A woman in cream-colored clothing standing near a waterfront railing, smiling, with palm trees, benches, and a clear sky in the background.
Smiling woman with long dark hair leaning against a white brick wall, holding a white mug with the word 'Scars' and a heart drawing, wearing a beige outfit and jewelry.

Dear Trauma Survivor,

As a trauma survivor myself, I understand that healing is a journey. Finding the right support makes all of the difference. For many years, I did not have that kind of support, not even in the church. In fact, I was told in so many words to ‘"hush". We don’t talk about our past. I felt alone. I felt like I had to pretend that everything was alright but inside, I carried what I call, a cry. I couldn’t identify it at first, but I realized the cry I carried was pain related to unhealed trauma. It would be three years before anyone addressed the trauma in my life. Then, and only then was I able to put a voice to my pain, tell my story, and begin to heal.

If you are caring a cry, you are not alone. We are here to support you through your healing journey.

Your voice, your story, it matters, you matter.

A handwritten-style text graphic with the word "Kryster" on a white background.

WE BELIEVE IN…

Hope

Restoration

Healing

Grace

A smiling older man and woman sitting outdoors with palm trees and a water body in the background.
A white ceramic mug with the word "Stars" written in pink and a black outline drawing of a star on it, placed on a surface with a blurred open book in the background.

Our Story…

After working with women for ten years, Kristen Kellett, the founder of A Door of Hope International, saw the need to have a safe place for women to recover from trauma. She felt that, without a safe place to go, these women were at risk of going back into addiction, domestic violence, human trafficking, the streets, incarceration, or, worse, ending up dead.

In 2012, Kristen opened A Door of Hope Ministries, a faith-based non-profit organization that served women in the community by providing free services such as counseling, support groups, food, clothing, and baby items.

After operating that organization for nearly a decade, it became apparent that Kristen needed to reach beyond the local area, as there were simply too many survivors waiting—longing—to be healed all over the world.

In 2023, Kristen and her husband, Jimmy Kellett, launched SCARS, Survivors Carry A Real Story, a dynamic training developed to train individuals, churches, businesses, and communities on how to provide trauma-informed care and support to survivors.

With this training, along with coaching, speaking, and her book The Cry, Kristen has extended her reach, bringing trauma awareness to those with a heart for working with trauma survivors in the US and worldwide, and evolving into what is now known as A Door of Hope International.

Board of Directors

  • Woman smiling, holding a white mug with the word 'cars' written on it.

    Kristen Kellett

    President

  • A smiling woman with short white hair, wearing a light green blouse and white blazer.

    Pastor Louise Cook

    Vice President

  • Smiling woman with long brown hair and earrings, wearing a white top and a cross necklace, outdoors with green foliage in the background.

    Lydia Lovett RN, BSN

    Secretary Treasure

  • A smiling older man with gray hair wearing a checked shirt and a dark blazer, posing against a neutral background.

    Jimmy Kellett

  • A middle-aged man with glasses, gray hair, and a beard looking serious indoors.

    Drew Hood

  • A woman with curly red hair wearing glasses and a black top, smiling in an indoor setting.

    Dr. Kimberly Hood

  • A smiling older man with white hair and a mustache, wearing a striped shirt, standing in front of a decorated wall with colorful, textured art pieces and gold speckles.

    Tom Sullivan

  • Close-up of a smiling woman with shoulder-length gray hair, wearing a burgundy top and a necklace, with a decorative black and gold background.

    Kathy Sullivan

  • A woman with glasses and earrings, wearing a red and white striped top, taking a selfie in an indoor setting with shelves and decorations in the background.

    Kathryn Hoyt