What makes us unique?
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Karis Community offers a community-oriented residential program for adults managing serious and persistent mental illness as well as co-occurring substance use disorders.
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We are the least restrictive environment for mental health programming.
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We offer a program for individuals with mental health and substance use disorder, issues often treated separately.
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We believe that everyone deserves support that is inclusive and affordable.
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We highlight that recovery is a continuous journey.
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We reiterate that you can live a happy, meaningful life while managing serious and persistent mental illness.
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We emphasize that you are far from alone!
Our Goals
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Our Objectives
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Length of Stay
Community Members commit to six months’ participation and may stay up to two years at Karis, providing the much-needed longevity and stability needed to grow and succeed. A typical Community Member lives at Karis for an average of 18 months and then moves on to independent living. Success in this transition is directly related to greater independent living skills and the development of a personal support system.
Demographics
Karis serves adults (21+) managing serious and persistent mental illness as well as co-occurring substance use disorders. We support over 100 individuals each year, including Community Members at Karis, residents at Stepping Stone Cottage, applicants on our waitlist, and program alums.
Our Empowerment Program stands out with its deeply personalized, community-oriented support, guiding individuals on their journey to recovery and long-term stability. By providing affordable housing, healthcare resources, and employment and education support, we effectively eliminate the barriers that often hinder individuals from accessing proper care.
Karis has established a robust reputation in the Denver area and beyond, evident from the daily influx of referrals and information requests. Our work is particularly crucial as mental illness is twice as prevalent among low-income populations, primarily due to financial, housing, and healthcare challenges. We directly address these needs, making a significant impact.
Who We Serve
- In FY 2023-2024, 57% of Community Members were in recovery from a Substance Use Disorder.
- Mental health diagnoses included ADHD (27%), Anxiety (37%), Bipolar Disorder (37%), Depression (47%), PTSD (43%), and Schizophrenia/Schizoaffective Disorder (23%).
- 30% identified as LGBTQIA+, a group at triple the risk of mental health disorders.
- Before Karis, 53% were managing homelessness, living in a group home, treatment facility, or sober living environment, and 45% had no daily structure.
Affordability & Accessibility
Karis offers one of the most affordable therapeutic communities in Denver. For a monthly fee of $685, individuals receive lodging, meals, household supplies, utilities, and programming. This is a stark contrast to comparable programs that can cost upwards of $10,000 per month, making our services highly accessible.
We collaborate with WellPower, Jefferson Center for Mental Health, AllHealth Network, Heartland Mental Health, Community Reach Center, and Colorado Coalition for the Homeless to ensure diverse, comprehensive support.
The Stepping Stone Cottage
Isolation is a cruel reality prevalent amongst those managing mental illness. After reviewing exit interviews and online surveys from current and former Community Members over two years, it was concluded that additional services after the Empowerment Program were essential. Some individuals benefit from additional peer support within independent living before the transition into complete independence. In 2015, Karis opened the Stepping Stone Cottage (The Cottage), a smaller residence offering a peer-supported community for individuals who have completed the program yet still wish to reside in a community setting. Karis purchased a house near the original Karis building with the assistance of grants from the City and County of Denver Office of Economic Development and the State of Colorado Division of Housing to serve this need. The house allows seven individuals to practice the coping and living skills learned at Karis in a less structured environment. The Cottage allows people to live independently but not alone.
The Alumni Group
Karis provides support upon completion of the program. Community Members can join the Alumni Group and have an opportunity to meet for weekly check-ins with the Executive Director and the Program Manager. The Alumni Group provides bi-monthly support groups facilitated by Karis‘ Peer Specialist. Community Members often form lasting friendships at Karis and leave with rich support networks.
What if I'm not ready for Karis?
In July 2022, Karis hired a full-time Operations and Community Services Manager to our team. This position offers assistance, support, resources, and alternative options to those not yet ready to move into Karis. Contact dalia@kariscommunity.org for more information.
– Karis Community Alumni