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Sis. Michelle was born in Dubuque, IA.  She started attending church in 1979. 

Sis. Michelle went to college at Illinois Central College, Peoria, IL (studied horticulture); Loras College, Dubuque, IA (studied business/physical education); Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, IA (EMT coursework); Hawkeye Community College, Waterloo, IA (AAS degrees in commercial photography and commercial art); University Dubuque, Dubuque, IA (BA in English, concentration in Environmental Science); University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences (master’s level coursework in health care administration with long-term care emphasis). Michelle graduated the Master Gardner course. And she is a certified Alcohol Chemical Treatment series instructor.

Sis. Michelle has been involved in real estate, several business ventures, and ministry for more than 20 years. She serves as the Executive Director/Owner of Fresh Start Housing, LLC, a housing corporation that provides permanent supportive housing to low- to medium-income women of Manasseh House (established in 2005) and Salvia House (to be built in 2009) Apartments; Executive Director of Operation Empower, a non-profit that provides supportive services to Fresh Start Housing, LLC; and owner of Appolonia’s (restaurant). She is an author and life student of the Bible. She teaches Bible studies to anyone who will listen. God has blessed Sis. Michelle with favor from state and local governmental officials to help make her projects succeed.

Sis. Michelle saw an opportunity to help women in the community who needed someone to help them rebuild their lives, and she pursued it!

Sis. Michelle has a vision of helping women and children by providing them with housing, employment, and education opportunities.

Sis. Michelle has never been an observer of life; she’s always been an active participant. If she sees a need for something, she doesn’t wait for someone to present it to her; she creates the opportunity and has the resources and energy to make things happen! She is a creative problem solver and is passionate about helping people be what God intended for them to be.