Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabrielle Sides.
Hi Gabrielle, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I started The Pathway To Motherhood due to the fact that I once was also a teen mom in high school.
I am currently a mother of two teenage children. I’ve experienced the emotional trauma teen mothers go through to survive, and the psychological disarray they experience when they give birth to young ones without financial growth or stability.
I was told by several others that I wouldn’t graduate high school and also was looked down upon because I became a mother at a young age. After going into a depression stage following the loss of my children’s father in 2016, I had moments where I wished I had someone to talk to about things that were bothering me.
I decided that I wanted to start a business in order to support our teen mothers and minority/low-income single mothers as well, who may also be in need of a support system. Whether it’s emotional, physical, psychological, or financial support.
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?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road but, it has been well worth the ride. Some of the struggles along the way were raising two young children at a young age while working and also attending school.
I felt as if I needed to prove others wrong so I always had this mindset that I could and would do it all by myself. At times I struggled to work from one temp job to another, trying to figure out how bills were going to get paid so that I could keep a roof over my kids.
A major struggle that I’ve faced is the loss of my kid’s father in 2016.
Right after that depression hit me at an all-time high. I would just close myself in my room and cry, I was always angry, and never wanted to be bothered but I knew my kids were looking up to me to be this strong person they’ve always known me to be.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The Pathway to motherhood is a nonprofit organization where we offer physical, psychological, emotional, or financial support to expecting teen mothers, current teen mothers, or low-income/minority single mothers.
The founder is a certified life/wellness coach, whose services will be optimized in providing mentorship to any young mother that may need emotional support. We are also looking to provide any young mom in need with a baby shower (once a month), as well as accepting donations to be able to provide these moms with baby/kid items that may serve to nurture the child (diapers, wipes, clothing, etc.).
We will also be doing volunteer work in the community. Our operational model will be instituted closely with Natasha Walker (owner of Natasha’s Credit services) who will be providing financial literacy classes for any mom looking to learn how to save and budget their expenses.
We will also be collaborating with Lucretia Gordon owner of Lucretia Gordon Enterprise (licensed Special ED teacher, with maximum expertise in adult education) who will assist in instilling the uniqueness and required model for the teen mothers to further their education.
When I started The Pathway To Motherhood, with it being a new business I was not expecting the outpour of support that I had gotten, nor did I expect it to flourish as quickly as it did. I am grateful that we’ve already received donations and sponsors wanting to help out with upcoming events.
I am excited that with this business we are able to help teen and minority/low-income single mother’s in any way possible. I am excited to see what the future holds for this business and its clients.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
We look forward to having sponsors support our events.
Such as baby showers(food caterer, recreational centers interested in holding the baby shower, etc.) and back-to-school events (school supplies, food, bounce houses, etc).
We’re also looking to have volunteers to help out at events, and donations to help out our mothers that may be in need of support, such as (clothing, diapers, baby bottles, wipes, etc.).
We would also love to have guest speakers in our mentorship programs.
Contact Info:
- Website: thepathwaytomotherhood.org
- Email: sidesg@thepathwaytomotherhood.
org
Image Credits
Jesse Walker – Creative Space
