Monarch Immigrant Services

02/20/2026

We didn't intend on a Year of Mourning for our friend Ellen Sherman, but that's kind of how it worked out, as we didn't have the heart/stomach to replace her and kept her position open for an entire year following her sudden passing. "Well that's just stupid," I can hear her saying, "Who's going to work with the volunteers?" Point taken, ma'am. So one year and a few days later, we are formally announcing Zamzama SaFi as Monarch's new Volunteer Coordinator. ZZ is aware of the shoes she has to try to fill, but she's pretty remarkable in her own right. One of ZZ's first tasks will be coordinating volunteer labor for the Ellen Sherman Senior Picnic, where we bring all of our foreign-born senior groups and their families together for a cookout and entertainment in the park. And the picnic is named after Ellen now.

02/18/2026

Wishing a happy and blessed February 17th to all our friends and fellow travelers: Ramadan Mubarak, Happy Lunar New Year, and laissez les bon temps rouler (you've still got a few hours left on that last one...)!!

02/02/2026

We’ve been kind of quiet lately. Not because we don’t have opinions – we’re an immigrant services organization, of course we have thoughts on everything going on – but because we’ve been busy supporting our foreign-born communities with direct legal assistance, mental health counseling for children, adults, and families, systems navigation, senior engagement, and language access. Continuing this work means trying to hang on to our remaining funding and – quite frankly – that sometimes means making waves on personal and not agency time. It doesn’t always feel good, but it keeps the wheels moving. At least for now.

But we want you to know that WE HEAR YOU and WE SEE YOU. Volunteer inquiries are pouring in faster than we can respond, so much so that we’re onboarding a new volunteer coordinator. Unsolicited donations are coming in from people we’ve never met, but who want to support the work we’re doing in St. Louis. Thank you, thank you, thank you for having our back and the back of our immigrant and refugee communities during these “interesting” times. You inspire us to keep going.

01/23/2026

Half of the counties in Missouri have a senior levy fund to provide services to their senior populations. St. Louis County does not, despite its growing older adult population. We will be at the County Council meeting on 2/3 to hear more about the proposed Senior Levy Fund and Seniors Count - St. Louis County. This could be a huge development for our older, foreign-born communities in the County! Come by and join us in learning more about what might be on the ballot this year! (Plus, it's the County Council so there may be fireworks!)

01/23/2026

Got the entire Survivors of Torture treatment team together for Bosnian lunch to kick off 2026. With special appearances by Dr. Marcu, Dr. Yuruk, and SOT alum Radio Ron Klutho! Thank you to Sasha for hooking up the catering from Zlatne Kapi LLC!

12/23/2025

Looking for a way to give back this holiday? Blood donations help EVERYONE across the spectrum of race, national origin, language ability, education level, etc. This one is organized by our friends at the US Afghan Chamber and the International Institute St. Louis in partnership with the American Red Cross. Details below!

Join us this Friday for a community-led blood drive hosted by members of the St. Louis Afghan Community, organized with the American Red Cross and supported by the International Institute of St. Louis. It’s a meaningful way to give back during the festive season; appointments are required. Visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter the sponsor code International Institute or call 1-800-REDCROSS to schedule.

3401 Arsenal Street, St. Louis, MO 63118
Friday, December 26
12–5 p.m.

12/19/2025

Agency values: Integrity, Responsiveness, Collaboration, Inclusiveness, and Joy. All in on the last one today at our holiday lunch at Afghan Kabob House. Good food, good people, good times.

12/02/2025

This , stand with Monarch as we keep showing up.

We know finances are tight for many right now — and nonprofits across the country are feeling it. Most organizations, including Monarch, are facing greater need with fewer resources. We encourage you to support any nonprofit whose mission matters to you. And if you’re able, we hope you’ll consider Monarch as well.

Every year, Monarch Immigrant Services provides professional, trauma-informed mental-health care; immigration legal services; case management and care coordination; interpretation and language support; and senior services to more than 3,000 immigrants and refugees in the St. Louis region.

