LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18)– Being a young, single mother can often be a lonely, challenging, and daunting job, but a Lexington program is designed to combat those feelings of isolation.
“It makes me feel like I have a family and less alone sometimes,” said Natisha Rivera.
Rivera is 19-years-old. She joined the program, Step By Step, about a year ago and says she has found a world of support and empowerment.
“I never really felt that before, so that’s what keeps me going, and it’s just my family, everyone is my sister,” she said.
Rivera is one of 186 mothers currently involved in Step By Step. The mothers range in ages from 14-24 and many are students or employed. Every one of them is a success to Step By Step Executive Director Tanya Torp.
They meet each week and provide year-round support, making sure they go to therapy and are taught life skills and how to set goals.
“We are there to support them along the way and there is no other organization doing what we do,” said Torp.
The moms also work hard throughout the year to ear Christmas gifts for their kids. Through an incentive program, they earn points to spend at their Christmas Store at Immanuel Baptist Church.
The holistic program not only makes a difference in the lives of young mothers but in the future of Lexington.
“We come in and just love them exactly where they’re at with no judgment, with no expectation, except that they’re going to participate fully in this program and we watch them shine,” said Torp.
Step By Step is accepting donations for their Christmas store, they just ask you spend no more than $25 on one single item and refrain from donating toys that look like weapons.
You can learn more about Step By Step here.
