CHRIS 180

MISSION

To heal children, strengthen families, and build community. 

VISION

To improve our community by providing children, adults, and families with high-quality, trauma informed behavioral health services and support systems. 

VALUES

CHRIS is an acronym that stands for our core values: Creativity, Honor, Respect, Integrity, and Safety. 

OUR HISTORY

We were founded by the Junior League of Atlanta in 1981 as Georgia CHARLEE (Children Have All Rights –  Legal, Educational, Emotional) to provide a brighter future for children in the state foster care system who had mental health needs. In 1992, we adopted the name CHRIS representing our core values: Creativity, Honor, Respect, Integrity, and Safety. In 2016, CHRIS Kids became CHRIS 180 – representing our commitment to helping those we serve change directions and change their lives. 

We help children, young adults, and families through mental health counseling at our CHRIS Counseling Center, group homes for abused and neglected children in foster care, adoption services, a Drop-In Center for homeless young adults, and a supportive housing program for single and parenting youth, ages 17-24, who are homeless or have aged out of the foster care system, and in home programs that strengthen families. Training is also provided for the broader community through the CHRIS Training Institute, with a focus on trauma-informed care. Our holistic approach enables children, youth and families to change the direction of their lives and become self-sufficient, contributing adults despite challenging circumstances.