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Volunteer opportunity- English tutoring

by Adam Hendrickson

The Life Long Learning Center is in search of volunteer English tutors for their adult ESL class. This is a great way to get involved and help folks as they learn to speak English! They are in search of volunteers who are available Mondays through Thursdays from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm. If you are interested in this opportunity and available during any of the listed times contact llc@mcps.k12.mt.us for more information!

“Being a volunteer English tutor at the LLC means that every day is a joyful celebration of learning and of belonging. Supported by amazing ESL instructors, volunteers can make a tangible difference in the lives of refugees as well as other English language learners. Whether working 1:1 or in a group, whether conjugating verbs or counting money,  the LLC ESL classroom is a place where hearts and minds connect across cultures to create relationships which enrich the lives of everyone who is present.” – Life Long Learning Center English volunteer. Jan McArthur


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Volunteer training: teaching English language learners

by Adam Hendrickson

The Life Long Learning Center is providing another training for volunteers interested in teaching English language learners. This 4 session class with experienced English language teacher, Jacquie Teasdale, prepares you to effectively help someone learn the English language and is great for any population of English language learners, especially adults.

The Lifelong Learning Center is always in need of volunteers for their daily English class and taking this training is the first step to get involved! If you are interested in being an English tutor/teacher in any capacity we highly recommend you take this class!

“I learned so much in this training, from information about language in general to designing and implementing lesson plans. I am glad I took this training and will hold onto the knowledge from the class for a long time!” -Soft Landing Missoula volunteer

  • What: Teaching English Language Learners- Volunteer Training

  • Where: Lifelong Learning Center, 310 S Curtis St, Missoula, MT 59801

  • When: September 18th- September 27th, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm

  • How: Sign up online at the Lifelong Learning Center registration page

  • Cost: $70.00

  • Lifelong Learning Center: (406) 549-8765

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Welcoming Week

by Adam Hendrickson

Join Soft Landing Missoula and Imagine Nation Brewing for Missoula’s second annual Welcoming Week. In tandem with thousands of other organizations and communities nationwide, Soft Landing hopes to inspire and celebrate welcoming all people to the Missoula community. Together with partners, including the International Rescue Committee, The Top Hat, the Roxy Theater, the Jeanette Rankin Peace Center, ARTS Missoula, & more, we invite you to this weeklong cultural celebration!

  • Welcoming Week kick-off party: 

    • Friday, September 14th, 5:30 pm @ Imagine Nation Brewing

    • Help us kick off Welcoming Week 2018 with a celebration at Imagine Nation Brewing! Bring your friends and sip on the limited edition TOGETHER Global Pale Ale, brewed exclusively for Soft Landing Missoula, while partaking in a global trivia game. Save room for shawarma and falafel from the incredibly talented Ammar Omar of Kamoon Arabian Cuisine.

  • A Taste of the Middle East- Soft Landing’s September Supper Club:

    • Sunday, September 16th; Pre-sale ticketed event @ the Top Hat

    • September’s Supper Club will feature the savory flavors of the Middle East, with four refugee chefs partnering to create a menu that you won’t want to miss. A three course family-style dinner featuring food from Iraq and Syria will be served alongside your favorite beverages, including Imagine Nation Brewing’s limited edition TOGETHER Global Pale Ale, brewed exclusively for Soft Landing Missoula. Join us to eat, drink, and celebrate with our incredible neighbors- new and old!

    • Purchase your ticket here. Check out the Facebook event here!

  • Film screening “War/Dance”:

    • Monday, September 17th, 7:00 pm @ The Roxy

    • Global and Cultural Affairs of Arts Missoula, in collaboration with the Roxy Community Theater, Soft Landing and the International Rescue Committee invite you to the opening premiere of a new global film series titled: World View – Cultures in Motion. Set in Northern Uganda, WAR/DANCE tells the story of three children whose families have been torn apart, their homes destroyed, and who currently reside in a
      refugee camp in Patongo.

  • “I am Malala” all ages book discussion and reception:

    • Tuesday, September 18th, 5:30 pm @ Jeanette Rankin Peace Center

    • Join the Jeanette Rankin Peace Center for a discussion about “I Am Malala” by Malala Yousafzai, followed a Q+A session with Maria Chaudhary surrounding the stereotypes and generalizations that are made about a person’s country and navigating the issue of cultural sensitivity. Drinks and small bites provided, teens and adults welcome!

  • Welcoming new ideas for sister city exchange- strategic city partnerships:

    • Tuesday, September 18th, 6:00 pm @ Imagine Nation Brewing

    • Interested in learning more about our sister cities or being involved in culture and language immersion programs? All are welcome to ARTS Missoula’s community discussion on increasing our strategic city partnerships with our sister cities of Neckargemünd, Germany and Palmerston North, New Zealand.

