About KHA

Pain turned into purpose, for all of Baltimore.

Keeping Hopes Alive is a Baltimore based behavioral health organization serving youth, adults and families across Maryland. We combine clinical mental health care with rehabilitation, mentorship, family support and community experiences.

A grinning KHA youth learning to use a camera during Summer RISE

KHA youth, families and mentors gathered in a gym after a community event

412clients served in FY 2024 to 2025

Our founder

Karahn Alston

Karahn built KHA after overcoming depression, uncertainty and periods of feeling lost. His story is about redirecting pain into purpose.

He started with a grassroots Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program and grew it into a licensed outpatient mental health center, accredited by The Joint Commission and CARF, before turning 30. Many of the families KHA serves face grief, trauma, financial hardship, exposure to violence or the incarceration of a loved one. The KHA model meets them where they are and connects mental health care with real world support.

Founded KHA in Baltimore in 2022
Grew a grassroots PRP into a licensed, accredited OMHC
Leads the KHA Holiday Drive and Summer RISE programs

Mission

Simple, and still profound.

To help youths, adults and families find themselves, build their value and provide a safe, supportive environment to overcome mental health challenges.

Vision

We envision KHA as a leading agency in Maryland and beyond, providing individualized care, promoting wellness and helping clients reintegrate into their communities with strength and resilience.

Hope
Compassion
Integrity
Collaboration
Excellence
Empowerment
Equity
Innovation
Community

KHA youth holding certificates with their mentors after a workshop

Your Thoughts Become Your Reality “Mr. Karahn is changing our realities.” Prevention Through Exposure “True pillars of the community.” Find Yourself. Build Your Value. “He always feels supported and safe!” Your Thoughts Become Your Reality “Mr. Karahn is changing our realities.” Prevention Through Exposure “True pillars of the community.” Find Yourself. Build Your Value. “He always feels supported and safe!”

Beyond the therapy room

Summer RISE 2026.

Mental health support blended with recreation, mentorship, creativity, career exposure and community. The guiding idea: prevention through exposure.

Every week, a new skill and a new experience.

Summer RISE put young people in rooms they might never have walked into: a photo studio, a construction site, a barbershop, a commercial kitchen, Camden Yards. Each experience was paired with mentorship and mental health support from the KHA team.

KHA Summer RISE youth and staff together inside Sky Zone

Sky Zone Timonium

Recreation, movement and positive social interaction.

KHA youth holding certificates after the construction workshop

KHA Contractors with C-Cubed Contracting

Construction, engineering, tools, budgeting and teamwork.

Peace in Printing

Design, creativity, entrepreneurship and therapeutic expression.

Young participants practicing barbering at Cuts and Confidence

Cuts and Confidence with Mark Cut My Hair

Barbering, mentorship, self esteem and career exposure.

DGTL University

Photography, videography, podcasting, digital media and entrepreneurship.

KHA youth and staff outside Camden Yards before an Orioles game

Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards

Positive memories, community and childhood joy.

Partner With Summer RISE

Summer RISE is creating prevention, exposure, mentorship and community connection. We welcome sponsors and community partnerships with organizations that serve Maryland families.

Partner with us

Community impact

The KHA Holiday Drive.

What started as a small act of giving grew into a citywide movement of businesses, volunteers and community partners making the holidays brighter for Baltimore families.

Year one, 2022
Over 100 families supported with toys, gifts and essentials, so no child was left out.
Year two, 2023
500 toys, free haircuts and holiday meals, plus 100 pairs of shoes donated with Under Armour and winter coats.
Year three, 2024
Bigger partnerships and citywide volunteers, with features on FOX45 Baltimore, WMAR 2 News and The DMV Daily.
Year four, 2025
The biggest goal yet: 1,000 families with toys, coats, shoes and meals.

KHA is a phenomenal program. Thank you guys for everything. I can't wait for the next event!

Always Approved · Google review

Why it matters

Please support this program the kids in Baltimore need more guidance and role models that's doing the right things it's way more distractions now than it was in the 90/2000's they need more positive outlets

hassan alston · Google review

Leadership

The people steering KHA.

Clinical care, operations and compliance, each with someone accountable for it.

Karahn Alston

CEO

Built KHA from a grassroots PRP into a licensed, accredited outpatient mental health center.

Isaiah Hayes

COO

Works with Karahn to create spaces where men and boys can get mental health support without shame or stigma.

Ebonee Baker

Program Director

“Growth means more to us when it creates greater access to quality mental health support.”

Quotes from ACCESS Newswire, September 22, 2026.

Clinical team

Meet our clinical team.

Shakia Anderson, LCSW-C

Clinical Director

Ivory Marvin

LCSW-C

Courtney Hill, LCPC

Rehab Specialist

Taylor Miller

LGPC

Angie Hayes

Nurse Practitioner

Donna Burke

Rehab Specialist

Accreditations & Compliance

Held to national standards.

