COVID-19 Grants: Across Languages

COVID-19 Grants: Across Languages

Across Languages (AL) is a non-profit organization providing professional interpretation and translation services for refugees and newcomers in our community. Interpreters are trained for many different types of encounters and hold expertise in medical, legal and social services terminology, leveling the playing field and removing barriers to services for refugees and newcomers.

“Our goal is to ensure client resilience during challenging times and life transitions by preventing more complex problems through the empowerment and self-determination given by the ability to communicate,” says Anna Hendrikx, Executive Director of Across Languages. “We enable newcomers to advocate for themselves by giving them a voice.”

Across Languages had been exploring video and remote interpretation solutions before the pandemic with the intention to gradually roll out the updated program over the coming months. COVID-19 forced AL to rethink their timeline and move quickly to ensure their clients have access to AL’s vital services during this highly stressful and complicated time.

Thanks to a $20,000 grant from the LCF COVID-19 Response Fund, AL was able invest in technological capacity to ensure newcomers and refugees can access a trained professional interpreter during the pandemic.

“The grant greatly increases our ability to innovate in order to meet the emergent needs of our diverse community,” says Anna. “We’re so thankful for LCF and its partners’ for their quick response during this overwhelming crisis – we are blessed to work and live in a community that cares for all who have settled here.”

Interpreters are often the only link many families have to much of our community’s essential services.

“Even before COVID-19, it has been important for our community to recognize and value the work of accredited interpreters as front line professionals,” says Anna. “AL interpreters continued to work throughout the crisis delivering services 24/7, sometimes in person. Without their dedication, refugees and newcomers would not be able to settle and integrate successfully into our London community, let alone navigate a pandemic.”

While the grant allows AL to address their immediate technological needs, they still require continued financial support from the community. If you’d like to give to AL directly, please visit their website for more information on how to donate.

Across Languages interpreters and staff participating in Shine the Light.