Following Her Role Models by Helping Those in Need: Michelle Harris

Posted March 12, 2025

As children, many people want to grow up as a princess, astronaut, police officer, or even a chef, but for Michelle Harris, Director of Family Supportive Services, she aspired to be someone who helps those in need.

As a young woman, Michelle spent a lot of her time babysitting kids from her mother's connections.

“My mother was a nurse at Lakewood Hospital, and she got me a lot of babysitting jobs, so I babysat a lot as a teenager.” Michelle said.

When she turned 18, she started working in residential treatment and then got involved in the foster care field.

“I worked in foster care for probably about 25 years, mostly at a nonprofit on the East side [of Cleveland]” Michelle said.

Michelle found out that there was an opening within the wraparound program at Catholic Charities and she decided to apply for the job.

After her predecessor, Klavin Boyd retired, she was then promoted to her current position as director.

“It’s kind of full circle to where I started in foster care,” Michelle said, “Now I’m going to [also] be overseeing the Good Shepherd Family Center,”

Working in foster care can take a toll on someone, but Michelle has had a few women who inspired her to continue the work she does.

“There were some foster parents early in my career who really inspired me. They were strong women who I really looked up to and were very good role models for me.” Michelle said.

Along with these women, she also mentioned how important her grandmother was to her.

“My strongest role model, which was my maternal grandmother, who I am very much alike,” Michelle said.

During Women’s History Month, Michelle thinks about the strength women have and how far they have come.

“I feel that women are very strong,” Michelle said, “The fact that they can raise children, take care of a home, work full time, and do all the things they do..."

For the younger generation of women, Michelle wants to remind them to follow their passion and work in a field that they truly enjoy.

“It’s going to make life and work much more interesting and enjoyable every day,” Michelle said.