Nicole Sexton and her daughter walk up to the Bethel house they stayed in while Sexton was going through the Next Step program. Sexton requested that we not show her nor her daughter’s face.Six years ago, at the age of 16, Nicole Sexton found herself in one of the most terrifying situations for a young woman. She was pregnant and on her own, with no home and no family to care for her and her unborn child.
Sexton wasn’t prepared to give up, though.
“When my baby was born, I just knew that I didn’t want her to go through the lifestyle I’d been in,” said Sexton. “I wanted better for her, and I know I wouldn’t be at the place I am now if it wasn’t for her.”
Sexton turned to Bethel Bible Village for assistance, and became the first teen mom graduate of Bethel’s Next Step residential program. Bethel housed her at a cottage on the nonprofit’s campus in Hixson, drove her back and forth to work and took Sexton’s daughter to day care. Additionally, she was enrolled in parenting classes through Bethel to help her learn how best to care for her young girl.
“I felt special to receive their help,” Sexton said.