Our

Stories…

Everyone has their own story to live & tell.

 On this page some of our past & current students,

plus others, share their stories of their journey with us here at Karis House.

We thought you might like to know that all the verses and quotes on this page were all chosen by our students.

“Healing doesn’t mean the damage never existed. It means the damage no longer controls your life.”

~ ashley dubley ~

Hello! I’m Jessie

When I first came to Karis I had a life but wasn’t living it. I was so consumed by fear and darkness that even a simple task like leaving the house would end in a panic attack. I wasn’t able to do anything on my own or do normal things with my friends like every other 18 year old. My world was very small and very lonely. My way of living was very destructive to myself and to all those around me that I loved and cared about. Through the amazing love, kindness, patience, support and care of all the staff at Karis I found true healing and am now well on the way to leading the life I was intended for and for the first time ever, I’m excited about my future

Karis House is a charity and has no funding. All the work done here is only possible because of individual’s fund raising and private donations.

Help us change someone's story today

Before joining Karis House, I could not see a future.

My life was just about sleeping and the food I ate. I felt worthless and felt I was just in the way of other people. Every day food controlled my life and I had no energy to really enjoy life. I knew God but didn’t have a relationship with him. I felt like I was not good enough to talk to Him and was scared to let Him in.

Now food does not have the control it once did. I have grown stronger and able to make the right decision to not be ill after food. I no longer feel the need to say sorry 100 times a day and I am starting to see myself through God’s eyes.

The staff at Karis are amazing and are cheering you on every step of the way. They are there if you need help picking yourself up, they are there if you need someone to cry on and will be there to celebrate your achievements. They are like family and so are the other girls in the house. Karis has helped to change my life and give God the things that were weighing me down.

“Though I have fallen, I will rise.

Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.“

~ Micah 7:8 ~
how i can change my story

Hey, I’m Carly

Before coming to Karis I didn’t live a life but suffered through it. I isolated myself as I couldn’t cope with the outside world and the intense thoughts I would have on a daily basis. I would have very few safe places I could visit and only when my safe people where there. I would cope with the overwhelming thoughts I had by self-harming on a regular basis, one attempt even left me with a broken back and living with a disability.

I wanted an out but didn’t know how.

During my time at Karis I had a safe place to talk about everything that had kept me in my chains and I learnt new ways to manage and cope with life.

Nothing worth having is ever easy and the journey at Karis was far from easy but it was definitely worth it.

Now I’m working and studying to become a Paramedic, a job that didn’t seem possible at the beginning. I now have a bright future ahead of me and I’m excited to see where God is going to take me.

Karis gave me the safe place I needed to fight the demons that kept me chained to a life of depression and anxiety. It was my launch pad to a life where I’m free to follow my dreams and to follow the plan God has for me.

Hi, I’m Indie

I arrived at Karis house to begin on a journey I knew I should have embarked on a long time before. It was a second chance for me to live a life I had not always seen myself living. When first coming to Karis I was an inwardly, terrified and anxious girl that wanted to escape and run from everything. Barely clinging onto the hope I’d find anyone that cared for me more than I could ever care for myself. I can confidently say I’ve not experienced such an acceptance and love as from the staff at Karis. They believe in my future which in time helped me to believe in my own future.

Hi! I’m Laura

Before coming to Karis House my life felt like it wasn’t worth living. I suffered with severe depression, anxiety and many other life controlling issues. I felt paralysed by these issues and resorted to negative behaviours to try and overcome them. Karis House has helped me to see that there is hope and that God has an amazing future planned out for me. When I struggle to see this hope, the staff at Karis hold on to it for me.
Karis House is a charity and has no funding. All the work done here is only possible because of individual’s fund raising and private donations.
Help us change someone's story today

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, sure and strong.“

~ Hebrews 6:19 ~
how i can change my story

Hello! I’m Anna

Before I came to Karis House I was just existing rather than living life.

My experiences led me to incredibly dark places where I believed death was the best option for me and made numerous attempts. Being accepted into the house was a set of crossroads where I had been given the opportunity to fight and find life worth meaning or continue on the self destructive cycle which would ultimately result in death.

Throughout my journey I encountered many challenges but am so grateful for the continued support love and perseverance of those who stood by me as without them I would not be here today.

God gave me Karis as a place to call home and an individual who understood that the little girl was desperate to be loved and to belong in a family. Words cannot express how grateful I am to Jenny and her obedience to God as my life now is completely different, rescued from death and destruction. I am now a second year nursing student. I have nothing but gratitude and admiration for all that is done here reaching one girl at a time changing their stories for a life time. Karis. Loved. Listened Life.

Hi, I’m Jess

I came to Karis in a bad way. I had become very self-destructive and was a danger to myself. I was in trouble with the law. I knew my life was spiralling out of control but I felt completely powerless to stop it. I’d tried to get help from other places, but nothing seemed to work. Karis has slowly untangled the messes in my head and I have found a genuine healing. I can now do things I never dreamed of and look to the future with hope instead of dread.  
Karis House is a charity and has no funding. All the work done here is only possible because of individual’s fund raising and private donations.
Help us change someone's story today

“”For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.“

~ Jeremiah 29:11 ~
how i can change my story

A word from a student’s Mum

Karis House was God’s answer to our desperate prayers for His help for our precious daughter. They were a life line which brought our family to a place of healing & restoration. An amazing place run by extraordinary people who carry God’s heart of love for all those who are hurting & broken. Words cannot express our gratitude & thanks to Karis house. Our daughter’s transformation has been such a testimony to the staff support from all who serve at Karis house. Since returning home, she has shared her story with others & a number of girls from our local community have benefited from being part of the Karis house family. A truly amazing place!