Happy Thanksgiving!
Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” – William Arthur Ward
Since I left Karis as a Community Member and started working for Karis as a Facilities Manager and Peer Support Specialist in June of 2021, I have noticed that even as an employee of Karis, I still get a lot out of having a community so close by. I think having a community nearby, since I live onsite, is very beneficial to me. Without Karis, I don’t know where I would be.
When I was 18, my father told me I had to be independent. I think this scared me, and it was the start of my depression. I tried to make it on my own. Looking for work and finding a place to stay was hard. At this point in my life, my addiction to drugs and alcohol began, and this made it hard to find work. I struggled with this pretty much until the day I came to Karis. What is unique about Karis is they helped me with my depression, and I also got help with my addiction by going to Recovery Support Group every week. I still go to the Recovery Support Group every week, even though it’s not required for me to do so.
After being at Karis for a short period of time, I found work and excelled in the kitchen at Racines as a cook. I’ve kept the momentum going since the very beginning, and I am very stable now and have been clean from drugs and alcohol for seven and a half years. My family and friends are very proud of me. Karis is very helpful to the Community, especially during the holiday season. I have noticed Community Members get stressed around the holiday season, but I have also seen them embrace it. It helps some people to have others around at this time of the year. I enjoy cooking a turkey for Thanksgiving, cooking a ham for Christmas, and spending time with the Community.
The holiday season often comes with increased stress, expectations, and social pressures. But to combat this, I think it is important to stay connected to loved ones and, of course, your fellow Community Members. I believe it is important to practice gratitude. It's important to focus on the positive aspects of the holiday season and express gratitude for what you have. Even if we can't be with loved ones, catching up on the phone, online, or with the community can help boost our mood.
I hope everyone stays safe during this time, as I know it can be quite stressful for some. When the Community gets together, I think it can help them manage their stress during the holidays. I really enjoy watching TV with Community Members and interacting with them even when I’m not working. It is helpful to come out of my apartment on the weekends or at night and see a Community Member and ask them how their day or weekend is going. I wish that all people could live in a community like Karis. Karis is very unique, and there is no other place like it. Sometimes, I am in my apartment for a few hours, and I will go outside to see if anyone is out there, and usually, there is, and I will sit there with them and talk to them sometimes for a few minutes or other times for an hour or two. Being able to go to dinners is great. I like to help the Community put meal plans together or help them in the kitchen.
Mental health during the holidays can be challenging for some people. The holiday season often comes with increased stress, expectations, and social pressures. But to combat this, I think it is important to stay connected to loved ones and, of course, your fellow Community Members. I believe it is important to practice gratitude. It’s important to focus on the positive aspects of the holiday season and express gratitude for what you have. Even if we can’t be with loved ones, catching up on the phone, online, or with the community can help boost our mood. Being there for the Community in hard times is very important to me. I enjoy watching them grow and learn more about themselves daily. I’m grateful for Karis and the way it helps people manage what they are going through.
Jeff Wade,
Facilities Manager and Peer Support Special
Former Community Member
Jeff,
What a lovely story! I have seen your growth over the years and am so proud of you. You are independent and are taking good care of yourself and others.
I am thankful you came into my life and you were able to embrace Karis. They had so much to offer to help people turn their life around. You are a wonderful example of working the program and coming out the other side whole. I am sure you are an inspiration to many!
Great job,
Your Kathy