Dr. Dean Blevins interviews Kelly Lee, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Camp Encourage, and Kris Mitchell, LMFT, with the Joshua Center for Neurological on Barriers to Care.

Kelly Lee co-founded Camp Encourage in 2007 due to the community expressing a dire need for a quality overnight camp opportunity for autistic children and due to their leadership in a similar camp in the Kansas City area.

Kelly received an undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia in Special Education (K through 12) and a master’s degree in Special Education with an emphasis in autism from the University of Kansas. Past experiences include teaching, serving as an Autism Education Consultant, designing and facilitating social development groups, and serving as a summer camp counselor and director. After being in the nonprofit world since founding Camp Encourage in 2007, she has gained knowledge and experiences to strongly lead our organization with heart and expertise.

Kris Mitchell is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and has worked with children since 1992 in various capacities in both church and clinical settings. He has overseen programming and events that provided children the care and support that enabled parents to help their children grow and flourish. He understands and cares for children, making it easy for kids to relate to him.

Kris desires to work with both parents and kids so the whole family can grow together towards healthier ways of relating. Because his goal is to help children find success in all areas of life, including at school, he frequently meets with teachers and principals to advocate on behalf of his clients.