Kristen’s Story – Christie Scanlin Dobson

About the Project

Kristen's Story

Kristen Nicole Powell’s story is one of resilience shaped by painful cycles of trauma. Trapped in the revolving door of the juvenile justice system, foster care, and human trafficking, she endured a constant cycle, with little support to break free. A system failure that left her vulnerable and isolated. Despite these hardships, Kristen has found strength in sharing her story, using her voice to advocate for the need for healing, support, and systemic change to end the cycles of harm.

Please see a brief highlight from Kristen’s story below

Producer: Christie Scanlin Dobson

Co-Producer/Video Editor: Kalee Quiñones

Co-Producer/Director of Photography: Jeremy Osbern

Co-Producer/Sound: Chris Blunk

Co-Producer/Art Director: Erica Kjorlie Geery

Share it:

"I was 13 when I entered into the JJS. I got off of Juvenile probation at 19 and I am 25 now. I got off of adult diversion at 23. Foster care, running, placements. It was literally a living fucking hell, and that was just because I was either on the run, or I was in detention, or I was in a secure placement. I really didn’t spend a lot of time in the foster homes, because I just didn’t like to stay there. So, um, like nobody really tried to help me as far as like, relationships, and actually taking the time to invest in me. So like, I had a social worker, but I only talked to her really basically when I was in trouble. And um, I didn’t really have mentors, um, I didn’t really talk to my parents because my calls had to be supervised with my mom, and my dad, our visits had to be supervised by a therapist, and different stuff like that. So, it was just like a really isolated experience for me, and like my goal was always to turn 18 to age out."

-Kristen

Today Kristen is a co-founder of The Lost & Found Institute. The Lost & Found Institute was founded in 2023 in honor of the young people who often feel lost within systems, especially after experiencing trauma.

Help us share Kristen's Story.

Kristen’s story is one of the many stories of youth across the country stuck in the revolving door of broken systems. Help us share her story and amplify others by making a tax-deductible donation via our fiscal sponsor the Willow Domestic Violence Center or contact me for information.