About Us
The beginning is the most important part of the work.
History
Karen’s House was established in 2018 with the use of a family integration model. At the age of 7, I lost my mother Karen…. I was fortunate to have my grandfather step into the role of conservatorship. Being an only child, I was raised with extended family and dealt with the stigma of an undiagnosed medical condition ADHD, which led to me being labeled as “hard headed”. These life experiences molded me to become the person I am today both personally and professionally, and also ignited my passion for Karen’s House. Our clients at Karen’s House deal with lifelong conditions that often requiring pharmacotherapy or counseling. Regardless of the difficult day to life challenges our clients face, Karen’s House’s goal is that they thrive in an environment that nurtures and enable them to achieve their highest quality of life.
Karen’s House is an all-female, 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home with a 3-car garage. This setting provides for 1,800 sq. ft of spacious living arrangements, including a large kitchen, with separate living and family rooms, private bedrooms, and a backyard for recreation. Today Karen’s House works in conjunction with conservators to develop a collaborative working relationship from the beginning so that treatment decisions reflect a balance that advocates for the consumers residing at Karen’s House.
Temika Trinã Jacobs (Kym)
Founder and Administrator of Karen’s House
Meet The Director
Temika “Kym” Jacobs is the Founder and Administrator of Karen’s House, located in Fresno, CA. Karen’s House provides residential based care and supportive services to clients with intellectual, developmental, physical, behavioral disabilities and other special needs. Prior to establishing Karen’s House in 2018, Ms. Jacobs served as the Project Director / Program Director for the Fresno EOC Foster Grandparents Program, and served as Site Director for the Catholic Charities Diocese of Fresno. While with Catholic Charities Ms. Jacobs managed multiple programs and funding sources, served as a mentor, trainer, and partnered with various community organizations.
Ms. Jacobs is an accomplished executive with comprehensive leadership experience in operations, budget oversight, program development, administration, and training. Ms. Jacobs has more than 20 years of working with various target populations including youth, elderly, and incarcerated populations, as well as adults with disabilities, specifically nonverbal autistic adults. Additionally, Ms. Jacobs has more than ten years of experience in the field of education and counseling, working collaboratively to promote literacy and academic success in primary, secondary, and post-secondary settings.
Ms Jacobs is highly involved in community efforts to collaboratively combat poverty, food insecurity, advocacy for persons with disabilities and youth and senior programs where she has actively sought after opportunities to create positive transformations in the community. Temika earned a bachelor’s degree in Human Services and holds a Master of Arts in Education and Training. Over the years she has received several certificates and awards including a Hands Across the Valley Award. She also received an award for being an outstanding foster parent, mentoring youth to successful family reunification from Positive Attitude Outlook Inc.
“As the Administrator of Karen’s House, every day is a chance to do something different and make a huge impact on the lives we touch. My goal is to ensure individuals with Intellectual Disabilities have knowledge and access to community services, community outreach, individual and peer support and all other forms of assistance that promote independence, inclusion, work opportunities and health services.”