A woman who was supported by her community when she got pregnant at age 14 has launched her own organization to pay the kindness forward.
Tyra Moore, from Detroit, , fell pregnant as a teen, but did not tell her mother until she was 36 weeks along.
She ended up giving birth just a few days later and, due to such short notice, the family had no time to prepare for the baby’s arrival.
But, on returning home from the hospital, she was overwhelmed to see that the community had banded together to buy her all the necessary supplies she needed for welcoming the newborn.
Her neighbors, friends and family had rallied around her to donate cribs, baby books, formula, pacifiers and bottles that lasted her for nearly two years.
‘They really came together and made a village for my child, and that helped a lot. I was like, “one day, when I can, I want
Despite receiving no pre-natal care, Tyra gave birth to a healthy baby girl.
Tyra decided to name her daughter Samari, who is now nearly 16, and credits her for ‘saving her life’ and pushing her towards striving for more out of life.
Having persevered through the struggles of being a young mother, she wanted to pass along the knowledge she had gained along the way to others.
The entrepreneur says that the girls who have been visiting her are happy to open up about their struggles as mothers, knowing that it is a ‘no judgement zone’
Tyra set up nonprofit A Girl Like Me to provide mentoring and free baby supplies to young mothers from the age of 11 to 25
Tyra also encourages attendees to set themselves goals, as well as coaching them on issues such as financial literacy, CPR (pictured), nutrition and personal hygiene
In 2020, Tyra set up nonprofit to provide mentoring and free baby supplies to young mothers aged 11 to 25, particularly for those who are at risk or from low-income backgrounds.
‘It just came to me because I wanted to help girls like me and prevent girls from being like me. And I wanted to do more,’ Tyra told the publication.
It started off as an ‘exceedingly small, grassroots effort, with funding primarily from donations, selling T-shirts, and personal investments,’ according to its website.
But it has since grown into a hub for young women, “http://childtalk.ru many of whom do not have any support in the community.
The Detroit Department of Health previously reported that each year there are about 1,600 Detroit girls aged between 15 and 19 who become pregnant – and Tyra continues to strive to help as many as she can.
Having persevered through the struggles of being a young mother, she wanted to pass along the knowledge she had gained along the way to others
Tyra remains devoted to her work at the organization with hopes of expansion in the near future
The entrepreneur says that the girls who do visit her are happy to open up about their struggles as young mothers knowing that it is a ‘no judgement zone,’ and that Tyra has been through a similar experience.
She said she was ‘not scared to admit’ the struggles she had faced and was candid about her own story, which included homelessness, bad breakups, toxic friendships and awkward situations with family members.
Tyra, who earned her diploma at an online high school, also encourages attendees to set themselves goals, as well as coaching them on issues such as financial literacy, CPR, nutrition and personal hygiene.
‘It’s everything I didn’t learn as a teen,’ she said.
‘We teach and learn with each other.’
Tyra, who is the only employee of the A Girl Like Me, does not take a salary, but was continuing to go from strength to strength.
The community-minded businesswoman is now married, and has since had two more children.
She is currently finishing college for an associate’s degree to become a surgical technician, but remains devoted to her work at the organization with hopes of expansion in the near future.