Teatime Assistant

Volunteer Position

Department

MH LEAF (Language Education and Family) Program

The Language, Education and Family Department is focused on providing a safe space for Spokane’s immigrant communities to continue learning about their cultural heritage, teaching their first languages, and connecting with additional tools to strengthen their families.  Leaf Department programs include Children’s Heritage Language Classes, Women’s Teatimes, and the Referral HUB.

Responsible to:

Samantha Walters, Leaf Manager and Teresa Schock, Community Engagement Coordinator

Works with: Leaf Program women and children, other MH Leaf Program volunteers, MH Staff, and Community partners and interpreters

Description of Role

The Women’s Teatime Assistant supports the Women’s Teatimes in providing a safe space for women to gather with their language community, speak freely, and enjoy learning opportunities together. Interpreters are always present, and volunteers do not need to speak a language other than English. This position offers an opportunity to work alongside women in an empowering and joyful, multicultural/multilingual environment.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Set-up – arrive 15-20 minutes prior to the beginning of Teatime, arrange the seating according to the planned presentation, set the tea table with tablecloths, glass teacups and saucers, fill the tea kettles with water and set to boil, arrange snacks, an assortment of tea, and water along with plates, napkins, sugar, and spoons. Bring the Kids’ Corner carpet from the storage room and set it out with an array of toys for the “Littles” (children under 6y).

• Greeting Leaf Program participants – welcome the women and children when they arrive, and make sure student(s) are signed in by an adult or that a waiver has been signed for a child to arrive alone. 

• Promote an atmosphere of hospitality and conviviality– offer tea and snacks to the women, ask them about their day, let them know what the topic for the teatime presentation is, etc. Depending on the presentation topic, provide individual assistance as needed (with computers or by contributing to the group conversation).

• Clean-up –return leftover snacks and beverages to the storage shelves along with the tablecloth and remaining napkins, plates, and cups, wash the used teacups and saucers at the sink in the storage room, store leftover food in containers from the shelves and/or the fridge, return the Kids’ Corner toys and carpet to the storage space.

Secondary Responsibilities: 

• Maintain confidentiality of all MH program participants and community members

• Uphold MH mission and values

• Accurately record volunteer hours every month via the online log (linked here)

• Read and respond to email communications from the Community Engagement Coordinator and/or the Leaf Program Manager

• Participate in offered continuing education opportunities according to availability and desire.

Skills/Qualifications Needed

Volunteers in this position need to have a commitment to the mission and vision of Manzanita House. They also need a welcoming attitude, patience in working with families new to American culture, respect for cultural diversity, an understanding that they will be in an environment where English will NOT be spoken for the majority of the time, and a willingness to learn from the program participants. No specific language skills are needed.

Optional, Welcomed Experience

Multicultural experiences, specific skills you are willing/able to teach and/or assist with, such as sewing, cooking, gardening, bookkeeping, technology, etc.

Time Commitment

2.5 hours/week X 8 weeks (5 weeks summer session)

Because we are building trust by developing relationships with MH Leaf Program participants, we request a minimum commitment of once/week for a full session with this program. Each Teatime is two hours with volunteers arriving 15-20 minutes before and staying 15 minutes after.

Manzanita House is proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V/SO. It is essential that all staff and volunteers have a strong commitment to the mission, vision, and values of Manzanita House. Hiring, including volunteers and interns, is conducted without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, membership in any labor organization, political ideology, or disability of an otherwise qualified individual.