After Surviving 9 Foster Homes, and a False Arrest, I Found Family in My HS Basketball Coach: South Carolina Native Daniel Harris

Daniel Harris has been serving as a mentor at Son of a Saint, a non-profit organization in the New Orleans area that provide mentorship to fatherless teenage boys.

August 5, 2026

This article was last updated by Alisha Shrestha on August 5, 2026

Daniel Harris, a former high school basketball player, has been gaining attention after his story of living in foster homes and finding family in his high school coach went viral.

Through a now-viral by Joe Becignuel, a golf referee, Daniel Harris shared his struggles, from growing up in foster homes and facing arrest to dealing with problematic parents, before finding family with his basketball coach.

He also paid respect and tribute to his high school basketball coach, Winston Williams, whom he considers his father and his Guardian Ad Litem, Catherine Rhea.

Daniel revealed that he grew up in the foster care system in South Carolina, after his father, who was an alcoholic and drug addict, was killed and his mother, also an addict, was put behind bars for credit card fraud when he was in 4th grade.

He further added that his late father would get drunk and abuse his mother. Daniel Harris had a mightily struggling past; he was placed in around nine foster homes and two group homes around the South Carolina state from ages 12-19 years.

He also got arrested for things he didn’t do after graduating high school and was eventually forced to sign out of a foster home.

However, Daniel Harris’s life took a positive turn when he moved in with his Guardian Ad Litem, Catherine Rhea, after signing out of foster care, whom he regards as the most important person in his life.

Similarly, his high school basketball coach, Winston Williams, and his family made Daniel a part of their family and guided him in his journey on and off the field.

Daniel Harris never misses a chance to appreciate his foster father, Winston Williams, and Guardian Ad Litem, Catherine Rhea, and often expresses his love and respect for them on social media.

From foster care alum to being a renowned foster care advocate, Daniel Harris often credits his high school basketball coach and foster father, Winston Williams, for being his constant supporter.

In Honor of His Foster Parents, Daniel Harris Co-Founded Winston Rhea Scholars for Foster Children

established The Wiston Rhea Scholars, a non-profit organization to honor Winston Williams and Catherine Rhea and the impact they had on him.

Winston Rhea Scholars, founded by Daniel in July 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana, provides current and former foster youth with the tools to transition from foster care into adulthood by offering educational opportunities, community support, independent living skills, and mentorship.

In addition to running Winston Rhea Scholars, Daniel Harris has also served as chapter success manager of The National Society of Leadership and Success since 2026.

Prior to this, Daniel served as the coordinator for student engagement and assistant director of student life at Loyola University New Orleans for over three years.

He began his career as a case manager at the South Carolina Department of Social Services in Summerville, SC, in 2013 and served in his position for almost three years before joining Tulane University in 2016.

Daniel served as the resident director of Tulane University in New Orleans from 2016 to 2017 and also worked as an assistant director of residence life at Campus Living Villages from 2017 to 2019.

In Case You Didn’t Know

• Daniel Harris is married to Katie Steinhardt and is a proud father of a son named Emmett.
• He earned his Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication from Lander University in 2013 and his Master of Education in higher education administration from Columbia College (SC) in 2015.

• Check other Articles on

Suruchi is a business management student with a strong passion for writing, particularly when it comes to sports. She loves creating articles and blogs that explore various aspects of the sports world. With a curious mind and a love for both academics and creativity, she constantly seeks to expand her knowledge and share her insights through her writing.

Related articles

February 4, 2026

February 4, 2026

January 26, 2026

January 19, 2026

Comments

LEAVE A REPLY

Comment: Please enter your comment! Name:* Please enter your name here Email:* You have entered an incorrect email address! Please enter your email address here

Δ

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam.

Share article

- May 15, 2026 Jerry Lee Singleton, a 1974 graduate of DeKalb High School, where he was a standout athlete, has passed away at 70. Singleton was born on...

- May 15, 2026 Residents living along Blackwell Road in Huthwaite are calling for urgent action after a group of children was repeatedly caught kicking front doors and...

- May 14, 2026 Howard Paul Sr., a graduate of Black River High School, tragically passed away. Paul was born on September 15, 1951, to his father, Arthur, and...

- May 14, 2026 A disturbing act of violence at Steven's Park in Allentown has left residents shaken and demanding answers after a witness took to social media...

- May 13, 2026 Residents of Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, are raising serious concerns after a series of violent incidents involving a group of young boys who have been targeting...