'We stopped looking at a temporary solution': Generation of Excellence Trendsetters takes new approach to prenatal care

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A prenatal care program in Milwaukee is looking to provide family support beyond the birth of a child, but for generations to follow. 

Generation of Excellence Trendsetters was founded in 2020 by Latonya Baker.

Baker's mission with the program is to become a resource for families who are welcoming a baby into their homes for the first time.

The businesswoman said, she believed more needed to be done in the community to support these families.

"We saw a bigger need, instead of providing the resources we became the resources," said Baker.

The focus of Generation of Excellence Trendsetters is to bring lifechanging skills to families in need, from housing to job training programs, giving Milwaukee families a fighting chance of success.

Baker, pulling on her own life experience of young motherhood to help aid new mothers today.

"I was scared, and he (father of Baker's child) wasn't trying to stick around," said Baker.

Baker was 17 years old when she had her first child. She was fortunate not to walk the journey alone.

"I had a supportive mom, supportive family, supportive friends, but who does not want the father of their child to be supportive," said Baker.

Even though Baker had the support, she felt like she let her family down.

"When I was in high school, I was scared, I was pregnant, I didn’t tell my mom right away, because I felt like I had failed her," said Baker.

Despite Bakers situation she found the drive to push forward.

"Because I was like I'm not going to be another statistic, one thing about me, you give me a challenge and I am definitely going to over succeed it," said Baker.

Knowing how hard it is to be a young mother, Baker wanted to help other women birth success of their own, and that's when Generation of Excellence Trendsetters was born.

"We stopped, looking at a temporary solution, and we said what can we do to remove the bandage off that solution, and give them more long-term solutions," said Baker.

It's those solutions Milwaukee mothers like Dorthea Lockhart are grateful for.

"she sits and actually listen to you , to your dreams, your goals , she's there, and if she don’t know it, she going to find out," said Lockhart.

Lockhart came to Baker looking for help with her dance company, but what she got was far greater. 

"She pushed me--even when you try to give up, she's there to not make you give up. I never gave up because of her," said Lockart. 

Lockhart was also a young mother, having her first of four children at the age of 17.

Now 33- years-old Lockhart said because of the support from Baker she's been able to thrive-- beyond her wildest dreams.

"I didn't know nothing when I came to her, and now with her helping me, I feel like I am on top. She pushed me, even when you try to give up, she's there to not make you give up. I never gave up because of her," said Lockhart.

It’s the kind of support 20-year-old Nyla Wilder-Thompson, an expecting mother is counting on.

"I just want to be the best mom, that I can be there when I can be, be present when I can," said Wilder- Thompson.

Wilder- Thompson, said since turning to Trendsetters it feels like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

"Being able to breathe, like be happy, and just be around people, that you know will, be there when you need them, said Wilder- Thompson.

These words encouraging to Baker to continue her work not only at home but internationally, all the way to Africa.

"Our first prenatal care clinic opened up in Libera and then our second location opened up in Johannesburg this month," said Baker.

A new chapter for this once young mother.

I look nothing like what I've been through, I say to them I know what's going through your mind, but I stuck through it and look where I am now," said Baker

"When you got a big supportive team, that's going to help you and give you the right advice, you're going to make it, said Lockart.

For more information on Generation of Excellence Trendsetters click the link here.