Caris Foundation™ is a Texas Non-Profit Private Foundation established in Irving, Texas, in 2002 to aid and empower impoverished people. In doing so, the foundation seeks to establish a local presence within communities in order to understand the people’s basic needs and implement solutions that are culturally relevant and sustainable.

Caris is the Greek word for grace. 

Caris – χαρις (khar'-ece):  a: a favor done without expectation in return;  b: the absolutely free expression of the loving kindness of God to men finding its only motive in the bounty and benevolence of the Giver;  c: unearned and unmerited favor.

The Foundation is solely funded by Kathryn and David D. Halbert, Kristen and Jeff Barstad, Shannon and Patrick Halbert, and Caroline and Michael Halbert.

• Our mission is to help people in need and alleviate as much human suffering as possible.

• Our goal is to implement solutions to suffering and poverty that are culturally relevant and sustainable.

• Our efforts are focused on the least fortunate where our resources can provide the greatest benefit to the most people.

• Our desire is to demonstrate grace to those who have the greatest need. 

“The hungry are fed, the thirsty drink, the homeless are sheltered, the naked are clothed, the sick are healed, the oppressed are released.” – Jesus

Kathy Halbert

PRESIDENT

Kathy Halbert is the cofounder of the Caris Foundation and is a major motivating influence behind the initiative of the organization. She has always had a passion for philanthropic work and demonstrates it in her daily life and in her community. Kathy provides the “spiritual heartbeat” for the Caris Foundation as well as leadership and direction concerning the management, application and use of Caris funds. 

Christopher Harmon

VICE PRESIDENT

Christopher’s educational and professional experiences in business management have proven vital to Caris’ operational success. His abilities to problem solve and proactively manage projects across continents have resulted in a remarkable impact in the lives of those the foundation serves. Christopher’s hands on style and relentless effort in the face of adversity have become trademarks of the Caris Foundation.

Jim Reppart

KENYA director

Jim Reppart brings to Caris Foundation more than 50 years of experience in Africa. He and his wife Laura, prior to her untimely death in 2012, planted churches, equipped church leaders and served the urban poor. Jim is now remarried to Dorcas Mkongo. They live on their farm in a small Kenyan community among the very people to whom Caris Foundation ministers. Jim facilitates the Caris Foundation initiatives in Africa.  

Nathaniel Segaren

ASIA director

Dr. Nathaniel Segaren, MD, MRCPCH, MA, MPH, MBA is a Pediatrician, who trained at Cambridge University, UK. In Cambodia we are working, in partnership with the Government, to screen and treat correctable visual problems within all students enrolled in government Secondary schools nationally. This program (1.02 million students)  is carried out through our 6 regional offices and allows us to provide same day, ‘on the spot’ prescription glasses to students and their teachers. In Sabah, Malaysia the team is working to serve the health needs of some of the most vulnerable and poor communities within the country. Helping with primary education, health promotion, WASH and non-communicable diseases out teams provide direct community services. The team are also providing eye services to every State secondary school within Sabah, a population of over 100,000 students. 

Tessa Lewis

HAITI director

Tessa grew up in the UK and graduated with a BA hons. in French and Italian from Leicester University. After spending her year abroad in France and Italy, she returned home to finish her final year and then went on to complete a Masters in PR. In 2007 she moved to Haiti as Program Director of the Caris Foundation where over the years that followed, she has overseen a team of over 400 staff with seven regional offices. Tessa developed curriculums and launched Kids Clubs and Mothers Clubs that have provided invaluable education and psyco-social support to over 3,000 adolescents and over 10,500 pregnant/breastfeeding women living with HIV. Tessa is currently the Country Director of Caris Haiti, overseeing all aspects of the program, ensuring targets are met and often over-achieved. She is passionate about the work and believes that through education and empowerment, everything is possible.

Jane Gitahi

KENYA PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Jane is an integral part of the administrative staff and brings much wisdom, experience and spiritual depth to the planning and implementation of Caris Kenya projects. In addition to her responsibilities of designing, maintaining and monitoring the financial system, she also oversees women’s empowerment, personnel contracts, taxes and partnerships with other institutions. She has a heart for service, which is tempered by practicality and a marvelous sense of humor.