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Nonprofit
Volunteer Fiber Arts Mentor: Community & Wellness
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Description
The Mission At the Men’s Textile Collective Foundation (MTCF), we believe making things matters. We are a nonprofit dedicated to breaking the stigma around men in textile arts, using knitting, crochet, sewing, and quilting as tools for mental wellness and genuine connection. While our name highlights our focus on men, especially veterans and first responders, we are an inclusive community. We welcome all volunteers who believe in the power of creating with their hands.
The Role We are looking for reliable, grounded volunteers to help us facilitate our current programs and help us grow into new spaces. You don’t need to be an expert quilter or a master knitter to join us. If you are willing to learn and have a heart for community, we will teach you everything you need to know.
You’ll be on the ground at our partner locations, helping students and community members start their first projects, untangle a messy stitch, and feel the pride of making something from scratch.
Where & When We Meet
We currently have three active programs where we need your help:
- Hamilton Elementary: Fridays, 12:30 PM to 1:05 PM
- Tomball High School: Mondays, 2:40 PM to 4:20 PM
- Montrose Grace Place: Selected evenings, 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
What You’ll Be Doing
- Mentoring: Assisting participants, including students or adults, with basic textile skills like knitting, sewing, or crochet.
- Building Community: Creating a welcoming, non-judgmental environment where people feel safe to try something new.
- Learning & Sharing: Shadowing our experienced team to pick up new skills and then passing that knowledge on to others.
- Adventurous Outreach: For those with military backgrounds or a heart for service, helping us host new workshops at VAs and VFWs to support veteran wellness (If this is right up your alley, you are highly encouraged to contact us personally for future opportunities)
- Facilitating Growth: Helping us stand up new programs in areas we haven't reached yet.
Qualifications
- A Willingness to Learn: No prior textile experience is necessary. We provide all the supplies and training.
- Reliability: While there is no strict minimum commitment, showing up regularly is how we build trust and camaraderie with our participants.
- Heart for Service: An interest in mental health, creative wellness, or supporting youth and veterans.
- Background Check: Must be able to pass all required background checks for our individual programs. These are provided at no cost to you.
- Inclusivity: We welcome all volunteers regardless of gender identity.
Why Volunteer With MTCF?
You’ll be part of a movement that is changing the conversation around creativity and masculinity. You’ll see firsthand how a pair of knitting needles or a sewing machine can lower barriers and open up conversations that might not happen anywhere else.
Ready to start making? Reach out to us to learn more about our upcoming shadow opportunities.
Location
Greater Metropolitan North Houston
Please fill out this form
How to Apply
We are excited to meet you. To help us get to know you and find the best fit for your skills and interests, please follow these steps:
- Submit Your Application: Click the "Apply" button here on Idealist.
- Answer the Questions: Please take a moment to answer the 5 questions included in this listing. These help us understand your interest in our specific programs at Hamilton Elementary, Tomball High School, or Montrose Grace Place.
- Tell Your Story: In your brief message, let us know why our mission of creative mental wellness and breaking stigmas resonates with you.
- Next Steps: Once we receive your application, a member of the MTCF team will reach out to schedule a brief introductory call or a "shadow" session where you can see a program in action.
Note on Background Checks: Because we work directly with students and vulnerable communities, all volunteers must complete a background check. We will provide the necessary links and information for this after our initial conversation. There is no cost to you for this process.
No Experience? No Problem. If you are worried that you don't know how to knit or sew yet, please apply anyway. We value your heart for the community and your willingness to learn alongside us more than your current skill level.
