Heritage Language Classes
Manzanita House’s Language Program holds classes for Heritage Speakers on a quarterly basis at the Northeast Community Center.
Current enrollment is for Spring 2023.
This program aims to foster connections in the immigrant community of Spokane while educating the youth in their heritage language.
Interested in volunteering?
Women’s TeaTime
In addition to language classes, Manzanita House is thrilled to offer a space for mother’s and women from the Arab and Afghan communities to be together. Created as an optional space for women while their children were in language classes, this program has grown into a family of women supporting each other throughout their life stages.
Languages Offered
In response to requests and conversations with the Arabic speaking immigrant community, MH created a summer 8-week pilot program in the Summer of 2022 for youth Arabic Language Classes. Addressing the expressed growing need for a space where the Arabic speaking immigrant communities can teach their first language to their children, something which was not available or offered anywhere in Spokane. This community included families from Iraq, Jordan, Sudan, Syria, and Egypt. The majority from these immigrant communities have been in Spokane for the past five years or more, and many are now US citizens. After years of establishing stability within their new lives and homes, families were wishing to ensure that their children continue to be able to speak, read, and write the parents’ first language of Arabic. Not only to continue with their cultural heritage, but also to be able to be able to communicate with family members, particularly intergenerationally.
After a successful summer pilot during which 35 children regularly attended classes biweekly, Manzanita House has answered the community’s request to continue the program with Arabic classes throughout the year.
Additionally Manzanita House is thrilled to now offer weekly Dari/Farsi language classes as well. We are thrilled to see the Language Program continue to grow and to answer the call from refugee and immigrant communities for language classes which are centered around embracing and celebrating culture.
Language Class Policies
Questions/Register Students: swalters@mhspokane.org
Ages: School age children from the ages of 6 to 18 years of age.
Location: Northeast Community Center - 4001 N Cook Street, Spokane WA 99207
Check In/Check Out: Parents are responsible for the transportation of their children! Children must be checked in and out of each session. Please fill out the check in/out portion of the registration form which states how your child will arrive and leave the location. Additionally, please note who has permission to check them in and out, or whether they are allowed to check themselves in/out.
Snacks: Snacks will be provided by the program; all snacks will be Halal. Parents can provide individual snacks should they wish, but they cannot be shared with other children.
Registration Forms: All registration forms are due before the start of the program. They can be mailed/delivered to Manzanita House at 806 W Knox, Suite 207, Spokane WA 99207 during the hours listed below, or emailed to the program coordinator at swalters@mhspokane.org.
Language Class Contact:
Samantha Walters
Program Coordinator
Email: swalters@mhspokane.org
or call the Manzanita House office at 509-309-8404
Document Drop Off
Manzanita House is open for document drop offs:
Monday 9:00am-11:00am
Wednesday 12:00pm-2:00pm
Thursday 4:00pm-6:00pm
Our office is located inside of Knox Presbyterian Church at 806 W Knox. The door to the building is locked. When you arrive, please call or text 509-309-8404 so we can let you into the building. If you come outside of the hours listed above, we will not be available to take your registration packet.
