are living with a chronic condition in the United States. Around 53,000 of these young people die each year.

often results in stress and trauma that put the patient and family at risk for poor quality of life, diminished mental and physical wellbeing, and social isolation.

the psychosocial side of illness, nor do they address many patients and families’ desires to explore integrative or holistic healing options. Integrative or holistic healthcare addresses health within the context of mind, body, and spirit and combines the best-available therapies from a variety of traditions. Most insurance plans do not cover the services needed for a holistic approach to healthcare, and many patients and families who want to utilize these techniques are prohibited financially from doing so.

Communitas provides integrative medicine education and experiences, mind-body and mindfulness instruction, peer support, and empowerment with self-care skills for young people living with chronic illness, as well as to their family members. We seek to provide this care to patients and families, regardless of financial means, and hope to demonstrate we can save the healthcare system money in the process.

Communitas also believes that illness and adversity can actually lead to life enhancement, cultivation of resilience, and positive transformation if given the right tools, community, and environment. We think Communitas provides these things and more.