KARIS COMMUNITY

Results: Evaluation/Measurement of Impact: Social Well-Being: Staff utilizes the Quality of Life Inventory (QOLI) to measure social well-being and quality of life. This tool helps Community Members set goals, track their progress, and evaluate the overall success of the Empowerment Program. The QOLI assesses Community Members' perception of their lives in the following areas: Health, Self-Esteem, Goals, Values, Money, Work, Play, Learning, Creativity, Helping, Love, Friends, Children, Relatives, Home, Neighborhood, and Community. In addition to being an excellent tool for each Community Member individually, the Overall Satisfaction scores demonstrate the program's impact on the community as a whole. In the fiscal year 2021-2022, Quality of Life Inventory scores improved for Community Members who completed the program. Work and Life Skills: Staff assess each Community Member's living situation before joining the Community. In the fiscal year 2021-2022: 28% were managing homelessness, living in a group home, treatment facility, or sober living environment; 55% were living with family members; and 17% were living independently. Karis also tracks Community Members' daily structure before entering the program and the ability to create or maintain structure during and after the program. Upon arrival, 45% had no daily structure. During their participation at Karis, at least 80% were employed, volunteering, or attending school for a minimum of 20 hours each week. Hospitalizations: In the fiscal year 2021-2022, our Community Members had a combined total of 205 hospitalizations throughout their lifetimes, 35 combined hospitalizations the year before their stay at Karis, and only four hospitalizations during their stay at Karis. Karis offers an effective use of scarce mental health dollars to help individuals learn to manage their illnesses without expensive and traumatic inpatient care. The cost of psychiatric hospitalization in Colorado averages $2,400 per day. A Community Member at Karis costs less than $22 per day. Outcome: 85% of Community Members completed each objective: consistent daily structure, reduced hospitalization, and positive transition to independent living.

Target demographics: Karis Community is a therapeutic community for adults (21 years or older) managing serious and persistent mental illness.

Direct beneficiaries per year: 100 adults

Geographic areas served: Denver, Colorado

Programs: Karis Community’s program offers individual check-ins, six weekly support group meetings, community meals, household supplies, utilities, and onsite mental health services. Most of our Community Members have financial resources below the poverty line, and many have experienced homelessness at some point in their lifetime. Nearly all Members utilize public support, such as Medicaid and Social Security benefits, to assist in their recovery process. We are passionate about keeping our program fees low to allow all individuals access to our program.