Karis Community

“The form 990 is provided to all board members electronically prior to filing electronically with the irs.”

“Board and staff members annually disclose and update, when necessary, any interest that could give rise to potential conflicts of interest.”

“The executive committee of the board of directors meets to evaluate the executive director and to recommend a salary and a bonus, if applicable, for the executive director. They use information from the colorado nonprofit association's bi-annual salary survey and other sources for comparison of market rates for salary. The executive director's salary is approved by the board and is provided to the executive director in a letter signed by the board chair.”

“Governing and financial documents are available upon request. Annual reports, including summary financial data for several prior years, are available at www.kariscommunity.org. This report also provides detailed accountability of the results of the served client/resident population.”

“Karis is located in the metropolitan denver area; however, we have established a local and national reputation for success. We receive referrals and requests for information daily, not only from the denver area but throughout colorado and around the country. During the 2023-2024 fiscal year, close to 1/3 of our community members moved to karis from states outside colorado. Karis is the only community-model residential program of its kind in colorado and one of few nationwide. There is a critical lack of affordable housing and mental health treatment options for individuals not requiring hospitalization but who are not yet ready to live independently. Due to the support of generous donors, karis can offer a low resident fee of 685 for a single room. This fee is considered extremely low-income housing in denver and helps teach accountability, financial awareness, and realistic integration into the mainstream of life. Our program is a stepping stone to independent living in the community. Our fees offer a representation of what life will be like outside karis. Monthly fees cover individual check-ins, support groups, community meals, household supplies, utilities, social and recreational activities, access to 24-hour staff support, and more. Other therapeutic communities charge upwards of 10,000 per month, making our commitment to accessibility and affordability unique among similar organizations. Most of our community members have financial resources below the poverty line; many have managed 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. Over the past fiscal year, karis experienced the following major accomplishments: - karis served over 100 individuals from july 1, 2023 - june 30, 2024, including current community members, residents at the stepping stone cottage, the alumni group, applicants on the waiting list needing immediate support, and applicants who may not be ready for the program but require resources. Of those individuals who were engaged in our empowerment program, over 80% of community members completed each of our agency objectives. - the staff tracks community members' living situations before arriving at karis. In the fiscal year 2023-2024, 53% were managing homelessness, living in a group home, treatment facility, or sober living environment; 37% were living with family members; 23% were living independently. This data reflects a positive shift towards more stable living conditions. Community members averaged approximately 443 days of housing in the supportive and affordable environment offered at karis. Four community members transitioned to the cottage upon graduation from the empowerment program, a testament to the program's success. The remaining graduates moved into varying levels of independence, such as single apartments, housing with roommates, or back with their spouses/families, indicating a promising future. - karis tracks community members' daily structure before entering the program and their ability to create or maintain structure during the program. This tracking process involves regular check-ins, goal setting, and support from our program staff. Upon arrival, over 60% came directly from various types of in-patient treatment or had no daily structure. During their participation at karis, over 85% structured their days with employment, volunteer work, school, or outside treatment programming. 15% were actively looking and working toward structure with the support of our program staff. - in the fiscal year 2023-2024, community members experienced 145 hospitalizations throughout their lifetimes, 36 hospitalizations the year before their stay at karis, and one hospitalization during their stay. Thus, hospitalizations were reduced for community members by approximately 97%. We carefully track the 24-hour on-call phone to assess when this service prevents hospitalization versus w”