Later in Life Intern/Volunteer (Mandarin-Speaking)

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Womankind works with survivors of gender-based violence to rise above trauma and build a path to healing. We bring critical resources and deep cultural competency to help Asian communities find refuge, recovery, and renewal.

Purpose/Overview:

The Later in Life program started in 2012 to address the needs and challenges of older adult (age 50 and above) survivors of gender-based violence. 20% of Womankind’s clients are above the age of 50; the LIL program works to ensure that their needs are represented both internally (through our services and staff) and externally (through our advocacy efforts).

This position will support our outreach efforts to the Chinese population in Queens or Manhattan (depending on the volunteer’s preference), and will help with facilitating workshops and groups. There are two phases to this position. The first phase will require the volunteer to assist staff in reaching out to places that older Chinese adults frequent in an effort to establish a partnership. The second phase will initiate once the partnership is established. The volunteer will begin to conduct workshops and groups in the site.

The larger goal of this position is twofold: first, to create awareness around abuse in later life and connect survivors with services; second, to foster an active aging lifestyle among older adults through the workshops and groups.

Supervisor: Miyoung Kim, MS, MA, L-CAT, R-DMT, Expressive Therapies Ph.D. student/
Later in Life Advocate

Location:

This position will be based in either Queens or Manhattan, and will require traveling between the Womankind community office and a partnered organization (possibly senior center, adult day care center, etc.)

Key Responsibilities:

• Visit locations in Queens/ Manhattan (around Womankind’s community office) that Chinese older adults frequent: senior centers, adult day care centers, etc.
• Build a partnership with at least one possible site for us to conduct workshops and groups
• Conduct workshops around abuse in later life at sites at least once a month
• Facilitate support groups at sites on a weekly basis (this can be art groups, dance groups, etc. - depends on the comfort level of the volunteer)

Expected Time Commitment: May 2018 (or as soon as possible) through April 2019

Schedule: Two weekdays per week, 4 hours per day (minimum).

In the beginning, the volunteer will use the two days to visit possible sites and go through trainings for this position. After establishing partnerships, the two days will revolve around facilitating groups/ workshops and supervision. Hours will be flexible during the two days depending on the partnerships established (most likely will be in the earlier part of the day).

Qualifications:

• Must be proficient in Mandarin and/or Cantonese.
• Should have a strong interest in working with older adults.
• No prior experience with conducting workshops or facilitating groups required - trainings will be provided.
• An interest in wellness activities/therapy strongly preferred.

Orientation and Training Requirements:

Volunteer will receive ongoing supervision and training as needed throughout this position. In the first couple of months, the volunteer will receive these trainings before we execute the workshops and groups:

• Abuse in Later Life Training (which will cover the types of abuse that occur in later life, ageism, and active aging)
• How to conduct presentations training
• Facilitating groups training
• Any other Womankind trainings will be made available (and optional) for the volunteer

Support/Continuing Education:

Individual supervision will be provided on a weekly basis for at least an hour.

Supervisor will guide the volunteer in reaching out to places and building professional relationships. Supervisor will also assist the volunteer in conducting workshops and facilitating wellness groups.

Volunteer will also receive support from the Later in Life Program Manager as needed. Volunteer will participate in a monthly Later in Life team meeting.

Benefits:

• Professional mentorship
• Supervision credits if volunteer is a LCAT candidate
• Gain experience with conducting workshops and public speaking
• Learn to create and facilitate wellness groups
• Opportunities for advancement within Womankind
• Opportunities for growth as volunteer will be equipped with tools to work with gender-based violence survivors
• Opportunities to teach specific skills if volunteer is passionate about certain creative activities (knitting, yoga, craft, dance, cooking, etc.)

Selection process: Submit a resume and cover letter to the Later in Life Program Manager, Kayla Chan ( kchan@iamwk.org) with the email title "Later in Life Volunteer". Selected candidates will be contacted for an initial phone interview with the Later in Life Program Manager. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.