CINCINNATI — Being a teen mother can come with many challenges like trying to juggle school while raising a baby. Thanks to one Ohio nonprofit organization, mothers are getting the guidance and skills they need to succeed.

Every evening, Alexis Cook, 32, prepares a bottle for her daughter Shanyia. It’s a routine that she looks forward to. Nothing in this world brings her more joy than her daughter.

“I previously lost a child in my last pregnancy to SIDS and I’ve prayed for this baby so she’s everything to me,” said Cook.

Reading time is just one of many bonding moments for them. She can appreciate it now, but when she was younger, things were a lot different. She was once a teen mother who struggled with her mental health and couldn’t be there for her other kids like she wanted. 

“I was one of those people who was in real denial about medication, but I know medication helps level me out,” she said. 

It wasn’t until she met Helping Young Mothers Mentors founder Venita Dell that her life began to change. The nonprofit organization provides young mothers with life coaching services to help them become more self-sufficient.

“The purpose of our program is to be there for the individual, being one on one, being a life coach to them, hearing their thought process out to help them think along the way to be better,” said Dell. 

Since connecting with Dell 13 years ago, Cook says her mental health has improved tremendously. And she’s grateful for the attention, love and support she has received.

“All it takes sometimes is a listening ear and just to have that support from someone and she was like my shoulder when I needed her,” she said. 

In an effort to pay it forward, Cook started her own group to help support young mothers. Diapers are just some of the items she provides to those in need. 

“I was just very inspired by the support that HYMM has poured into my life, so I just want to give back and help other young moms,” she said. 

For more information about Helping Young Mothers Mentors, click here.