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Tyra Moore founded A Girl Like Me Inc. as a non-profit organization to help those in similar situations to her own. The Detroit, Michigan-based organization began as a small grassroots movement supported mostly by donations, t-shirt sales, and individual investments.
Moore fell pregnant when she was fourteen, according to Today.com. She didn’t inform her mother until she was 36 weeks pregnant because she was too scared. She gave birth to her daughter a few days later, after she confessed to her mother.
Moore returned from the hospital to find presents stacked at her front door, despite the fact that her family had been unprepared. Neighbors, friends, and family members donated baby clothes, a crib, baby books, formula, pacifiers, and bottles—everything a new mother could need.
Moore is now eager to provide low-income, at-risk adolescent girls between the ages of 11 and 17, as well as young parents up to the age of 25, with the information, materials, and mentoring they need to make decisions about their future and reproductive health.
“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,” she disclosed.
According to statistics, one out of every three girls in the United States becomes pregnant before the age of 20. Teen moms who attend Moore’s parenting classes can discuss the challenges they face. Moore believes that because she is so open about her experiences as a teen mom, the young ladies trust her totally.
“I enjoy showing the young moms I’ve been in their shoes before, showing them I’m not here to judge, I’m here to help in any way I can,” she shared. “Being able to listen to them because they don’t have anyone that understands them or being able to provide items to help them when they don’t have anyone else to turn to just brings joy to my spirit,” she added.
Moore teamed with The International Girls Academy to publish the book Daughters of the Community in 2022 in order to reach even more young people, according to Black News. The book profiles eight girls, ages 11 to 17, who are members of the two organizations.
She manages the company on her own and works as its lone employee without being paid. Moore graduated from high school, went to college, and will shortly start working as a surgical tech. She wants to expand her business and provide more programs and aid to Detroit.
