Your Family

Board Members

Michelle, Founder & President

After teaching for 7 years, including starting a school in rural Costa Rica, Michelle became an attorney and mediator for the last 18 years for tribal and state government positions, and worked as a federal D.C. intern.  A strong advocate for the homeless, runaway teenagers, her passion for social work and accessible education for all stems from her background that she was one, herself, as well for two years - and went on to receive her G.E.D. and then 3.9 college degrees. She credits community outreach activists and scholarships for her achievements. She has started five other companies, including a school in rural Costa Rica, a tutoring company in Missouri, and the non-profit, United Sovereign Nations, prior to her life’s blessing called Mending Souls. Her maternal grandmother encouraged her to learn the sewing arts, but it was her supportive classmates who made items for those less fortunate in Michelle’s legal profession, that inspired Mending Souls. She praises Professors Rose Skelly & Donna Baker, for their endless patience teaching her the joy of sewing, serging and bring smiles with embroidery. She hopes this non-profit job training Academy & Charity Factory will catch on in every community, world-wide, with sewing machines in every long-term care facility and upcycling of materials in all donation collection sites. In her free time, Michelle’s a proud mother to her animal rescues and enjoys marrying couples as their Officiant, or being a Mediator to settle issues peacefully out of court!