Independent reviewers check our care, safety and outcomes. That is what accreditation means.

The Joint Commission

KHA OMHC is accredited by The Joint Commission. Accredited for Behavioral Health Care and Human Services, including outpatient therapy and substance use early intervention. Verifiable on the Joint Commission Quality Check site.

CARF

KHA PRP is accredited by CARF. Accredited by CARF since 2022, recognizing our commitment to quality, outcome measurement and client centered services.

Maryland BHA

Licensed by the Maryland Behavioral Health Administration as an Outpatient Mental Health Center (OMHC).

Our team

Who you will meet.

Tap the play button on a card to hear from each person.

Karahn Alston

CEO

Taylor Miller

LGPC, Therapist

Nashae Early

Case Manager

Photos coming

More on the team

Therapists, PRP staff, prescribers and support staff. Their cutout portraits are added as their photos come in.

Join the team

Voices of KHA

More from our young people.

Tap to play with sound.

Community gallery

Moments that keep hopes alive.

Workshops, giveaways, field trips and the rooms where care happens.

A KHA youth in a We Love KHA shirt reading a worksheet at DGTL University — Summer RISE

A KHA staff member and a child holding a Keeping Hopes Alive gift bag at the holiday drive — Holiday drive

Adults and children together at the KHA holiday event photo wall — Holiday drive

A smiling boy in a Summer RISE 2026 shirt against a blue wall — Summer RISE

A young girl holding a camera at the DGTL University workshop — Summer RISE

Children meeting Santa and a gingerbread character at the KHA holiday event — Holiday drive

The Keeping Hopes Alive front desk and waiting area — Our clinic

A young girl in a Summer RISE shirt smiling at Sky Zone — Summer RISE

Families choosing toys from a table piled high at the KHA holiday drive — Holiday drive

Two KHA youth practicing photography together — Summer RISE

Adults and young people together in the kitchen after a KHA cooking class — Summer RISE

A KHA youth drawing a t shirt design at Peace in Printing — Summer RISE

Volunteers handing out coats and gifts at the KHA holiday drive — Holiday drive

A young participant seated during a DGTL University session — Summer RISE

A smiling girl with beaded braids in a Summer RISE shirt — Summer RISE

A KHA therapy office with a teal patterned rug and a wooden desk — Our clinic

A boy pointing up excitedly during a DGTL University session, in black and white — Summer RISE

Two smiling kids in Summer RISE 2026 shirts — Summer RISE

A girl sitting with her arms folded on a table at the DGTL studio — Summer RISE

A KHA staff member greeting a young person at the holiday drive — Holiday drive

A thoughtful KHA youth at the DGTL studio — Summer RISE

A boy climbing at Sky Zone, in black and white — Summer RISE

The children's reading corner at the KHA clinic — Our clinic

A girl in a We Love KHA shirt relaxing on a swing — Summer RISE

A KHA staff member sharing a hug with a child at the holiday drive — Holiday drive

A girl playing in the foam pit at Sky Zone, in black and white — Summer RISE

Two boys laughing together on outdoor play equipment — Summer RISE

Rows of donated toys ready for families at the KHA holiday drive — Holiday drive

A smiling boy resting on the edge of the Sky Zone foam pit — Summer RISE

A KHA mentor playing with kids on a playground — Summer RISE

KHA Summer RISE youth and staff seated together at Sky Zone — Summer RISE

A girl taking notes during a KHA workshop — Summer RISE

A boy listening closely during a KHA workshop at the clinic — Summer RISE

A young participant listening in a circle of chairs — Summer RISE

A volunteer pressing a Keeping Hopes Alive t shirt — Summer RISE

A girl holding a camera and smiling at DGTL University — Summer RISE

A girl painting a t shirt at the Peace in Printing workshop — Summer RISE

A mentor being photographed by a KHA youth — Summer RISE

A KHA mentor coaching kids outside in the spring — Summer RISE

A young girl sitting at an outdoor table — Summer RISE

A mentor helping a boy design a t shirt — Summer RISE

A young participant drawing a t shirt design — Summer RISE

Kids writing together at a table during a KHA activity — Summer RISE

A smiling KHA youth in a We Love KHA shirt — Summer RISE

Keeping Hopes Alive

Hope starts with one conversation.

Whether you are reaching out for yourself, your child or a client, we will help you take the next step.

Start care Refer a client (443) 580-2610

KHA youth cooking together in a commercial kitchen

Hope Starts With One Conversation “HIGHLY RECOMMENDED” Healing Happens in Community “A safe space for those who are experiencing anxiety, past traumas, insecurities.” Your Thoughts Become Your Reality “I can't wait for the next event!” Hope Starts With One Conversation “HIGHLY RECOMMENDED” Healing Happens in Community “A safe space for those who are experiencing anxiety, past traumas, insecurities.” Your Thoughts Become Your Reality “I can't wait for the next event!”