Simone Goss is on a mission of empowering teen moms through her organization Don’t 4get Me. After becoming a mom at an early age, she realized that something was for missing. However, instead of complaining, she took a leap of faith and created an organization that was geared toward teen moms. Let’s find out more about her journey to motherhood but also her organization.

Don’t 4get Me is a clever name, what was your thought process when deciding the name?
Being a mother is not easy, and while there are many support groups and services for pregnant woman, there seems to be a lack resources towards teen mothers. These young ladies are no different, in fact, they need the support more than you can imagine. That’s why I wanted to make sure the girls knew that they aren’t forgotten and that there are people are willing to support and help them become successful individuals.

Why is it important to you to help young teens moms?
I was a teen mom, I know first hand the obstacles teen mothers face, from the snide remarks to the stares and the whispers. So I wanted to create an organization that could guide and help encourage them every step of the way. For me, helping them become successful individuals would complete my life but also help with my goal of transforming them from “Statistic” to Success.

We all stumble at some point in our lives, was there ever a time during the creation of your organization where you wanted to give up?
Absolutely!! When I first started out I wanted to put together a Christmas event for teen moms in foster care. I reached out to 100 shelters, sent emails but the response rate was surprisingly low, calls were ignored and one shelter told me, they couldn’t work with me because I wasn’t a 501 c 3. I remember being devastated and couldn’t understand why it was so difficult to help people in need.

What did you learn from it?

I learned that persistence is key. Just because one door closes or never opens doesn’t mean you can’t get in! You just have to try another door.

What does my freshman year of life mean to you?
To me it means the very beginning of my life, and that there are other chapters to be discovered.

How are you ensuring young girls that they can be successful?
By sharing my story and arming them with the resources they needed to be successful.

What do you want people to know about the challenges of being a teen mom?

Being a teen mom is not easy, besides caring for a child we also have to balance caring for ourselves, finishing school, securing a job and making time for a social life.

How many young women have you helped since starting your organization?

We have helped at least 20 girls so far since starting in June 2016.

How can others help the mission of the organization?
They are many ways you can help. We’re always looking for mentors, volunteers, and sponsors. We need people who are passionate about helping our young ladies.

What is your favorite quote that motivates you?

It is by Mahatma Gandhi “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”

If you were to write a letter to your younger self about pursuing your dream what would you tell her?
I’d say my love ,this won’t be an easy journey. There will be days that you will feel like the world is against you. You’ll question and second guess yourself , BUT God is building your endurance so you can help a million girls like you become successful.

Stay in contact