Posted March 19, 2025
Khaalise Makupson, Assistant Director of the Fatima Family Center (Fatima), was raised by her great-grandmother in the Glenville area.
Unlike most children Khaalise grew up in a more protected environment and was only able to go to a few places.
"I was able to go in the backyard, and I was able to go in the front yard. I was able to go across the street to play with the kids, and that was it." Khaalise said.
Growing up sheltered and attending Catholic school, Khaalise didn't experience the neighborhood like her friends who went to public schools did but always had her great-grandmother to look up to and count on.
"She [her great-grandmother] didn’t have to take me in. She was like 70 years old," Khaalise said, "and I wasn't the only one she took in."
Besides herself, Khaalise's great-grandmother also had other children from her family that she adopted and cared for out of her heart's kindness.
"She didn't ask for anything in return... she just took care of [us] out of the kindness of her heart." Khaalise said.
Raising children comes with great responsibility, and it involves teaching them morals and life lessons that they will carry with them for their entire lives.
According to Khaalise, her great-grandmother taught her two things about life: It isn't about how much money you have; it's about how you support your community, and it's not about what kind of car you drive or where your life is, it's about how you live.
She now passes down the lessons taught to her to her children.
"Those kinds of things that were instilled in me that I've instilled in my children," Khaalise said.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, many people faced challenges and stressors, and Khaalise, who worked in the Catholic Charities Human Resources department, decided to make a change in her career.
"I did take on another position in HR where I was more hands-on, but out of the personal touch of it," Khaalise said, "I was more so doing the data in the payroll system or the HR system."
When LaJean Ray, Director of Fatima, contacted HR about posting the Assistant Director position on the website, Khaalise started thinking about applying.
"So, I did [apply] knowing that the work she [LaJean] does is completely different from what my background is in, but I knew I had transferable skills; I had the experience of working in a nonprofit..." Khaalise said.
After the application process, Khaalise was interviewed and later offered the job.
"...I was like, 'Okay, God, I'm stepping out on faith. You got me. I'm trusting you all the way.'" Khaalise said.
Like Khaalise, women have come a long way to achieve what they have today, but more must be done.
"We've come a long, long way. However, we still have a very long, long way to go," Khaalise said.
It's important to remember that women need to work together to accomplish more.
"We need to first look at each other not as competitors but embrace each other's uniqueness," Khaalise said.
Not only should women learn to embrace each other's differences, but they should also listen to others and their experiences.
"Take what you can from what they have to say," Khaalise said, "You can make your own projectory and pathway into life, and you just never let anybody tell you no."
Part of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland
