A Cup With: Karson’s Kompassion Project

Some decisions change the course of a life.

Eight years ago, Debbie Harrison made one of those decisions.
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After losing her only daughter, Karson, in January 2018, Debbie found herself standing at the intersection of unimaginable grief and an uncertain future. She could allow tragedy to have the final word, or she could spend the rest of her life making sure love did.

​She chose love.

"When the word murder was introduced into the conversation, I immediately saw it as an act of evil," Debbie shared. "I made the decision to dedicate my life to ensuring that love and light overcame the evil that took Karson from this earth."

That decision became Karson's Kompassion Project, a nonprofit dedicated to serving vulnerable children and communities through mentorship, outreach, and acts of compassion inspired by Karson's life.

"My daughter had a heart for people," Debbie said. "She noticed people who had needs but weren't screaming out loud."

Today, that same heart continues to shape every child the organization serves.

One story, in particular, has stayed with Debbie.

Three years ago, she mentored a young boy at a local elementary school whose family was navigating significant challenges. Although he eventually aged out of the mentoring program, the relationship they built never faded.

They continued spending time together outside of school, and Debbie remained a consistent presence in his life.

When he graduated from fifth grade, his mother was in the hospital and unable to attend the ceremony.

So Debbie went. "I showed up," she said. "He may not always remember the things I gave him or the things we talked about, but he will remember that I showed up."

Sometimes that's what people remember most. Not the gift. Not the advice. Simply that someone cared enough to be there.

For Debbie, that moment captures the heart of Karson's Kompassion Project.

"We care about relationships," she said. "We really want to pour into the lives of children."

It is a mission built on consistency, compassion, and reminding children that they matter. Over the years, that same spirit has been reflected in the community surrounding the organization.

Born from tragedy, Karson's Kompassion Project has been sustained by neighbors, volunteers, donors, churches, businesses, and countless people who continue to believe in its mission.

"The community rallied and donated generously so we could continue doing work in Karson's memory," Debbie said. "I'm grateful that, eight and a half years later, her life continues to have impact."

Whether through financial support, volunteering, prayer, or simply attending a fundraiser, every act of generosity reminds Debbie that she isn't carrying the mission alone.

"The community continues to show up for us," she said. "We couldn't do it without them."
During our One Year Celebration, we had the privilege of recognizing Karson's Kompassion Project as one of four local nonprofits making an incredible impact throughout our community.

While the donation was meaningful, Debbie reminded us that partnerships like these are about more than financial support.

"It's not always about the monetary gift as much as it is about raising awareness that we exist," she said. "Events like this allow more people to hear about us and maybe spark their heart to partner with us in ways we hadn't even imagined."

As the organization continues to grow, so do the needs.

Internationally, Karson's Kompassion Project is working to raise $10,000 to repair a well in Africa that serves children in communities Karson loved during her time as a missionary. Closer to home, Debbie hopes to expand the organization's mentoring program into additional elementary schools, creating even more opportunities to invest in children who need consistent encouragement and support.

Like many nonprofits, those dreams require volunteers, financial resources, and people willing to invest their time.

"Nonprofit life is not for the weak," Debbie said with a laugh. "Everything costs money, and people's schedules are full. We always need volunteers, and we always need people willing to support the work."

Yet even with the challenges, her hope remains steady.

"I think it's simply showing up for each other," she said. "Everybody has struggles. I wish we lived in a world where there weren't vulnerable children, but they're everywhere... in the grocery store, at the park, at school. Just keep your eyes and your heart open, and be willing to show up for people when they need it."

Looking back, Debbie remembers the days immediately following Karson's death, when friends started a GoFundMe campaign to build shade structures in Africa in Karson's memory. At the time, she thought that if those children alone benefited from Karson's life, it would have been enough.

Today, she sees a much bigger story unfolding.

"I can't even begin to count the number of lives that have been impacted for good," she said. "I'm excited to continue pouring into more children, building deeper relationships, and helping set a better trajectory for their lives."

Debbie often says the mission began because one life mattered.

Today, that one life continues to ripple through classrooms, neighborhoods, communities, and even across the world.

Maybe that's the beautiful thing about compassion.

​You never really know how far it will travel once someone decides to show up.