Written by Ted Munat, New Leaf Program Director
If you visit Central Library on a weekday between 9am and 3pm, you’ll likely notice a ball of beaming energy behind the counter of The New Leaf Café. That’s Shana, New Leaf Café Manager and a key part of the library community.
Shana’s journey to becoming the New Leaf Café Manager is unique and inspiring.
On December 31, 2024, Shana was at a low point. She’d struggled with methamphetamine use for seventeen years and was feeling hopeless. Like so many of us who struggle with substance use, she wondered if she’d ever break free of the addiction. Fortunately, something that night finally broke. She had the simple but powerful realization that she didn’t want to waste one more day of her life living this way.
Amidst the festivities of a typical New Year’s Eve, Shana found herself literally calling out to Jesus for help. From this spontaneous act, a bridge formed that reconnected her to her faith. “My faith was what rescued me,” says Shana today.
Sobriety began for her the next day, and her strong spiritual connection has helped maintain it since. But it was not only this. Shana has leaned upon the unconditional love and support of her family as well. And of course, New Leaf helped!
Shortly after her sobriety began, Shana started going to the YMCA gym as part of her wellness regimen. During one early visit, a fellow patron invited her to get a coffee at the coffee shop at the Y. That coffee shop was New Leaf’s YWCA location.
Upon entering, Shana saw a small note on the menu board that read, “Ask about our training program!” Intrigued, she asked Lorena, the cafe manager. Lorena responded by saying, “Our Program Director Ted is sitting right over there! He can tell you all about it.”
Shana and Ted sat down together, talked about the program and Shana’s life, and got her enrolled right then and there. Two days later, she began barista training. It was at that point that New Leaf became an integral part of Shana’s new life.
“New Leaf made me understand that I had a supportive community beyond faith and family. I felt encouraged, empowered, and welcomed. I felt like I had a team behind me who were willing to fight for me. And as much responsibility as I was comfortable taking on, Lorena let me do that. She trusted me. It was so powerful to be trusted. I felt like I was safe to make mistakes, be messy, be overly excited, and share my growth. I found myself surrounded by loving people who seemed to say, ‘I don’t care what mistakes you’ve made in the past. You’re valuable today.’”
At the beginning of her training, Shana worked with New Leaf staff to create a Career Path Plan. When asked what she wanted to do for a career, she enthusiastically proclaimed, “I want to do what you guys do!” When she completed the training program, she started tenaciously applying for jobs with an emphasis on positions in the “giving back field.” She passed on some that didn’t feel like the right fit (again employing that trust in herself).
When the Library Café Manager job at New Leaf came open, Shana spotted it like a hawk! She’d been checking the Transitions web site daily for any openings. She applied, met with Ted, and it was clear right away that it was a fit. She started the following week.
Shana has quickly come to love being part of the New Leaf and library community. “Everyone at the library has welcomed me with open arms. I feel safe and watched-out-for. And I feel like serving the patrons of the library is helping to reach an otherwise marginalized part of the population. With a penny cup of coffee and a smile I can change the trajectory of someone’s day, and help them feel like they matter and are seen. There are aspects that are difficult, but in such a rewarding way. I feel in my element. What I get to do every day strengthens my recovery and helps keep in perspective how far I’ve come and what I’m fighting for. I look forward to continuing to encourage people in the community who feel like they don’t have anyone fighting for them. Not just the people enrolled in the program, but all the patrons of the library.”
Shana feels fortunate every day to be a part of New Leaf and Transitions. The feeling is entirely mutual. We look forward to growing together in the coming years.
A brief Q & A with Shana
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
“I wanted to be a nurse or a teacher, because both careers involve helping people.”
Now that you’re an adult, what do you hope to do in the future?
“I still carry that same passion to help people!”
What’s your favorite spot in Spokane?
“Anywhere on the river, especially when I’m floating on it!”
What are three things you love about yourself?
“I’m unapologetically joyful. I’m kind. And I love my mom.”
New Leaf fosters the skills and confidence needed to achieve individualized self-sufficiency in adults and youth with barriers to traditional employment. This is accomplished through operating Barista Job Training Programs at New Leaf Cafés and by providing individualized Vocational Services.
New Leaf is also a great spot to get a tasty beverage and snack!
