OUR STORY
Meet Kristen & Sally
“We feel divinely led to bring Lakeview Wellness to fruition, and to co-create what’s possible with our community—At a time in history focused on division, building vibrant communities is a revolutionary act.”
Sally Kennedy
Kristen's Story
Kristen L Evans, Counselor, MA, LMHC, Co-Founder Lakeview Wellness
Following her career as Program Director for Y camps in New York and Indiana, where she ran programming for outdoor education, summer camps, groups and conferences, Kristen returned to school to earn her master’s degree in counseling psychology. After completing her degree in 2016, Kristen went on to work in community mental health for several years where she worked as a child and family therapist.
When her daughter was diagnosed with autism, Kristen left the career world to not only care for her son and newly diagnosed daughter but also to explore new ways to support her daughter’s growth and development in addition to what she had been advised by her daughter’s diagnostic team. Kristen began to research the connection between nutrition and brain health, as well as oxygen therapies, detoxing the body, and learning how to live a more commercially chemical free lifestyle at home in order to benefit all members of the family, but especially her daughter’s needs.
Motivated by a desire for a lifestyle change, Kristen and her husband sold their home in Indianapolis and purchased property at Lake Santee where they would go on to build a home and provide their children with a life in a smaller community with a focus on more outdoor adventure. During construction of their home and while expecting their third child, Kristen continued to support the needs of her little ones while also embarking on a new adventure, beginning her own private therapy practice. This would allow her the flexibility to continue to be home with her children for much of the week but give her the capacity to grow in her career and give back to her community.
Kristen now provides therapy for couples, families, and individuals. Her specializations include, ADHD, ODD, autism, depression, anxiety, parent coaching, trauma work, and struggles related to caregiving.
After just five months of living at the lake, Kristen heard about Sally and her son, as well as Sally’s dreams for the marina. Kristen knew that they needed to meet. They connected with one another quickly and a friendship and collaboration blossomed immediately. The two bonded through not just their love for their special kiddos but through their passion to work to build a healthy vibrant community with a focus on improving the lives of our most vulnerable populations.
Sally's Story
Sally Kennedy, Founder Lakeview Wellness
Sally spent 17 years with Avant Healthcare Marketing, most recently as a Strategy Director. There, she specialized in product launches, thought leader engagement, and leading teams to new ways of thinking in a highly regulated industry.
Working in the pharmaceutical space and navigating her son’s autism diagnosis, Sally became acutely aware of the disparity in the current healthcare model which tends to focus on pharmacological agents as opposed to holistic care and health and well-being. Although she dreamed of another way and a more purposeful life, as the sole provider and caregiver to her son, Sally felt trapped in the corporate world.
In 2020 Covid-19 forced school closures and 17-year-old Keagan began staying at home full time, where he very much preferred to be. Finding caregivers for Keagan (who requires full time care) proved impossible at the time. Determined to create a better life, Sally left her corporate job and launched the “Project Home Life Car Wash” in their front yard. The donation-based car wash was an idea that allowed Sally and Keagan to connect with others, remain physically active, provide a service to their community, create a livelihood, and, most importantly it created an environment where Keagan felt at ease. It was through the Project Home Life Car Wash that Sally recognized the power and beauty of co-creating life with Keagan and shifted from being his “sole support” to being his “soul support”. Little did she know, Project Home Life was the seed to greater potentials and possibilities.
In 2022, Sally and Keagan moved from Indianapolis to Lake Santee to create new dreams. Six months after their move Sally discovered the marina space (a mile from their home) for rent and immediately saw the potential. Sally signed the initial lease for the space and began to create a vision. In 2023 Project Home Life became an official 501(c)(3) organization.
The following year Sally was contacted by the Lake Santee office about a woman who dropped off her business card and wanted to know more about what she was doing. That woman turned to be Kristen Evans, fellow Lake Santee resident, whose daughter had recently been diagnosed with autism. Just two days later Sally and Kristen began meeting regularly to support one another and to develop plans to bring a unique space to the Lake Santee community—one that promotes health and well-being and recognizes the unique challenges some families and individuals navigate. In early 2024, Project Home Life officially updated its mission and rebranded as Lakeview Wellness, Inc to better serve the community.
Sally is also “GiGi” to three beautiful grandchildren and mom to her favorite daughter, Jordan Marie.
