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Kristen Bolena

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Bio

After emerging from over two decades in an abusive relationship that began in my childhood, I created the page "Survivor Support - Truth is Love" in December 2021. This page serves as a positive and supportive space for survivors of domestic violence (DV), intimate partner violence (IPV), and non-abusive relationships to help one another. My goal is to expand access to medical and mental health care and provide other essential tools to assist survivors in moving forward on their best paths. I am now pursuing a bachelor's degree in psychology to become more involved in supporting domestic violence survivors and enhancing their access to medical and mental health care, as well as other resources that can aid them in their journeys. I hope to combine my previous experience in corporate support and accounting with my psychology degree to collaborate with caseworkers, non-profits, shelters, and others in order to grow my "Survivor Support - Truth is Love" project. I have been accepted to a university, but I am still waiting for final details regarding transfer credits, Pell Grant eligibility, and scholarship opportunities that my school is exploring.

Education

Lynn University

Bachelor's degree program
2025 - 2027
  • Majors:
    • Psychology, General
  • Minors:
    • Community Organization and Advocacy
    • Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions, General

Valencia College

Trade School
2005 - 2005
  • Majors:
    • Accounting and Computer Science

Seminole State College

Associate's degree program
1999 - 2025

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Master's degree program

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Psychology, General
    • Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Non-Profit Organization Management

    • Dream career goals:

    • Accounting Team

      Connect your Care LLC
      2018 – 20202 years
    • Accountant - Floater

      Tijuana Flats Corporate
      2021 – 20221 year

    Research

    • Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other

      Various over two decades of Corporate Support & Accounting — Corporate Support l, Executive Assistant, Accountant
      2004 – 2022

    Arts

    • Self Therapy

      Jewelry
      2024 – Present
    • Self Therapy

      Painting
      2012 – Present

    Public services

    • Advocacy

      Survivor Support - Truth is Love — Starter/Owner
      2023 – Present

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy

    Entrepreneurship

    Frank and Patty Skerl Educational Scholarship for the Physically Disabled
    Coming out of a relationship of over twenty years of severe physical and emotional abuse, which started as a teenager at 15; and finding if contracted Lyme disease coming out of it, I look forward to furthering my education so that I can assist other survivors. Although I am not very mobile, I am full of passion, motivation, and brains. My hope is to one day have an organization which aids in helping in provide resources to better access for medical care and therapy, along with the other tools necessary in order to help them to be on their best path possible moving forward. I started my project Survivor Support - Truth is Love, on Facebook, two years ago as a safe space for survivors to support other survivors. It has since grown to over 500 connected survivors without the toxicity of other harmful pages I've seen. I have collaborated with other genuine advocate pages, and enjoyed my ability to reach out and help what little I could from my keyboard. My previous background for the past two decades, for experience and school education has revolved around accounting and corporate support. I believe this skillet will be an asset alongside the bachelors degree in psychology I am now working towards, which will allow me to work more with case workers and other non profit managers to be the groundwork of my Survivor Support - Truth Against Love project. I truly believe I can create a blessing from my own trauma and disabilities and be an asset to other humans whom I can serve. I have seen how the system works for survivors firsthand. I know that it is just the beginning once you finally make the choice to leave. There are scars and wounds that no one will be accountable for, that will need tended too. Some will be unhealable - leaving survivors disabled. I want to be there for these humans. From their first step out of the door. Letting them know that they are not broken or alone, and someone knows what they are going through and will be there to help and guide them down those rockiest first steps down their path. This is why I am motivated and passionate to finish my education. This is why my disabilities or lack of mobility will not hold me back. Because I want to be there to help those survivors forward.