Karis Story

Chrysalis Graduate 2005

I, like Dorothy in the "Wizard of Oz", was spinning in a dark, cloudy, tornado, round and round, upside down, side to side in a violent twister. Not knowing where I'd crash down in the chaos and pain of drug, addiction, co-dependency and destruction.

After spending a year in prison, still very scared and uncertain, I finally touched down on solid ground at 2501 State and walked through the doors of a beautiful safe haven called Chrysalis. In this fortress of solitude, I learned to trust again.

I learned self-respect and I gained selfworth and dignity. I learned how to make healthy choices, number one, the choice to stay clean and sober. The blessings came by the multitudes daily. I was held accountable and learned how to hold myself accountable. Positive, healthy people who truly care about one another, who love and support one another, surrounded me.

At Chrysalis, there are curfews, house rules and guidelines that help one to become responsible. There are many wonderful classes, from Bible studies, boundaries, money management, cognitive self change, communications all providing life skills, to learn how to function on a daily basis in a positive, sober healthy productive manner. Interacting with the other residents on a daily basis, practicing these tools, helping one another to be better human beings.

Chrysalis brings broken families back together. It provides a safe, warm happy loving environment for mothers and their precious babies to bond and to be together again. We eat dinner together like a family, we do social activities, and we celebrate recovery, love and life together.

Chrysalis is blessed with people on the Auxiliary, Board, Churches and the Community who give so much time, finances, effort and love to provide so many of our needs. Each one of us has a mentor who becomes a friend and role model, a caring human being to show us the way. The Holy Spirit dwells in this house with us and for us. I used to be very scared of the dark no wonder I was in total darkness blind and paralyzed with fear.

Chrysalis was the vehicle through which God came into my life and deep into my heart. I'm no longer afraid, because now I am in bright shining light. I can see my future. My fear is now faith. I've learned to live, laugh, and love again. And being in this safe, warm nurturing cocoon called Chrysalis has allowed me to develop mighty wings. I am ready to fly. Again, like Dorothy, no matter where I go, no matter what I do, I can always click my heels together three times and know there's no place like the Chrysalis home.

Thank You Chrysalis for my wings!

Thank you sweet Jesus!