ST. LOUIS — Different worlds were brought together in St. Louis through the St. Louis Mosaic Project.
The organization's goal is to transform St. Louis into one of the fastest-growing major metropolitan areas for immigration by 2025.
One way to do so is through its International Mentoring Program. The program aims to connect local women with international women to integrate in the community.
Maria Goncalves and Sarah Woodburn were paired about a year ago.
"I moved to St. Louis in 2017 and I came from Portugal. I came to St. Louis because of my husband's job. I had to leave my country, my family, friends, my job, my lifestyle, everything to join him," Goncalves said.
Woodburn moved to St. Louis from Chicago in 2016 and got involved in the program in 2018. She's the principal at SCW Strategies.
Their lives were intertwined through a matching process. Interviews are conducted to find a connection.
Woodburn believes they were matched because they both re-launched their careers after some gap years.
"After the initial period that everything is new and exciting about living the American dream, it's great but when you hit six months, you get this feeling of loneliness. In that moment you need the support to keep going," Goncalves said.
That's how she initially got involved after hearing about the program.
She was originally a member of the Mosaic Project’s International Spouses Women Group, which is for foreign-born women who have moved to the St. Louis area with a spouse or partner, before joining the International Mentorship Program.
"When I met Sarah, I knew I was in great hands. This program is one of the reasons I am still here. It made me feel like I can do this, I can belong here and I'm ready to embrace St. Louis," Goncalves said.
After an interview and matching process, Woodburn became her mentor.
"Women have come here, this program has kept them here, attraction retention and they've started businesses here. Maria has started a business. Maria works for someone from another country who started an amazing business. It’s economic development no question," Woodburn said.
Woodburn explained the program has grown since the two founders created the organization.
"This was a conversation over coffee with an international woman and a local woman saying we should do something. Now, it involves 580 women representing 67 countries that work at 300 companies in the area," Woodburn said.
Goncalves has completed the program and now is a leader guiding 12 mentees and mentors.
She's teaching others that they can thrive too.
"I see all these women and the potential they have, they are highly educated and if they don’t have the right support they’ll probably move back. The program allowed me to thrive and now I can help other women feel the same as I do right now," Goncalves said.
Goncalves shared this message.
"I know at some point you’ll feel alone and maybe this wasn't the right move, but before going back, give this program a chance," she said.
Currently, the program is looking for more mentors and mentees. To sign up or learn more, click here.
There is no cost to join the program.