“Affirmation upon affirmation led her to build the organization we now call Baby Steps.”
The Baby Steps Story
It began over 30 years ago when Co-Founders, Matt and Michelle Schultz found themselves facing an unplanned pregnancy. With fear and anxiety, Michelle felt that finishing her degree and having her baby was impossible. Because of this belief, she made the decision to terminate her pregnancy and continue with her plans for the future.
As years went by, they realized how a seemingly small decision impacted their life and the lives of others in immense ways. 12 years later, after much healing, they began sharing their story. Their eyes were opened to an overlooked, isolated population of people in desperate need of support. They felt an unceasing call to do something more. This is when the idea of Baby Steps was born.
Matt & Michelle Schultz // Co-Founders
The Story Continues…
As with anything worth doing in life, doubt slips in from time to time. A needed affirmation came in the spring of 2013. In a moment of uncertainty that Baby Steps was truly needed, Kaitlyn Willing (current Baby Steps Director of Operations) dropped into Michelle’s lap. Kaitlyn shared that just two and a half years earlier, as a junior at Auburn University, she experienced her own unplanned pregnancy. While Kaitlyn decided to parent her child and finish her degree, the lack of support made graduating almost impossible. Kaitlyn not only affirmed the concept of Baby Steps as an organization but also helped build Baby Steps by providing unique insight to what life was like as a Student-Mom on a college campus.
Kaitlyn Willing // Director of National Operations
Their two journeys continue to be the inspiration that fuels our desire to create a space where young women are not defined by their circumstances but are empowered to thrive in all areas of their lives. In 2019, Michelle made Baby Steps her full-time job as Executive Director and has been striving each day to empower Student-Moms to persevere as both students and mothers.
Although very different,
“At the end of the day, what makes it meaningful is knowing we are making a difference in a Student-Mom’s life. Providing relief from financial burdens, living expenses, and even daycare creates a positive generational impact and paves the way for Baby Steps to change the world.”
- Michelle Schultz
The Expansion Story
Over the years, countless individuals approached Baby Steps with the desire to build something similar in their communities. Michelle and the Baby Steps team started to seriously consider planting additional Baby Steps Hubs across the country in 2021. Several locations were carefully considered, and in 2022 UCF and The University of Alabama were chosen to be the pilot sites.
By linking arms with passionate individuals in various communities across the country, we aim to create a society where college students facing an unplanned pregnancy can have both her education and her baby. Baby Steps recognizes the unique position we have of creating a culture of empowerment that changes how universities, communities, and society as a whole see and support Student-Moms. We are diligently working to serve Student-Moms across the nation. This is just the beginning.
