SHARING HER STORY — Rebekah Cohen Morris, executive director of the Aim Women’s Center and founder of the Mother of Mercy Home, spoke to students at the Sycamore Youth Center about the importance of helping and serving others. She shared her own personal struggles she has experienced along the way. -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — Rebekah Cohen Morris, executive director of the Aim Women’s Center and founder of the Mother of Mercy Home, spoke to approximately 40 seventh- and eighth-graders at the Sycamore Youth Center.

Morris offered a powerful message about resilience, compassion and serving others. During her talk, she shared personal experiences, including how she had to overcome bullying and other challenges growing up.

Morris explained how those difficult experiences helped to shape her character and gave her a deep empathy for people who are struggling. She encouraged students to see hardship not as something that defines them, but as an opportunity to grow in strength and understanding. She emphasized the importance of standing up for others, showing kindness and being aware of the needs of those around them.Morris’s message strongly resonated with the students, as she connected her personal journey to her work in the community, speaking about her role as executive director of the Aim Women’s Center, where she works to support women facing unplanned pregnancies and additional life challenges.

She discussed her work and the founding of the Mother of Mercy Home in Steubenville, a residential program that provides housing and support for mothers and their children.

“Rebekah has an incredible ability to connect with young people in a real and meaningful way,” said Bobbyjon Bauman, executive director of the Sycamore Youth Center. “By sharing her own story of overcoming adversity, she helped our students see that their challenges do not have to define them, but can instead become a source of compassion and strength for helping others.”

Throughout the presentation, Morris highlighted how compassion, perseverance and service can lead to meaningful change, personally and within the wider community. She challenged students to consider how they can make a positive impact in their own schools, families and neighborhoods.

Sycamore leaders expressed their gratitude for Morris’s willingness to share her story and inspire students during a formative time in their lives. The talk was part of the center’s ongoing effort to provide today’s young people with positive role models and life-giving lessons that extend beyond the classroom.