About Welcome Neighbor STL
We support refugees and immigrants in St. Louis by connecting them with the people, resources, and opportunities they need to build fulfilling, independent lives in their new home.
What began in the fall of 2016 as a simple toiletry drive for newly arrived refugee families has grown into a thriving, multi-faceted organization. Today, we are a 501c3 nonprofit and have more than 4,000 supporters. Together, we have helped over 600 refugees from 11 countries.
At the heart of our work is a commitment to helping individuals and families become self-sufficient, confident members of their new community. Our programs are designed to meet real needs, help build a solid foundation, and create lasting impact.
Our programs include:
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Family Partnering Program - We connect a team of volunteer partners to a refugee family to assist with everything from school registration, medical needs, social outings, and much more. The goal of the program is self-sufficiency for the refugee family and lasting friendship between the refugee family and the family partners.
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Supper Club Program - To supplement income and learn business practices, we started our Supper Club program in 2017. We teach our refugee friends how to manage catering events/supper clubs where refugee cooks keep 90% of the proceeds and the rest covers the cost of food, kitchen rental, utensils, etc. Currently, we have served over 21,231 guests at 335 events and raised over $599,749.
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Transportation Program - Transportation can be a significant barrier to the independence and cultural assimilation of an immigrant family. WNSTL provides a pathway for overcoming this hurdle in three ways:
- Connection to language classes and instruction for gaining a MO driving permit.
- Free driving lessons from Coach Harder Driving School to any refugee man or woman with a MO state Driver's Permit.
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ESL (English as a Second Language) - Our ESL program is geared towards people who cannot easily leave the house for class and with little to beginner level English. Our volunteer tutors go to the refugee's house for ESL lessons.
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Academic Support - We are committed to helping refugee students succeed. We have two programs dedicated to helping students with academics.
- Weekly Tutoring Session for Students - an evening group tutoring session on Wednesday nights during the school year. Volunteers work one-on-one or in small groups to provide additional support with homework assignments, as well as skill development in English and math.
- In-House Tutoring - Volunteers are assigned to a refugee home with school-aged children from first to twelfth grade. Volunteer tutors help with homework, language, and math skills.
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Mothers Support Group - We have two bi-weekly therapeutic support groups for refugee mothers. Jillayna Adamson, MA, LPC, LMHC, of Bright Tribe Therapy and Wellness is the creator and clinician running the Mothers' Support Groups.
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Meal Delivery to Unhoused Individuals - Our refugee chefs wanted to give back to Americans in the same way we have given back to them. So, we started a meal delivery program for unhoused individuals. Twice a month, our chefs make meals and they are distributed directly to our unhoused community.