Free Refugee Mothers Support Group — St. Louis | Welcome Neighbor STL
Welcome Neighbor STL’s Mother’s Support Group is a safe, welcoming circle for refugee and immigrant mothers rebuilding their lives in St. Louis. Families who have faced displacement carry a much higher risk of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress, and mothers often carry it for the whole household. This group was created so that “refugee mamas” have a place to be heard, to grieve and laugh with women who understand, and to widen the village that every mother needs.
What to Expect
The group meets every other Friday from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM at the Welcome Neighbor STL office. It is led by Jillayna Adamson, MA, LPC, LMHC, a St. Louis psychotherapist who specializes in trauma and cross-cultural mental wellness in women and mothers, and a translator is present so that language is not a barrier to participating. Sessions are therapeutic and conversational rather than lecture-style: mothers talk about isolation, worry, the stress of navigating a new country, parenting across cultures and the memories they brought with them, and they build friendships that extend well beyond the room. A small play area and child-minding support are provided so that mothers can bring their children and still take part. Volunteers offer safe, reliable rides to and from the session for women who need transportation.
Who This Group Is For
This group is for refugee and immigrant mothers living in the St. Louis area, whatever their country of origin, language, faith or how long they have been in the United States. Mothers of babies, school-age children and teens are all welcome, with or without their children in tow. Newly arrived families and those who have been here for years alike will find women who recognize their story.
Why Peer Support Works
Supporting a mother’s mental wellness directly shapes how her children adjust and how the whole family settles. Group support that combines a trauma-informed clinician with the lived experience of other displaced mothers reduces isolation, normalizes reactions to extraordinary stress, and connects women to practical resources in a culturally respectful way. Meeting in a familiar, consistent space every other week helps trust grow slowly and safely.
How to Join
There is no fee listed for the group; it is a program of Welcome Neighbor STL, a nonprofit that serves refugee and immigrant families. To learn more, ask about the next meeting or arrange a ride or child care, contact Welcome Neighbor STL through the Mother’s Support Group page on their website.