KINGSTON, N.Y. — Almost a week before Thanksgiving, residents at Chiz’s Heart Street group home begin their preparations. With six turkeys to defrost and brine, more than 50 pounds of sweet potatoes to cube and giant trays of stuffing to mix, this is not a one-day job.

The meal will be served family-style, but many of the 60 residents do not feel welcome or comfortable being around their own kin.

Often, they’ve come to live in one of the five houses in the complex from local shelters, psychiatric hospitals or jail. Almost everyone at Chiz’s has struggled with mental illness, substance dependence or both. Many have nowhere else to go.

“People want to be seen, and they want to be heard and they want to be loved,” said Mary Chisholm, the founder and executive director, who goes by Chiz. “That’s it.”