Sewing Instructor

KKV is Hiring!  

KKV was founded by community leaders in 1972 in response to a lack of health services for Kalihi's low income, largely-immigrant Asian and Pacific Islander residents. Together we work to advance health, to inspire healing, to foster reconciliation, and to celebrate abundance in the ahupua'a of Kalihi through strong relationships that honor culture and place.

Understanding health as wellbeing in the broadest sense, KKV pioneers holistic approaches to addressing the needs and aspirations of its culturally-rich community. KKV's 200+ staff care for more than 15,000 Kalihi residents a year in over 20 different languages and dialects from nine locations.   

In 2014, Kokua Kalihi Valley began a process to develop a new framework of health that accommodates the full spectrum of strengths, challenges, desires, and needs of the community. Through careful and continual listening and engagement, a more universal view of health and wellness is emerging centered around what matters to indigenous and island people. This view, named Pilinahā, looks at four vital connections that people seek in their lives: To your best self, to others, to place, and to past and future.   

KKV is recognized nationally as a leader in Social Determinants Of Health (SDOH) programming with a 50 year history of implementing innovative programs, and annually hosts hundreds of visitors and students interested in studying KKV's community-and culturally-based approach.  

This year, KKV won first place in the Innovations Showcase Competition put on by the Social Determinants of Health Academy. We were recognized for our Hui Hoaka Covid response program. Framed by indigenous Hawaiian values, the program has coordinated staff and volunteers from across KKV and the community to provide a broad array of support for patients and their family members. The program has been highly successful because of its effort to provide deep listening and culturally safe communication; to provide access to resources such as food, supplies, lāʻaulapaʻau, and economic support; and to collect stories and data that will aid KKV in improving care integration and establishingbest practices for SDOH services.

POSITION OPENINGS:  One part time position open (19 hours a week)

JOB SUMMARY:

• Leads daily sewing classes, monitors daily attendance, and provides individual instruction and guidance to Seams Wonderful participants.
• Helps orient newcomers to the Seams Wonderful program.
• Provides instruction and demonstration of:
  • Basic stitching
  • Use of basic patterns for a variety of items including bags, backpacks, long dresses, skirts, shirts, et., and to be able to mend damaged clothing and other alterations.
• Teaches basic sewing machine use, basic sewing machine maintenance, and sewing safety.
• Help track sewing supply inventory including fabrics and sewing accessories, and products made by students.
• Provide interpretation services to each client in his or her native language when needed.
• Motivate and encourage students to complete students to complete projects and help students prepare for the showcasing and selling of Seams Wonderful products.
• Responsible for keeping the sewing room clean and safe.
• Develops culturally appropriate protocols and lessons plans.
• Promotes the development of English language skills by encouraging the sewing classes to be conducted in English.
• Gives participants feedback on their performance, including skills accomplished and skills needing further development.
• Prepares course materials and provides handouts as appropriate.
• Communicates information with enthusiasm, clarity, and patience.
• Ensures safe and appropriate use of all equipment.
• Evaluate each student’s progress and prepare monthly progress reports.
• Works well independently, works well with others, and takes initiative.
• Advises the supervisor on suggestions for program development and promptly reports any concerns.
• Participates in KKV Crop Shop Farmers Market on a weekly basis or any other events that promote the Seams Wonderful program.

Special consideration given to multicultural/multilingual candidates and those with a connection to the ahupuaʻa of Kalihi.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

Skills/Knowledge:

Medium level skills in sewing machine use, sewing, mending of clothing and use of patterns, required.

Advanced level skills in sewing machine use, sewing, use and creation of patterns, and design creation, preferred.

Ability to work with multi-cultural clients with a variety of sewing skill level, required.

Ability to work with multi-cultural staff, required.

Reliability and flexibility, required.

Ability to maintain confidentiality, required.

Positive interpersonal skills, required.

Excellent teaching skills, preferred.

Bilingual, preferred.

Education/Training:

High school graduate, preferred.

Possess clean criminal background check, required

Experience:

Experience in assisting or teaching small or large groups, preferred.

Other:

Lives in the Kalihi Valley area, preferred.

SCHEDULE: Up to 19 hours a week. Variable - Monday through Friday  in coordination with supervisor with consistent and predictable attendance.  

BENEFITS:  Lifestyle benefits in partnership with HR Symphony by Altres
   

 For any questions about this job ad please email [email protected]