Meet our founders
We built this because no one built it for us.
Our Lessons Learned was started by two mothers who each got the call no parent is ready for. When our own sons were arrested, there was nothing to guide us, so we built what we needed.
Co-Founder
Lynne Kelly
My youngest of three boys was away at college, chasing his dream to play football and earn his degree. Then came the call no parent is ready for — late on a Friday evening, from the South Carolina Department of Corrections. My son was on the other end: "Momma, please come and get me — I've been arrested."
My world came crashing down. My phone rang non-stop, and all I knew was that I had to help my son — I just didn't have a clue what to do next.
Co-Founder
Lee Booker
While I was out shopping, a neighbor called. "Don't come home," the voice shouted. "The building's been shut down — no one can enter or leave." Two phone calls later, I learned the police were looking for my son.
For the first time in my life, I felt utterly helpless. I kept thinking, this has to be a mistake — calm down, you know him better than anyone. None of it was making sense.
Our story, in our own words
No scripts and no actors — just the people behind Our Lessons Learned, sharing why this work matters. Tap to play.