Hello, my name is Jeffrey. I am the Facilities Manager and Peer Support Specialist at Karis Community and the Stepping Stone Cottage and alumni of Karis. I was in the program at Karis for two years and then moved to the cottage, where I lived for an additional two years. Before Karis, I was homeless, addicted to drugs and alcohol, and in and out of assisted living facilities. I did not have a job, a car: a checking, or a savings account. Today I live on-site at Karis. I am getting a car very soon, and I have been working for Karis for seven months. I have been clean and sober for five and a half years. I will never go back to that lifestyle ever again.
What made Karis work for me was the Community and Empowerment Program. The program includes responsibilities such as twenty hours of work, school, or volunteering. Cooking for the Community was incredibly beneficial to me. Before Karis, I struggled with my mental health and addiction to drugs and alcohol. I did well for a while. I had my own lawn maintenance business, but my addiction was at the time was taking all my money and my health. I got out of that situation right around the same time my mother passed away and have been clean and sober ever since.
While at an assisted living facility in Tampa, Florida, I became friends with another recovering addict. We attended twelve-step meetings, stayed clean and sober, and managed our illnesses. He and I visited Colorado when a hurricane was about to hit our Florida apartment, and we were asked to evacuate. His Mom said that if we liked Colorado, we should apply to Karis Community. We were not familiar with Karis but decided to apply. We were both accepted into the Community, and our lives began to improve. My friend worked at Subway, and I started taking culinary classes at 2succeed. My friend eventually left the Community, which was difficult for me since he was my only friend in Colorado. However, staying at Karis was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I continued to do the culinary classes at 2succeed, and six months later, I graduated. I immediately got a job at Racines, working as a dishwasher. The head chef quickly noticed my cooking skills, and I was promoted to prep cook. Working as a prep cook, I learned to work on the line and later was a line cook. Following the pandemic, Racines was sold and sadly closed its doors.
“My life is so much better because of Karis. Working at Karis is a dream come true. Talking to Community Members about their day or week is so rewarding.”
Finding new work was challenging during the time. However, I did find various employment at both The Bagel Deli and the Safe Outdoor Space homeless shelter before receiving a job offer at Karis Community. I love working at Karis. Helping others and seeing them improve is awesome. ”Recovery is something that you have to work on every day, and it’s something that doesn’t get a day off,” a quote from Demi Lovato. Recovery is not easy, and it takes a lot of hard work, but I think Karis makes that a little easier. One thing that helps me is remembering why I started this journey to recovery and what it was like before I found Karis. I don’t want to go back to how I lived before and hopefully never will.
My life is so much better because of Karis. Working at Karis is a dream come true. Talking to Community Members about their day or week is so rewarding. Hearing their goals or how they are looking for work is great! Seeing new Community Members after their thirty-day review in the kitchen cooking their first meal makes me happy. Many people that come to Karis have never cooked for a large group before but seeing them do it and surprise themself is cool to me. I also co-facilitate socialization group. This is a fun group where we usually play card or board games or occasionally go to Liks for ice cream. At Karis, there is always something to do. Even if it’s letting someone into their room when they’re locked out or doing repairs to the building. My colleague Drew taught me so much too. I can do plumbing, electrical, and various other handyman jobs. My job is never boring.
Karis has helped so many people, including me! After taking my Peer Support Specialist training, I learned how to manage residents in difficult times or experiencing trauma. I have continued my Peer Support Training and now have my official certification. Seeing Community Members get their lives back helps me keep moving along the right path.
Jeffrey Wade, Karis Alumni (and current staff member)