Mrs. Mamie E Harris’ life experience as a pastor’s wife for 28 years has geared her towards working with the under served population. On June 11, 2005, she graduated from the African American HIV University in Los Angeles, CA, receiving certification in the area of HIV.
Mamie learned about pathogenesis, epidemiology, and pharmakinetics. Her fellow church members didn’t embrace her bold move, questioning how she could balance the Bible’s teachings with public health strategies, which include promoting the use of condoms and talking openly about sex and sexuality. However, she has taken her education back to her church and community and started a drug and alcohol recovery program. Mamie visits substance-abuse centers and homeless shelters, taking her faith-based approach to anyone who will listen, providing HIV testing and referring clients to other AIDS organizations as well as the Cincinnati Health Department. Mrs. Mamie E. Harris served as an elder at Heirs Covenant Church of Cincinnati, OH.

Experience and Education:

Certified with the OCDP Board as a Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant (CDCA), Ohio (2007) 

Certified in the area of HIV: Black Aids Institute, Los Angeles, CA (2005)

Certified Abstinence Educator: Abstinence Educators Network, Cincinnati, OH (2002)

Educator for Youth at Court Adjudicated Facilities in the areas of Self-Control, Self discipline and delayed Gratification: Cincinnati, Ohio (2001 – Present)

Founder, Pastor Michael Harris, Sr., began SARA-IRP in 1987 as a Biblically based substance abuse support group. At the time, participants were members of Pastor Harris' congregation. However, soon the groups began to include those from other churches, NA, AA and walk-ins. As the ministry grew, in 1996, SARA-IRP acquired a building at 821 Bank Street. IV-CHARIS was orginally established by God through Pastor Harris' wife, Mamie E. Harris, as an entity of SARA-IRP. IV-CHARIS has grown into a separate program, certified by the Ohio Department of Health and highly regarded on a local, state and national level for its dispensation of quality, state-of-the-art HIV/AIDS/STD and abstinence services.

In April 2004, the visionary and Executive Director of SARA-IRP, Pastor Michael Harris, Sr., was called home to be with the Lord. However, the vision, goals and purpose of the ministry continues through the efforts of his compassionate and highly regarded widow, Mrs. Mamie E. Harris, current Executive Director of the agency, its staff members and countless volunteers.