Check Out Kristen Donnelly’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Donnelly

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey began with a passion for helping young people, particularly those facing tough transitions. Early in my career I worked at the Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE), where I prepared youth for adoption, helping them find the stable homes they deserved. That experience sparked my interest in fostering resilience and independence in young people.

From there, I moved into working with foster youth, specifically focusing on developing life skills. I realized that many teens in the foster care system lacked practical tools for navigating adulthood—whether it was learning to cook, manage their finances, or handle everyday challenges. I saw firsthand the difference it made when young people had the skills and confidence to thrive on their own.

As someone who’s always been tech-savvy and passionate about developing innovative online solutions, I was inspired to create a space where young adults could not only learn life skills but also find a supportive community. That’s how the ‘On Your Own Community’ was born. I wanted to combine my passion for skill-building with the power of an online platform, creating a place where teens and young adults could grow, connect, and prepare for adulthood—on their own terms, but with the support they need.

Through my work with adoption, foster youth, and now in building this online community, I’ve been able to witness the profound impact of empowerment. I’m excited to continue growing this space and helping young people take charge of their futures with confidence.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
We are still in the early stages as far as the online community, but we’ve made some exciting progress! We’ve built out our webpage, established our presence on Facebook and Instagram, and I’m thrilled to say we’re officially a registered LLC! Right now, we’re in the final stages of perfecting the online community platform, and gearing up for a big launch on November 15th.

The road hasn’t been without its challenges, but that’s all part of the adventure. We’re now on the hunt for passionate, trailblazing teens (ages 14-21) and parents who want to join as founding members. It’s an opportunity to shape something from the ground up and be part of a community that’s going to make a real impact. There’s so much potential ahead, and I can’t wait to see where we go from here!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Throughout my career, I’ve worked in various roles that have always centered on advocacy, empowerment, and providing essential resources to vulnerable populations. I started at the Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE), preparing youth for adoption. That role taught me the value of stability and how providing the right support can completely change a young person’s trajectory.

I then moved on to work with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), where I was able to directly advocate for the best interests of children in the foster care system. My time there deepened my understanding of the challenges these youth face and the importance of life skills and emotional resilience.

Working with Ingham Health Plan and the Michigan Health & Hospital Association allowed me to step into the world of healthcare and resource management, where I gained critical skills in coordinating services, navigating systems, and providing necessary support to underserved communities. These experiences sharpened my ability to manage complex projects, work collaboratively across sectors, and solve problems creatively.

All of these roles have combined to give me a strong foundation in advocacy, skill-building, and resource development, which have been essential in starting the ‘On Your Own Community.’ I’m proud to have taken the lessons learned from these diverse experiences and channeled them into creating a space where teens and young adults can develop life skills, grow in confidence, and build independence.

What sets me apart is the combination of my passion for youth empowerment and my hands-on experience across multiple sectors. I’ve seen firsthand the gaps that exist in resources for teens, especially those in the foster system, and I’m determined to fill that gap with a supportive, accessible community. I’m especially proud of how we’re using technology to build this space, ensuring that young people from all walks of life have a chance to grow and succeed.

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Something surprising about me is that, despite my focus on life skills and working with youth, I’m actually a huge tech enthusiast! I love diving into the digital world, whether it’s building new online platforms or learning the latest tech trends. Many people see the human services side of my work, but what they might not realize is how much I enjoy the challenge of creating innovative online solutions. It’s that tech-savvy side of me that helped shape the ‘On Your Own Community’ and made it possible to bring our supportive space into the digital world.

One other thing that most people might be surprised to learn is that I’m actually pretty shy and introverted! Putting myself out there and building connections with our new members has been a big personal achievement for me. It’s definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone, but it’s also been incredibly rewarding. I never thought I’d be leading a community like this, but it’s become an exciting adventure, and I’m really proud of the relationships we’re creating.

Pricing:

• Teen Membership Monthly: $9.99 Annual: $79.99
• Parent Membership Monthly: $14.99 Annual: $129.99
• Family Membership Monthly: $24.99 Annual: $249.99
• Group Pricing starting at $49.99
• 1:1 and Group Mentoring starting at $40 a session

Contact Info:

• Website: https://onyourown.live/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onyourown.live/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onyourown.live
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnYourOwn_live