  • Advocacy day: learn about policies affecting refugees:

    • Friday, September 21st, 12:00-2:00 pm @ Imagine Nation Brewing

    • Join the the International Rescue Committee to advocate for refugees! Currently, refugee arrivals in the U.S. are at their lowest levels in the history of the U.S. resettlement program. With new refugee admission numbers being decided by October 1st, your voice can make a big difference. Come call your Senator with us and discover more information about resettlement in the U.S.

  • Eritrean Coffee Ceremony:

    • Saturday, September 22nd, 9:00-11:00 am @ Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church

    • Join Soft Landing to celebrate Missoula’s Eritrean community at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church for a traditional coffee ceremony, where green coffee beans are hand-roasted, ground, and brewed into strong and delicious coffee. Enjoy a delicious cup with traditional Himbasha bread, sitting in front of a traditional serving table. Admission is free with a suggested donation to benefit the participating families. Drop by anytime between 9:00-11:00 am!

  • A friendly soccer match: Congo vs Eritrea:

    • Sunday, September 23rd, 4:30 pm @ Playfair Fields

    • Soccer teams from two of Missoula’s refugee communities kick off our final Welcoming Week event with a friendly soccer match! Head down to Playfair Park to watch the game, enjoy great company, and mingle with neighbors- new and old. After the game, bring a dish or treat to share and join us for a delicious potluck at 6:00 pm hosted by the Missoula Alliance Church to celebrate the end of Welcoming Week 2018.

Welcoming Sophia Bay!

by Adam Hendrickson

We want to introduce you to and welcome the newest member of our team, the amazing Sophia Bay! Many of you have seen her smiling face in the office as she braves the chaos of coming on board at SLM and we are thrilled to have her around as our new Director of Development and Communications.  She brings a unique background of non-profit and social enterprise work to our team and is already certainly the reason for our spiced up IG posts! Welcome Sophia! We are so excited to have ya! 


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Futpong and SLM at Sunday Streets

by Adam Hendrickson

Did you get a chance to play Futpong at the World Refugee Day soccer tournament and community celebration? During Sunday Streets you will have another opportunity to take part in this awesome game and while learning more about Soft Landing Missoula. 

Sunday Streets is an annual event put on by Missoula in Motion to celebrate the community’s walkability and bikeability! On Sunday, September 9th Higgins Street will be closed for folks of all ages and abilities to take part in fun activities, learn about local businesses, and gather more information about our community. 

Soft Landing Missoula will be located next to the Futpong court with information about refugees and resettlement in Missoula. Come say hi and play or watch a round of Futpong! We can’t wait to see you all there celebrating the livability of our wonderful community! 

  • When: Sunday, September 9th 12:00pm-4:00pm 
  • Where: Higgins Avenue- From the XXXX’s to 5th Street
  • Free and open to everyone! 

Futpong is tennis with your feet and or other parts of your body excluding of course your hands and arms. Played on a 12’ by 6’ court with a net, recommended footwear is sneakers. Futpong can help you hone in on your soccer skills or just get out and try a fun new game! For more information on Futpong:

September Supper Club!

by Adam Hendrickson

Join us at the Top Hat on September 16th at 5:30 pm for a special edition of Soft Landing Missoula’s United We Eat supper club! September’s supper club will be one of many events during the third week of September as part Welcoming Week! Tickets here: http://bit.ly/2x1cYFf

Welcoming Week is a nationwide, annual event that brings together immigrants, refugees, and U.S.-born residents in a spirit of unity to build strong connections across the community and affirm the benefits of welcoming everyone – including new Americans. Missoula will be celebrating Welcoming Week for the second year in a row with a series of community building cultural events! A schedule and information about how you can participate in all the weeks events here.

The Soft Landing Missoula Supper Club aims to introduce the incredible culinary talent of Missoula’s newest neighbors and international residents, whose rich and flavorful cooking traditions provide a cultural bridge and enrich our shared community. September’s supper club will feature Middle Eastern cuisine made by three Missoula families from Iraq and Syria. 


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Where: The Top Hat, 134 W Front St, Missoula, MT 59802

When: Sunday September 16th.  Doors open at 5:30pm and appetizers will be served at 6:00pm

Cost: Eat: $40/person Give: $60/person Love: $80/person

When you pay you will have the option to: Eat: $40 for a delicious family style dinner, where a portion of the cost covers ingredients and staff time, and the rest goes to the guest chef. Give: $60 gets you the same delicious dinner, but with an additional $20 going directly to the guest chef. Love: $80 gives an additional $40 directly to the guest chef to collectively make this an unforgettable evening! All levels are welcome and appreciated!

How:

FB event to share here!

Please direct any further questions to megan@softlandingmissoula.org

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We did it! Lucky’s Market Bags for Change Partnership

by Adam Hendrickson

Thank you to all of those who voted for us in Lucky’s Market Missoula’s Bags for Change partners- we won!

