Meet Cheri

Behind Nova’Lee’s Way is a story built from resilience, faith, loss, healing, and purpose.

Dr. Cheri Houston founded Nova’Lee’s Way from a deeply personal place. Raised by her grandmother until the age of 13, Cheri experienced firsthand the power of unconditional love, faith, guidance, and strong values. After losing her grandmother, life changed drastically. As a teenager, she faced many hardships without the support, direction, and opportunities every child deserves. She understands what it feels like to struggle silently, feel unseen, and grow up too fast.

But even through life’s darkest moments, purpose was still being formed.

Nova’Lee’s Way was birthed during one of the most difficult seasons of Cheri’s life — a time when she was battling COVID and felt hopeless, emotionally exhausted, and close to losing her life. In the middle of that pain, her granddaughter, Nova’Lee Houston, became the light that restored her hope.

Nova’Lee is the heart and soul of the organization and the inspiration behind its name.

The name itself carries deep meaning:
“Nova” represents new beginnings, while “Lee” comes from Cheri’s grandmother’s name — the woman who raised her and shaped the foundation of who she is today. Together, the name symbolizes healing, legacy, love, and renewed purpose.

Cheri often describes Nova’Lee as her angel in human form — the child who unknowingly gave her the strength to keep going. Knowing Nova’Lee would always “have her way” with her heart, Nova’Lee’s Way was born.

Today, the organization exists to give children facing foster care, grief, loss, hardship, or instability something many never receive: hope, guidance, love, opportunity, and a sense of belonging.

Through mentorship, youth empowerment, life-skills development, community outreach, and meaningful experiences, Dr. Houston is committed to creating safe spaces where children feel seen, valued, supported, and reminded that their story does not end with their circumstances.

In addition to leading Nova’Lee’s Way, Cheri is also an accomplished author of six books, using her voice and personal experiences to inspire healing, resilience, faith, growth, and self-worth in others. Her writing reflects the same heart behind her nonprofit — turning pain into purpose and reminding people they can rise above their circumstances.

With a Doctorate in Healthcare Administration and a heart rooted in service, Cheri leads with compassion, authenticity, and purpose — building a legacy designed to pour back into the very children she understands most.

Because at Nova’Lee’s Way, every child deserves a new beginning.