Courtesy of Kee to Independent Growth, Inc.`
By Rod Bacon
Karen Le’Que has a mission in life to help people struggling with mental illness, traumatic brain injuries, alcohol/substance abuse, or geriatric issues return to the most productive lives it is possible for them to live.
To accomplish this goal she is the founder and executive director of Kee to Independent Growth, Inc. (KIGI), a non-profit agency that she established in 2008.
A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Le’Que has received her CORE training certificate, Medicaid Services Coordinator (MSC), and New York State Department of Health training. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Human and Community Services from SUNY Empire State in Saratoga Springs as well as a Certified Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor in Training (CASAC-T) designation.
In addition to her penchant for helping people, Le’Que’s reason for starting Kee stems from family experience. Her husband, John, served as a combat infantryman in Operation Iraqi Freedom, returning with severe health issues that include PTSD and traumatic brain injury. He is in a program to address these issues but it is not through Kee.
Le’Que’s two brothers were also in the military, one of whom returned from active duty with issues with which he couldn’t deal and he died a homeless veteran.
“That was kind of like a steamroller and pushed the whole case management piece over the top and I said, ‘That’s it, I’ve got to do something for veterans as well as people who are disabled.’”
She started in her home with a staff that consisted of herself and one assistant. There are now 58 highly trained associates who serve 500 clients in eight counties.
