Bilingual International Assistant Services is a not-for-profit 501 (C) (3) organization established in May, 2002 by stateless refugee women. Bilingual International was founded as a response to the unmet needs of foreign-born seniors who had limited ability in the English language, were unable to navigate the intricate system of care, and often voiced fear over their future and livelihood.
In 2005, the agency began serving US-born older adults, who, despite knowledge of English, lacked knowledge of the system of care and resources. Poverty stricken, isolated seniors who were also home bound and frail sought our services to help them improve their living situations, overcome anxieties, and increase their ability to maintain community living.
In 2016, Bilingual International welcomed two long-time partner agencies: the Center for Survivors of Torture and War Trauma and the Places for People Faith Team. These recent additions have enhanced the agency’s service portfolio – especially to refugees and survivors of state-sanctioned torture.
Free of negative bias, we advocate for and encourage legislation that promotes statewide accessible, appropriate health and social services for under-served individuals and populations. Through our services and proven track record, we not only live our mission – we go beyond expectations to help our elderly and foreign-born communities.
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Featured News
Bilingual International Staff Organizes Immigrant/Refugee Soccer Team
On Saturday, July 29 Bilingual International sponsored a soccer team of refugee and immigrant kids from various ethnic communities of St. Louis who were able to participate in the Cup of Nations tournament at St. Louis University High – an annual soccer event that brings together international teams to compete and build relationships with each other and with members of the Saint Louis community.
In the Kitchen at Macklind International Senior Center
There are many reasons why Macklind International Senior Center is popular with the older foreign-born adults we serve, but one of the biggest is certainly the food. Culturally appropriate cuisine prepared fresh, on-site, with nutritious ingredients. Merita and Hajrija work tirelessly to prepare these meals for our participants and to cater to the palate and cultural wishes […]
Featured Events
Thank you for your continued support!
Bilingual International celebrated another successful year for our hugely popular Henna Hands booth at the Festival of Nations in Tower Grove Park. The weather couldn’t have been better and, thanks to our volunteer henna artists and cashiers, we were able to do over 330 henna pieces and raise critical funds for our direct services with […]
Visit Our Henna Art Booth at the Festival of Nations This Weekend!
BIAS is hosting a Henna booth at the Festival of Nations on August 26-27, 2017
Day in Support of Victims of Torture – June 26 – Missouri History Museum
Bilingual International will collaborate with the Missouri History Museum to host a presentation honoring the United Nations designated Day in Support of Victims of Torture on June 26. This free event will begin at 2:30pm in the Lee Auditorium of the Missouri History Museum and feature a panel of refugee speakers moderated by Refugee Services Team Lead Ron […]