This means that for every reusable bag you bring in for your shopping trip between August 19th- November 10th, Lucky’s will give you the chance to donate your 10 cents/bag to one of their partnering nonprofits. At the end of the quarter, all proceeds will be matched by Lucky’s Market and then donated to Soft Landing Missoula.  Better yet, stop into our office and purchase a couple SLM totes to do your shopping at Lucky’s and double down on the gift!

Happy shopping! 


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SLM at the Western Montana Fair

by Adam Hendrickson


**** EDIT ****
We are sad to say that Thursday was our last day at the fair. It was a fun experiment, and we thank you for the support! If you missed out on the delicious shawarma and falafel, head over to the Clark Fork Market Saturday to visit Kamoon Arabian Cuisine. Thank you for your continued support!
***************

It’s officially Fair time!!

Running from August 7th-12th at the fairgrounds in Missoula, Soft Landing has a booth set up all week that will be dishing up your favorite Iraqi food by Arabian Cuisines (falafel and shawarma served with fresh crisp veggies!)  alongside Baklava (the BEST you have ever had!) and Kubba (a delicious mini spiced meat pocket of sorts!) – all made by incredible refugee chefs! We are located just outside main entrance to Glacier Ice Rink.  Come chow- just like the baby in the picture!

Thanks David Clumpner for more great pics!

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The Fair has free admission and plenty of free fun events such as:

  1. Made Fair
  2. Pony Rides
  3. Knockerball Missoula
  4. Kids Zucchini/Pumpkin Decorating
  5. International Foods Competition
  6. Flower Shows
  7. Canine Stars Diving Dogs
  8. 4H Shows
  9. Lead-a-llama (7 and under)
  10. Kids Cookie/Cupcake Decorating
  11. So, so much more!!!

If you know a refugee family, bring them on down for a true, blue, American experience! For a detailed schedule and event list, visit the Missoula Fairgrounds website. 

See you at the fair!

Seeking Intern/Volunteer for Child Care

by Adam Hendrickson

The International Rescue Committee is seeking a volunteer or intern to assist with childcare for Missoula’s refugee population. 


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ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

  • Develop and implement childcare self-sufficiency plan in coordination with IRC staff and refugee family including: search for appropriate openings, facilitate tours, & assist families in completing paperwork
  • Serve as a liaison between refugee clients and Child Care Resources, the state scholarship program provider.
  • Teach families how to ride the public bus to reach Child Care Resources and childcare facilities 
  • Establish and cultivate relationships with Child Care Resources and early education providers
  • Expand on existing childcare procedures and protocol manual
  • Assisting with files, case notes, data entry, participation in weekly case staffing meetings

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Background in early childhood education, social work, or other related fields
  • Motivated, flexible and ability to work independently, prioritize, and manage time effectively
  • Strong computer skill with proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and Outlook)
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate and work as a team member in a cross-cultural environment
  • IRC orientation and background check required
  • Experience working with refugees/diverse populations is a plus 

POSISTION LOGISTICS:

  • Compensation: This an unpaid internship
  • Hours: 10+ or more hours a week
  • Supervisor: Becca Burgmeier, Employment Specialist at the International Rescue Committee

Interested candidates should email a resume and brief statement of interest to Zak Reimer, Community Engagement Coordinator at volunteer.missoula@rescue.org!

July Supper Club

by Adam Hendrickson

Join us at 6:00 PM on July 29th to enjoy Missoula’s tastiest club!

The Soft Landing Missoula Supper Club aims to introduce the incredible culinary talent of Missoula’s newest neighbors and international residents, whose rich and flavorful cooking traditions provide a cultural bridge and enrich our shared community.

This month’s supper club will feature Eritrean food made by our incredibly talented Guest Chef Abebech Alomu! Eritrean cuisine has similarities to it’s neighboring regions such as Ethiopia, but has a truly unique and bold blend of flavors that make it unlike anything you have tasted before. After dinner is finished, Abebech invites you to take part in the traditional Eritrean coffee ceremony featuring hand-roasted green coffee beans.


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Payment will be collected after the meal, but when you pay you will have the option to: Eat: $40 for a delicious family style Iraqi dinner, where a portion of the cost covers ingredients and staff time, and the rest goes to the guest chef. Give: $60 gets you the same delicious dinner, but with an additional $20 going directly to the guest chef. Love: $80 gives an additional $40 directly to the guest chef to collectively make this an unforgettable evening! All levels are welcome and appreciated!

Where: Masala – 206 W. Main St., Missoula

When: Sunday July 29th.  Doors open at 5:30pm and food will be served at 6:00pm

Cost: Eat: $40/person Give: $60/person Love: $80/person

How: Call Masala at (406) 926-6444 to make a reservation

Please direct any further questions to megan@softlandingmissoula.org!