
My experience at Voluntad has reinforced for me that healing happens in relationships. Whether working with survivors rebuilding their lives or individuals navigating persistent mental health challenges, the common thread is connection. People thrive when they are seen, heard, and supported consistently over time.
Karis Community models this beautifully. It reminds us that mental health care is not only about symptom management but also about restoring dignity, fostering hope, and building communities where no one has to walk alone. For that, and for the past four years, I am incredibly proud to be a part of Karis.
By Dominique LaCroix, Board Member