Community Highlights: Meet Tyra Moore of A Girl Like Me

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tyra Moore. 

Hi Tyra, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
I started A Girl Like Me Inc because at 14 years old, I became a Teen Mom. No one knew I was pregnant, my mom found out on a Tuesday, and I gave birth in the same week on Friday morning. I was too scared to tell anyone about what was going on with me. But the day I gave birth is the day we found out my baby was a girl, and remember my mom crying while talking to family, friends, and members of our community. The day we got released, we couldn’t even get in the house because it was baby items up the stairs and inside the house from everyone; everything lasted for about 2 years for my child. Because of the outpour from everyone, I promised myself that one day I would pay it forward. Fast forward to 2019- now I provide Teen and Young Mom’s up to 25 with free Diapers, wipes, baby food, clothing, resources, and more. I also provide feminine products to the mom’s, girls, and teens. I also provide a Mentoring program for Girls, Teens, and Teen Mom’s every Saturday. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It has been a good and rocky road for A Girl Like Me Inc; from the bad side, being a newer organization, funding has been a challenge; having enough diapers and wipes for families and finding great help to build a team has been the struggles. From the good side, having good volunteers, receiving a few grants, donations from the community, winning Awards and most of all, seeing the smiles and happiness on families faces that we have helped with needed items, resources, and just someone to talk to. 

We’ve been impressed with A Girl Like Me Inc, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
A Girl Like Me Inc is a (501(c)3) located in Southfield, MI A Girl Like Me Inc started as an exceedingly small, grassroots effort, with funding primarily from donations, selling t-shirts, and personal investments. A Girl Like Me Inc. organization looks forward to providing at-risk, low-income teenage girls, ages 11-17, and also young moms up to 25 who may not have any family or friend support in the community with the education, resources, support, mentoring, and basic needs necessary to help them make educated decisions about their reproductive health and their future. 

I have been thankful and grateful to get my story out about becoming a Teen Mom at 14 years old; my story has helped more Girls and Teens come forward about experiencing the same thing and finally getting the help they need. Being A Teen Mom is never the goal, but I am here to help girls and teens alongside to get them all the tools, knowledge, and needed items they will need to provide for themselves and their babies. 

What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was a chubby little troublemaker; I was always getting in trouble, my name stayed called lol. Also, I was in a dark place a lot because I got bullied a lot from girls in my neighborhood and school. I always just wanted to fit in and feel like people liked me. As a teen, it was the same way, so the first boy that actually showed me the attention I wanted end of getting me pregnant with my daughter at 14. Event through the pregnancy and after, I was still feeling low, thought about suicide, and just thought my life was over because I heard it by the closest people to me. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://agirllikemeinc.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agirllikemeinc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AGirlLikeMeInc?_rdc=1&_rdr