WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Everyone needs someone to call on when they are in need or just wanting to talk. One woman is creating a space for women to do that with a mentorship program for other women.

What You Need To Know

  • Former teen mom creates program to help other women

  • The program is a way for her to give back to her community

  • It’s a mentorship program where women are helping women

Danielle Gurley is a former teen mom, who created an organization for women to help other women called Shelter Our Sisters.

"Shelter Our Sisters means so much to me because it's my opportunity to reach back out to my community, and help other women who were in same situations as I was. As a teen mother I relied heavily on the connections of my community, their advice, their wisdom, their assistance in any form that I could receive it," Gurley, founder of Shelter Our Sisters, said.

She recently launched a new program within the organization back in February called “Sister, Sister.” It’s a mentorship program for young girls and women starting at the age of 13. It came about because of the pandemic, and she wanted to help those who are struggling through it.

"We wanted to address any issues that were underlying in the African American community. We tend to negate or disregard issues that we should bring to the forefront and actively address,” Gurley said.

Gurley has close to two dozen women serving as mentors in the program. The women are role models and giving others an outlet in case they need someone to talk to.

"They have experienced different circumstances in life that made them want to turn around and help their sister beside them. Oftentimes they just do it because they know what it feels like to just have someone to speak to them," Gurley said.

The mentorship program is virtual because of the pandemic. If you are interested in more information you can head to Shelter Our Sisters' website for more.