Information for Referring Agencies

Karis offers a community-oriented residential program for adults managing serious and persistent mental illness as well as co-occurring substance use disorders. The Empowerment Program provides a safe, supportive, and minimally restrictive environment where fifteen residents are encouraged to pursue growth and personal change.

Empowerment

Karis is a therapeutic community that empowers its residents (Community Members) to take an active role in their recovery from mental illness. As the centerpiece of this process, Community Members are encouraged to set realistic therapeutic, vocational, residential, and social goals. They are supported and assisted by Clinical Staff and fellow Community Members in working to meet these goals. The Empowerment Program emphasizes open communication, cooperation, feedback, individual responsibility, and self-awareness to stimulate autonomy and healthy interdependence and improve the quality of each person’s life through personal and community growth.

Support Groups & Activities

Karis provides support groups six nights each week, three Peer Support Specialists who live at Karis and the Stepping Stone Cottage, and Community Members have continuous access to staff through an on-call phone utilized during crises. Community Members coordinate their schedules and activities, and there are no curfews. Frequent group activities, such as trips, sporting events, and social and cultural activities, are planned for entertainment. Karis values reinforce respect, caring, and the assumption of personal responsibility.

Requirements and Responsibilities

The minimum age for Karis is 21. Community Members must have a diagnosed mental illness, and those who struggle with dual diagnoses must receive additional support for their substance use disorders. Community Members must take their medications as prescribed, pay program fees in a timely manner, maintain physical safety, attend check-ins and group meetings, and be involved in meaningful daily activities such as working, volunteering, education, or outside treatment programming. Community Members support one another by cooking dinners, performing household chores, and attending at least three dinners each week. In addition, they must attend one support group per week, participate in bi-monthly goal groups, and attend Community meetings each Thursday evening. Alcohol and illicit substances are not permitted on the premises, and intoxication is not allowed while participating in the Empowerment Program.

You are at least 21 years of age.

Your primary struggle is a mental health diagnosis.

You can pay the monthly rent of $685. (We are unable to accept Section 8 Housing Vouchers.)

You are able to work, volunteer, or attend school for at least 20 hours a week.

You are working with (or willing to work with) an offsite therapist to assist you in your mental health journey.

You are able to take medication on your own.

If you are on medication, you are working with a psychiatrist in the local community.

You can attend at least three (3) Community dinners each week. Dinner is provided six (6) days a week.

You can attend at least one in-house evening support group per week.

You can attend Community Meetings on Thursdays.

You will be assigned monthly house jobs.

You are able to offer support to and receive support from the Community.

Substance Use: 90 days of not using marijuana, alcohol, or any other substances (both legal and illegal). Recommend attending outside support groups.

Self-Harm Behavior: 90 days of abstinence from behavior, including any suicide attempts.

Healing is possible today.

Please contact our Program Manager directly either via phone at 303-355-5546 ext.2 or email at dalia@kariscommunity.org.

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