Founded by OB/GYN Dr. Shelley Amuh, The Puddle Project was created to address the systemic barriers faced by pregnant and parenting teens in under-resourced communities. What began as a mission to provide support and guidance has grown into a program centered on mentorship, education, and holistic care for young mothers across Chicagoland.

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Since its inception, The Puddle Project has mentored dozens of young women through partnerships with organizations such as Simpson Academy for Young Women. Through parenting sessions, educational lectures, and life-skills workshops, the program equips young mothers with tools to build stable and confident futures.

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The organization also extends beyond academic and medical support by offering financial literacy workshops, art and nature-based self-care experiences, and the Puddle Scholarship Fund to encourage higher education and personal growth.

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Dr. Amuh’s commitment to health equity also led her to co-found the Southside Obstetrics Synergistic (SOS) Collaborative during the pandemic alongside fellow Chicago physicians. The initiative was created to help address gaps in healthcare access affecting pregnant women and infants of color following the closure of several Chicago medical facilities.