Faith Vandersteen and Region Mamas: A Community for Moms
Meet Faith Vandersteen
Faith Vandersteen is the founder of Region Mamas, an independent community serving mothers throughout Northwest Indiana and surrounding areas.
The community was born from Vandersteen's own experience with early motherhood. After having her first baby, she struggled with anxiety so intensely that leaving the house became difficult.
She loved being a mother and adored her baby, but she felt isolated.
She wanted to find other women who understood what she was experiencing.
When she couldn't find exactly what she needed, she decided to create it.
That decision would eventually grow into a community that has touched hundreds of mothers.
Why Region Mamas Was Created
Region Mamas started from a deeply personal place.
Vandersteen wanted to create the kind of community she had been searching for herself: a place where moms could meet without pressure, expectations, or judgment.
The concept was simple.
Get together.
Take a walk.
Grab coffee.
Talk.
Connect.
What began as one small gathering eventually became a ripple effect throughout the region.
For Vandersteen, the purpose has always been bigger than organizing events. It is about reminding mothers that they are not meant to navigate motherhood alone.
There are other women experiencing similar struggles, joys, fears, questions, and uncertainties.
Sometimes, finding those people begins with something as simple as showing up.
From Motherhood Anxiety to Community
Vandersteen is open about how difficult the early days of motherhood were for her.
At first, she assumed that staying home was simply part of having a new baby. Her days revolved around naps, feedings, routines, and the countless small responsibilities of caring for an infant.
But gradually, she realized that anxiety was shaping her world.
She began avoiding going out.
When she did leave the house, anxiety could make even a simple conversation feel overwhelming.
She would see other mothers at the park and want to introduce herself, but sometimes couldn't find the courage.
She also questioned her abilities as a mother.
Social media made those feelings even more difficult.
The seemingly perfect lives displayed online made her wonder if she was the only mother struggling behind the scenes.
She wasn't.
And that realization became one of the reasons she became so passionate about creating a welcoming community for other mothers.
The First Region Mamas Gatherings
The first Region Mamas gatherings were intentionally simple.
There was no complicated structure or formal organization.
Just moms showing up.
Coffee.
Walks.
Conversation.
The simplicity was part of the appeal.
Mothers didn't have to present a perfect version of themselves. They could arrive with a messy bun, running late, carrying a coffee, managing a child, or simply feeling overwhelmed.
They were welcomed anyway.
That philosophy remains at the heart of Region Mamas.
Motherhood doesn't have to look perfect to be meaningful.
Sometimes, it just needs to feel a little less lonely.
The Moment Faith Knew Region Mamas Was Bigger Than Her
One of Vandersteen's most powerful memories came during one of the group's early walks.
She watched two mothers who had been complete strangers exchange phone numbers before leaving.
It was a small moment.
But it changed how she viewed what Region Mamas could become.
Those two women might never have met without the group.
Now they had the opportunity to develop a lifelong friendship.
For Vandersteen, that was the moment she realized Region Mamas had become something bigger than her.
It was a bridge connecting mothers who needed one another but didn't necessarily know where to find that connection.
The Impact of Region Mamas
Since those first gatherings, Region Mamas has grown significantly.
The group has hosted hundreds of gatherings, including:
Coffee meetups
Mom walks
Playdates
Story time
Sensory play
Other opportunities for mothers to connect
The community has connected hundreds of moms across Northwest Indiana, from Valparaiso to Crown Point and toward the Indiana-Illinois border.
But Vandersteen believes the true impact cannot be measured in attendance numbers alone.
It's the mother who finally says:
"I found my people."
It's the friendships that continue outside of Region Mamas.
It's the women who celebrate milestones together.
It's the moms who support each other during difficult seasons.
And sometimes, it's simply knowing that one meetup made someone's day a little easier.
Motherhood, Anxiety, and the Pressure to Be Perfect
Vandersteen's story highlights a challenge many mothers experience: the pressure to make motherhood look perfect.
Social media can create the impression that everyone else has figured it out.
Perfect family photos.
Perfect milestones.
Perfect homes.
Perfect routines.
Meanwhile, many mothers are struggling quietly.
Vandersteen knows firsthand how damaging that comparison can be.
Her experience is one reason Region Mamas focuses on authenticity rather than perfection.
There is no expectation that mothers need to have everything together before they show up.
They can simply be themselves.
That openness creates space for genuine conversations and meaningful relationships.
Raising Children With Different Needs
Vandersteen's experience with motherhood has also been shaped by her children's individual needs.
She is raising four boys, two of whom have autism. One of those sons also has spina bifida.
Their routines can look different from those of other families.
