When Nikki Baker, Sofia Murray and Victoria Psk Blackmar became mothers within months of one another, they found themselves facing a challenge familiar to many new parents: building community in a new place.

All three women had settled in Rhode Island’s East Bay from elsewhere. While they loved the area’s coastal charm, family-friendly atmosphere and close-knit neighborhoods, they discovered there was no hyperlocal community specifically designed to connect mothers in Bristol, Warren and Barrington.

That realization led to the creation of East Bay RI Moms, a growing community that brings local mothers together through meetups, social events and partnerships with small businesses.

“We love this area so much, but there was nowhere for moms in this specific corner of Rhode Island,” Baker said. “There were statewide groups, but nothing that really spoke to your day-to-day life — your local coffee shop, the park up the street or the small business owner you actually wanted to connect with.”

The founders started small, organizing a handful of free gatherings with no pressure or expectations. The response was immediate.

“It was really surprising how quickly people showed up and how hungry they were for a group like this,” Baker said. “Early motherhood can be isolating, and we kept hearing the same thing — women felt alone and didn’t know how to find their people locally.”

What began as a solution to their own need for connection has quickly grown into an active community that hosts everything from coffee meetups and playdates to moms’ nights out and ladies’ nights.

For Murray, who was eight months pregnant when the group launched, the community became an important source of support during the postpartum period.

“I think this group has helped my postpartum so much because it got me out of the house,” Murray said. “I was able to be with other moms going through the same things.”

Friends to lean on

Many of the mothers in the group have children around the same age, creating a built-in support network where members can share advice, compare experiences and encourage one another through the challenges of early parenthood.

“There are moms whose babies struggle in the car seat, and sometimes it’s stressful just getting out the door,” Murray said. “But once we’re there, we look at each other and say how worth it it is. We get coffee, we talk, we get out of the house.”

The founders say one of the most rewarding aspects of East Bay RI Moms has been watching friendships form and seeing mothers gain confidence simply by knowing they are not alone.

The group also places a strong emphasis on supporting local businesses. Events are often held at area coffee shops, boutiques and family-friendly establishments, helping members discover new places while supporting the local economy.

“The amount of feedback we’ve had from moms saying, ‘I didn’t even know that was here,’ has been amazing,” Baker said. “It’s really special to connect moms with these businesses and help them feel more connected to the community.”

Each founder brings a unique perspective shaped by life in different parts of the world.

Baker grew up in Boca Raton, Fla., while Murray is originally from Argentina. Blackmar, whose family background spans Brazil, England and Germany, said the East Bay offers a rare combination of small-town community and access to nature.

“The East Bay really has everything to offer,” Blackmar said. “The community, the social life, the festivals, being by the water — it’s a 10 out of 10.”

The ties that bind

For Murray, one of the area’s greatest strengths is the sense of safety and connection families experience.

“I didn’t grow up with this kind of community,” she said. “It’s really nice how people show up for each other here.”

As East Bay RI Moms continues to grow, the founders remain committed to expanding thoughtfully while staying true to their original mission: helping local mothers find their village.

Managing a growing community while raising young children might seem challenging, but the founders say their friendship makes it possible.

“It’s easy because there’s three of us,” Murray said. “Whenever one person is a little behind because of motherhood or life, the others step in.”

The trio’s longstanding friendships provide the foundation for that support system. Blackmar has been friends with Murray for eight years and Baker for six.

“We’re so grateful that it’s the three of us,” Blackmar said. “If one person needs to step away, it doesn’t automatically fall on one other person. Deep down, we have those strong friendships where it’s simply, ‘I’ve got you.’ ”

For the founders, East Bay RI Moms is about more than organizing events. It is about creating the kind of community they were searching for when they arrived in the East Bay themselves — and ensuring that no mother has to navigate parenthood alone.