Karius and Associates Blog

Kelly Karius has moved from failing her grade twelve year, to becoming an accomplished social worker in 20 short years. She is the mother of three children, two girls, stepsisters both aged 17 and a son aged 15. She was recently asked by her son – an amazed look on his face – “You went to University?”

After flunking out of school, Kelly went on to work as a waitress in a stripper bar. After enough figurative slaps in the face, she realized a little education is a good thing and returned home to her family. The truth – her gracious parents drove many hours to pick her up – and never once said “I told you…”.  She enrolled in a course to work with people with special needs. Two children and a divorce later, she realized a lot of education would be a really powerful thing. She enrolled in the Social Work Program at the University of Regina, a two year old clinging to her leg and a baby on her hip.

Grabbing that piece of paper out of the hands of the dark robed man, Kelly went to work for the people that hired the quickest, never realizing that they hired quick because most people left after they’d barely got started. Kelly worked in child protection from January 1, 1998 to December 31, 1998. To date, this was the toughest gig of her life.

Kelly left that comfy government jobs to cries of “What are you doing?”, “Are you crazy?” and “You can’t start a private social work business with only a bachelor’s degree!” , but bumblebee’s aren’t supposed to fly. Amid part-time jobs, including supervising children delivering free papers, and being a church secretary, Karius & Associates, an endeavor with unlimited opportunities for providing information and assistance to people, was born. Karius & Associates has grown tremendously since Kelly published “This is Out of Control!¡” A Practical Guide to Managing Life’s Conflicts. Kelly is trying to break the habit of laughing when she tells people that she is an expert witness for Court of Queen’s Bench in matters involving the custody and access of children. Karius & Associates is currently focusing on seminar development and delivery. Our promotions manager, the very capable and personable Gina Sametts, has been an incredible asset in promoting the services and products developed within Karius & Associates. Kelly creates her own schedule. Some people in her community think she does nothing.

Kelly is passionate about many things. Her family, helping others, providing and facilitating opportunities, meeting and knowing people and finding greatness in herself and others. She reads voraciously. If there is no magazine in the bathroom, she’ll read the instructions on a shampoo bottle. At any given time you can find four, five or six books lying around her home, bookmarked and ready to be picked up – or  more likely, laid open with a broken spine. Kelly has a friend who is shocked by her poor treatment of books.

Kelly’s passion for writing translates itself to quick and solid knowledge of what reads well. Kelly has a great effect on people, both in person and through her writing. She’s been told more than once that she’s changed lives. Her favorite comment was made by a client, who told her “You’re like a bird on the window, singing, with a rainbow behind you.” To which her accountant neighbor added, “Yep, squawking and shitting.”

Kelly is aware of this effect and gives consideration to everything that she chooses to release through writing. There are times when Kelly looks at what she’s written and wonders where it came from. She knows that God is providing the words, the motivation and the numerous unique opportunities that come her way.

Kelly has published various newspaper articles. All the information on the Karius & Associates site has been written by Kelly. She has written the self published book “This is Out of Control!¡ A Practical Guide to Managing Life’s Conflicts”. She has written and illustrated (questionably)  the very small, purposeful book  The Brief Book of Parenting: A Guide for Real Parents with Real Children. She has also written several seminars and manuals, and has begun a fictional series about Anna Freemont, Child Protection Worker Extraordinaire!