Between therapies, school, medical appointments, and everyday activities, the family carefully structures their days around what helps each child thrive.
Those experiences have taught Vandersteen patience, empathy, flexibility, advocacy, and the importance of celebrating progress.
They have also given her another perspective from which to connect with mothers navigating similar journeys.
Motherhood looks different for every child and every family.
There is no single blueprint.
How Family Life Has Changed
Living with these realities requires planning and adaptability.
Therapy appointments, medical needs, school schedules, and everyday family responsibilities all have to fit together.
It can be challenging.
But Vandersteen also sees the gifts within those challenges.
Her children have taught her how to slow down, recognize small victories, and find joy in moments that might otherwise go unnoticed.
They have also taught her to see the world from different perspectives.
Most importantly, they have reinforced the importance of unconditional love and advocacy.
Advice for Parents Navigating Similar Challenges
For parents facing similar experiences, Vandersteen has one central message:
Give yourself grace.
There is no universal timeline for processing a diagnosis, adjusting to new circumstances, or figuring out what works for your family.
She encourages parents to:
Celebrate small victories.
Ask for help.
Find people who understand.
Connect with other parents.
Give themselves permission to have difficult days.
A difficult day does not erase your strength.
Sometimes connection can be as simple as a conversation with one friend, attending a church group, or taking a short walk with another parent.
You don't need to have everything figured out.
You just need to remember that you aren't alone.
How to Find Your Mom Community
For mothers who don't live close enough to attend Region Mamas events, Vandersteen recommends finding a local community.
The advice is surprisingly simple:
Show up.
Look for a local mom group.
Attend a walk.
Go to a coffee meetup.
Take your children to a playdate.
Or create a small gathering yourself.
You don't need a perfect plan.
You simply need to create an opportunity for people to connect.
Friendships often begin in the smallest moments.
What Life Might Have Looked Like Without Region Mamas
Vandersteen believes Region Mamas changed her life as much as it changed the lives of the mothers who joined it.
Without the community, she believes she might have felt significantly lonelier.
She even considered moving back to family in another state.
Instead, Region Mamas gave her friendships, shared experiences, and a sense of belonging.
It became a safe and welcoming environment where she could watch women support one another.
In many ways, creating the community she needed helped her find the community she needed herself.
What's Next for Region Mamas?
Region Mamas continues to grow, but Vandersteen wants that growth to remain true to the group's original purpose.
The focus remains on keeping the community:
Simple
Inclusive
Meaningful
Personal
Genuine
The group is expanding its meetups and developing partnerships with local businesses that believe in its mission.
There are also plans to find additional ways to support mothers beyond social gatherings.
But the heart of Region Mamas isn't changing.
Moms will continue walking side by side, talking, sharing their experiences, and turning conversations into friendships.
That's where the organization began.
And that's where Vandersteen believes the magic continues.
How to Support Region Mamas
Supporting Region Mamas doesn't require a large donation or a major commitment.
The simplest way to participate is to show up.
Attend a walk.
Join a coffee meetup.
Bring your children to a playdate.
Invite another mom.
Share a post.
Or simply be welcoming to another mother you encounter in everyday life.
That might be at:
A park
School drop-off
A coffee shop
A community event
A local business
Region Mamas also welcomes partnerships with local businesses and community spaces interested in hosting events, providing resources, or helping create welcoming environments for mothers.
Community grows when people choose to participate.
The Power of Showing Up
The story of Region Mamas demonstrates that community doesn't always require a large organization, elaborate infrastructure, or complicated plan.
Sometimes it begins with one person recognizing a need.
Faith Vandersteen needed connection.
She couldn't find exactly what she was looking for.
So she created it.
One walk became another.
One conversation became a friendship.
One gathering became hundreds.
And hundreds of mothers found a place where they could feel seen.
That is the power of simply showing up.
Final Thoughts
Faith Vandersteen's journey from a new mother struggling with anxiety to the founder of a thriving mom community is a powerful reminder that some of the most meaningful movements begin with personal experiences.
Region Mamas wasn't created because Vandersteen had all the answers.
It was created because she knew what it felt like to feel alone.
She wanted other mothers to know they didn't have to feel that way.
Today, mothers across Northwest Indiana have found friendships, support, encouragement, and belonging through the community.
The message is simple:
You don't have to do motherhood alone.
Whether you're a new mom, someone who recently moved to the area, a mother navigating additional challenges, or simply someone still searching for your people, connection can begin with one small step.
Show up.
Say hello.
Take the walk.
Grab the coffee.
Start the conversation.
Sometimes, that's all it takes to discover that you have found your people.
The original piece was posted in the Mom You Should Know section of the November 2025 issue of Mom to Mom Magazine.