Today, newcomers are confronting challenges that change quickly and grow more complicated by the day. Policies are tightening, safety nets are thinning, and nothing is getting any easier. But Monarch keeps showing up — meeting families at their most vulnerable moments and helping them navigate the systems that shape their lives.

Your Giving Tuesday gift, in any amount, fuels this persistence. It helps us keep showing up, keep adapting, and keep making sure newcomers aren’t left to face these challenges alone.

11/28/2025

We are sharing the following press release on behalf of friend, colleague, and Afghan Chamber President, Haroon Safi:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
US Afghan Chamber of Commerce
St. Louis, MO — November 27, 2025
Statement on the Tragic Shooting in Washington, D.C. and Continued Support for Evacuated Afghan Allies

The US Afghan Chamber of Commerce is deeply saddened and distressed by the tragic shooting that occurred in Washington, D.C. Our thoughts are with the Guardsmen, their families, and all those affected. No one, least of all men and women actively serving their country, should fear being attacked in our nation’s capital. We unequivocally condemn this action and political violence in general.

As we collectively mourn this heartbreaking event, we encourage fellow Americans to not let the heinous act of one individual reflect on the characters of all Afghan-Americans, especially the thousands of Afghan allies who were evacuated to safety during the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. These individuals—interpreters, logistics personnel, soldiers, and their families—stood beside U.S. and coalition personnel for years, often at great personal risk. Their safety and successful resettlement in the United States remain a moral responsibility and a reflection of our national values.

In moments of national tragedy, it becomes even more important that we do not lose sight of those who have trusted us with their futures. Many Afghan evacuees continue to navigate the challenges of resettlement: securing stable housing, accessing education and healthcare, learning new systems, and rebuilding their lives from scratch. They need our support now more than ever.
We urge policymakers, community leaders, partner organizations, and the public to continue investing in resettlement services, legal pathways, mental health support, and community integration programs. Compassion and vigilance can coexist—and in challenging times, both are essential.

Our organization remains committed to working with local and national partners to ensure that Afghan allies receive the dignity, security, and opportunities they deserve. These allies stood and fought alongside U.S. forces to protect the freedoms we all enjoy. We must continue, through the horror of this violent attack by a disturbed individual, to honor the sacrifice of the larger Allied community by recommitting ourselves to a society where everyone who fought for this republic can thrive and contribute to making it stronger.

11/26/2025

It's Ron's last day! Ron (center, back row) is retiring after driving our senior groups for the past three years. Ron provided door-to-door transportation to St. Louis International Senior Center, helped seniors on and off the bus, and made sure everyone got where they were going in one piece. Ron won't have to deal with navigating narrow South City streets in our bus anymore, but he also won't get his steady supply of unsolicited "tips" - instant coffee packets, trail mix, hard candies - from his riders. Enjoy the down time, sir!

11/19/2025

ZZ’s job title at Monarch Immigrant Services is Case Manager/SASIC Program Ambassador. The first part is obvious, almost comically unglamorous, and constitutes like 95% of the workload. It’s the day-to-day grind of helping Afghan refugee families navigate the complex and sometimes hostile prospect of starting over from nothing in a foreign country.

ZZ is a solid Case Manager.

She is an amazing Program Ambassador.

She has an ability to use her personal story – being kidnapped and abused by the Taliban, escaping then serving alongside NATO Coalition forces as an interpreter - unflinchingly to connect with audiences in a visceral way that elevates her advocacy for Afghan refugees and specifically for women’s rights. She came back from Jefferson City earlier this year and casually mentioned that she received standing ovations from both houses of the state legislature. We laughed, but then she pulled out her phone and showed us the videos. She’s also the subject of a documentary that we may or may not be allowed to talk about yet, so we’ll just drop that here and move on.

Anyway, she’s a rare talent. Which is why we were thrilled to be able to send her to the United Nations Association of the United States of America Leadership Summit last weekend. Thank you to Carlos Suarez for the invitation and for securing the event for St. Louis!

11/19/2025

Are you a mental health professional working primarily with immigrant and refugee populations in the St. Louis area? It's a weird time and communication is more important than ever. Join our quarterly peer-led roundtable and stay informed!