Shirley Harris | My Kota Bear, Inc.

Founded by Shirley Harris, My Kota Bear, Inc. is on a mission to bring awareness and support to NICU families within Essex and Union counties and surrounding communities.

In 2017, Shirley Harris’s daughter Dakota arrived 5 months premature at 22 weeks of gestation. Weighing only one pound, Dakota’s fight to survive inspired Harris and her family to establish My Kota Bear and support families in similar situations as they focused on getting their children well enough to return home.

To date, My Kota Bear has provided over 1,000 families with everything from much-needed items such as baby clothes, diapers, wipes, car seats, strollers, toiletries, and formula to emotional support.  Their new Educational & Support program, “So, You Had a Preemie, Now What?” will launch this Summer for moms of the NICU.

The comprehensive 9-month program covers essential topics such as mental and physical health, advocacy, parenting skills, safety measures, and life skills. By providing mothers with the knowledge and resources needed to navigate the challenges of premature birth, the program aims to improve maternal and child health outcomes, reduce mortality rates, and empower families to thrive.