KARM’S 9-12 month Berea program is built on four values: the dignity of work, the value of learning, the spirit of serving and the joy of living.
Everyone works their way through Berea, and every job assignment offers a learning objective that promotes discipline, responsibility, initiative and cooperation. Career planning and training through KARM Works is also a big part of a student’s Berea work schedule.
Berea curriculum covers a range of life skills including but not limited to: planning, healthy relationships, anger management, addiction recovery, spiritual formation, finance, etc.
Berea students learn the blessing of “giving back” and learn everyone has something valuable to give. Churches and local organizations provide important, fulfilling community service opportunities for Berea students. (If your organization has an opportunity for Berea students, contact Whitney Walker at wwalker@karm.org.)
In their co-ed dormitory setting, Berea students are learning to live in a healthy environment—how to treat men and women with respect, how to develop healthy boundaries, how to nurture friendships, how to navigate conflict, etc.
Berea’s guiding verse is John 10:10:
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
The over-arching goal for KARM’s Berea program is to usher students into God’s presence and introduce them to the abundant life He wants for them. Upon completion, students have realistic short- and long-term goals and Biblically-based plans for their future, supported by training and skills for employment—helping them break the cycle of homelessness and live the abundant John 10:10 life.