Michelle “Mika” Watson Cheesman is a dedicated social services professional with over five years of experience in advocacy, case management, and peer support. She has served in roles such as Labor Trafficking Advocate with Innovations Human Trafficking Collaborative, PATH Service Coordinator at Capital Recovery Center, and Volunteer Coordinator & Resource Navigator with a focus on housing and community support programs.
Mika is a Certified Peer Counselor (since 2019), Recovery Coach (trained in 2019, revised 2025), and Mental Health First Aid certified. She has extensive experience coordinating housing, legal, and medical referrals, supporting vulnerable populations in accessing critical resources, and ensuring compliance with program policies and confidentiality standards.
With a background in outreach, harm reduction, and trauma-informed advocacy, Mika is skilled at building trust with diverse communities and guiding individuals through complex systems, including housing, public benefits, and healthcare. She is detail-oriented, process-driven, and experienced with case management software, including HMIS, Tenmast, Yardi, Salesforce, Apricot, and NoteHouse.
Currently, Mika is pursuing further education at The Evergreen State College to expand her knowledge and refine her ability to serve communities through advocacy, policy, and direct support. She brings a compassionate, steady presence and a strong commitment to helping others overcome barriers and achieve stability.More...