Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Kowall.
Hi Kelly, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Didn’t know if you wanted this in a first-person or 3rd person story style. You can change it to first person if you want. See my answer below:
As a parent of a child serving in the military, you live every day with a quiet, unspoken fear. You understand the risks that come with their service—the danger, the distance, the uncertainty—but nothing truly prepares you for that knock on the door. It’s a sound that shatters life as you know it, a moment that changes everything in an instant. The mind can accept the possibility of loss, but the heart never can. When Kelly Kowall received that knock, she faced the unbearable reality every military parent dreads: her son, serving his country with pride and courage, was gone.
But Kelly refused to let that loss destroy her. Instead, she turned her grief into purpose. Through her pain, she found the strength to honor her son’s life by helping others heal from their own invisible wounds. She created a place for veterans and families to come together—a sanctuary of hope, healing, and renewal. Her mission became clear: to help those who are serving and have served to keep us safe, secure, and free find their way back to peace, to rediscover joy, and to bounce back from tragedy and trauma. Law Enforcement and Firefighters are also in the nonprofit’s mission too since they sacrifice to keep us safe on our home front.
Kelly transformed her heartbreak into a legacy of resilience, proving that even the deepest pain can give rise to something profoundly good.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Building the nonprofit has never been an easy road. From the very beginning, there were challenges—financial hurdles, emotional setbacks, and countless obstacles that tested every ounce of strength and determination. Yet, through it all, the mission has remained clear: to create a place of healing, hope, and purpose for those who have served. Every step forward has been driven by love, by the memory of those lost, and by the unwavering belief that something beautiful can rise from pain.
The past few years have brought storms both literal and figurative. Hurricanes caused devastating damage, wiping out months of progress and forcing the team to rebuild again and again. But just as the people the nonprofit serves are taught to persevere, so too has the organization refused to give up. Each setback has only strengthened its resolve. No matter how fierce the storm or how steep the climb, the commitment to healing and resilience remains unshaken—because giving up simply isn’t an option.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about My Warrior’s Place, Inc.?
My Warrior’s Place is a sanctuary of healing and hope located in Ruskin, Florida—a place born from love, loss, and a deep desire to serve those who have sacrificed so much. My Warrior’s Place provides a peaceful and supportive environment for veterans, military service members, first responders, Gold Star families, and Blue Star families. It’s a refuge where heroes and their loved ones can find comfort, rebuild their strength, and rediscover purpose after facing unimaginable loss or trauma.
Surrounded by nature and tranquility, My Warrior’s Place offers a space to reflect, connect, and begin the journey toward emotional and spiritual restoration.
The programs offered at My Warrior’s Place are designed to help individuals heal in mind, body, and spirit. Through retreats, peer-support groups, and resiliency workshops, participants gain tools to overcome grief, manage stress, and rebuild hope. The organization also provides specialized programs such as “Project Corregidor- Forever A Warrior,” which focuses on helping those struggling with post-traumatic stress, and assists veterans and first responders in finding balance and stability in civilian life. Additionally, outdoor activities like kayaking, boating, and community gatherings foster connection, camaraderie, and joy. Every program at
My Warrior’s Place reflects one unshakable truth: healing is possible—and no warrior or survivor ever has to face their battle alone.
The newest program is My Service Dogs Place that was born from a painful discovery Kelly Kowall made while supporting a veteran who needed an operation and also receiving a call from a local VA on behalf of another Veteran in 2019. What she uncovered was that when a service member or first responder needs urgent or extended medical care and has no family or friend available to watch their service dog, that dog too often ends up at a county shelter. Because of shelter time limits and rehoming policies, those dogs risk being adopted out or euthanized — and the person who relies on them can lose not only a companion but a critical lifeline. My Service Dogs Place exists to stop that injustice.
This program provides short-term, reliable care so service dogs can stay safe while their handlers receive the medical attention they need. That care includes secure boarding, basic veterinary oversight, transport to and from treatment centers when needed, by a volunteer network that loves dogs. By keeping dogs connected to their owners and ensuring they’re returned promptly and intact, the program protects both animal and, preserves the service dog’s owner independence, and gives them the peace of mind to focus on recovery without the fear of losing what matters most.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Getting connected within your local community is one of the most powerful steps you can take for both personal growth and professional success. Building relationships with people in your area opens doors to new opportunities, ideas, and resources that you might not find otherwise. Whether it’s through volunteering, attending community events, joining local business groups, or supporting neighborhood initiatives, every connection strengthens your network and your sense of belonging. And always ask for testimonials from those you help to build your credibility.
Networking at the local level also allows you to build trust and credibility in a more authentic way. People do business with—and support—those they know, like, and respect. By becoming involved and showing genuine interest in your community, you not only expand your circle but also create meaningful partnerships that can lead to collaborations, mentorship, and long-term support. Simply put, getting connected locally isn’t just good networking—it’s investing in the shared strength and success of your community.
Pricing:
- Donations are always greatly appreciated. My Warrior’s Place couldn’t prove the program’s and support we do without financial donations.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mywarriorsplace.org
- Facebook: Facebook/Mywarriorsplace
Image Credits
Kelly Kowall
