A Pioneer ...Interlude's Founder Celine Karraker

As you get to know Interlude, you need to get to know it's founder - the late Celine Karraker. It is her caring vision that lives on each and every day as Interlude serves people with severe mental illness.


The other day I came across an article written by News Times reporter and non profit advocate Nanci Hutson, in 2008, in which she explored Celine's reasons for starting Interlude. Here is an excerpt from that article:
" "She was a pioneer," said Interlude executive director Kathleen Deschenes.

In the late 1970s, when Karraker was seeking the resources to open Interlude, institutionalization was the typical treatment for people with mental illness, Deschenes said. The first Interlude clients were people age 50 and older who had spent much of their adult lives in hospitals. Karraker knew that didn't work, Deschenes said. Her daughter, Nell, diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1969, when she was just a teenager, was sent from "one terrible place to another," Karraker said in a 1998 interview. Nell died in 1995.

"Celine never followed the rules" while collecting what she needed to build the organization.

She did not want money to be what dictated how the agency operated, so she made sure it had diverse funding -- a combination of state and federal grants, private grants and donated dollars, Deschenes said.Despite such setbacks and the struggles of clients whose illnesses are so severe they do not progress as they'd like, Deschenes said the agency has never lost sight of Karraker's vision.

In everything it does, Interlude remains committed to helping people with mental illness live successfully in a community setting. Clients are encouraged to do what they are able to do, when they are able, she said."The cornerstone of Interlude's work is to instill hope in each client and to approach each individual holistically," Deschenes said. "

Interlude is proud to continue Celine's caring vision today, and proud to have supporters like you who care enough to help us change lives. Please continue her legacy and give a gift today. Thank you.

Interlude's promise of humane, compassionate care is rooted in Karraker's desire to find a better place than an institution for the mentally ill, Deschenes said.

From Homelessness to Hope - Interlude Breakfast Fundraiser features client stories

At Interlude's Community Support Awards Breakfast fundraiser on May 21st, a room full of over 200 Interlude supporters directed their attention to the video screen where they heard and saw some of the life story of Diana, Interlude Recovery Program cliet.

"My mother used to beat me until I stopped crying, I wasn't allowed to cry," said Diana in the video, struggling to hold back the emotions inside.

Diana struggles with the illness BiPolar Disorder. Trying to cope with her traumatic past and her mental illness, she turned to alcohol and became addicted.

Several years ago someone called 911 when they saw Diana staggering across a city street, looking ill and worn. At the hospital she met an Interlude staff member who recommended she come to Interlude - a safe place providing housing, support services and advocacy to people like Diana.

"At first, she was afraid and was overwhelmed by having a bed of her own," said Cynthia, Clinical Director at Interlude and formerly the Recovery Program director. The Recovery program, one of only three of its kind in the state of CT, provides case management services to people with a co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorder through a treatment method that addresses every dimension of a person's needs.

In short, Interlude helps treat the whole person, not just the mental illness.

"I stayed in my room a lot at first," said Diana. "But gradually I came out and got more involved. I came to trust the staff - they were great."

Diana was able to learn how to cope with her mental illness symptoms and her urge for alcohol, and recently celebrated three years of sobriety. She also recently was able to move from the main Recovery program to an apartment in the nearby Recovery 'step down' program' - a step closer to living on her own.

"I got the help I needed," said Diana in her video interview. Diana, also an artist, shows off her beautiful color paintings of flowers in the movie as well.

At the Breakfast event former Interlude client April, also at one time in the Recovery Program but now living on her own, shared some of her life story also.

"I'm here to tell the story of a woman who once felt hopeless and was at times homeless, who now is living independently, doing well, and is the proud mother of a baby girl named Indigo. That woman is me," shared April.

Interlude was grateful and humbly overwhelmed by the support at the Breakfast from our event sponsors, volunteer award recipients, live auction donors & bidders, table hosts, and all those who pledged to give a gift that morning to help people like Diana and April find hope.

For more on the Breakfast read our spring newsletter at http://www.interludeinc.org/general/news.php  and for photos from that morning, go to http://picasaweb.google.com/InterludeIncPhotos/InterludeSCommunitySupportAwardsBreakfastFundraiserMay21st2010?feat=directlink  .

Thanks from Your Friends at Interlude