Volunteer Language Interpretation

09/13/2017

3 Major FEMA Recovery Help Centers open for Baytown, Texas, Katy, Texas, and Houston, Texas

AUSTIN, Texas – Three State of Texas/FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers will open Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, in the cities of Katy, Baytown and Houston.Disaster recovery centers offer in-person support to individuals and businesses in 39 counties included in the Texas federal disaster declaration for Hurri...

09/12/2017

Dear Harvey Relief Interpreter Volunteers:

You are receiving this email because you signed up via a Google form when a call for interpreter volunteers was made for the Houston area post-Harvey. We thank you for your willingness to volunteer during this time of need for this great city.

As Houston proceeds to clean-up and rebuild, the need for urgent interpretation is starting to dwindle but is still present. We are reaching out to you in order to give you an update and options for continuing to work on this Harvey Relief effort through interpretation.

Background: After an overwhelming response to the volunteer call--from individuals across the nation and from other countries (1000+ volunteers signed up--providing us with 47 different languages), Arturo Bobea, CEO & Founder at Ourkonnection.com, a language service provider, offered his experience and resources to move forward in an efficient way. He is part of the reason why we were initially able to move so fast--he enrolled Boostlingo (the interpretation software developer) so we could provide OPI service and efficiently book on-site assignments. After a midnight breakdown for a Swahili interpreter, LSA (Language Services Associates) and Translations R US LLC joined the effort---they promoted consistency and reliability in our interpreting services, while we faced the learning curve--resource placement, software training, and an understanding of supply-demand.

However, as Irma and other international catastrophes happened, OurKonnection, Boostlingo, and the other language service providers need to heed those calls. We are grateful for all of their help during Houston’s most urgent days and are hopeful in their ability to help those affected by Irma and future disasters.

Moving forward, we will continue to use this page to support local and official Houston shelters with volunteer interpreter relief until the end of December. The shelters will be given clear instructions on how to request interpreters through the Volunteer Language Interpretation page by posting about their needs. From there, all those who follow/like the Volunteer Language Interpretation page will be able to respond directly to the shelter's needs if and when they are available.

You can follow our Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/VolunteerInterpreterHarvey/

Because we obtained the contact information of more than 1,000 people for Harvey volunteer interpretation, we take very seriously informing you of the efforts and future plans.

If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

Thank you,

Ángeles Romero

We are a group of volunteer interpreters that are assisting victims of Hurricane Harvey in Houston and surrounding areas.

09/04/2017

Regrouping with creative, generous and relentless colleagues! Jessica Rodriguez Aisha Jara Calderon, Alejandro Montoya, La Luziris, Angeles Romero

09/03/2017

UPDATE

Great news! Everything is under control at the GRB Convention Center. What does this mean? Onsite assignments are not required with urgency anymore, and we are now able to manage with calls through the Boostlingo app, with the support of volunteers, Language Services Associates and Translations R US LLC.

We would like to thank all of the interpreters that singed up, showed up and made this happen. Nevertheless, this doesn't mean that the work is over. There are other shelters and centers that need our help. This long process is just getting started in Texas, and there are other areas heavily affected by Harvey. We're reaching out to the institutions that need us, especially those that need trained and experienced medical interpreters. If you know of any, please let us know.

Please keep login in whenever you have availability, a lot of you have been doing so, for which we are incredibly grateful and appreciate your continued support.

You are all incredible! Thank you!

09/03/2017

How do you interpret magic?

OMG! David Blaine performs in a make shift shelter at the NRG Center in Houston Texas for flood victims

09/02/2017

UPDATE

We have VERY exciting news!

Volunteers have been present and doing an amazing job at GRB. This morning, for example, we have Spanish, French and Vietnamese interpreters onsite!

"What about the other languages?" Glad you asked! We recently received the support of Language Services Associates, which will provide interpreters 24/7/365 for those hard to find languages and in emergency cases! This way we always have backup if we can't find any volunteers for a call. This is HUGE!

We need volunteer support now more than ever, as we are reaching out to shelters other than the GRB. Also, there is an ongoing issue with fuel shortage in the area, which will make things more difficult for onsite services to be provided. This means we will have to increasingly rely on the Boostlingo app and phone system.

All of this means that we're making sure we get the help where is needed. The people who need us will have our support. THANK YOU for being part of this! This can't happen without you!

09/02/2017

If you know of any shelters or centers that need interpreters, please let us know!

09/02/2017

Hello!

If you signed up as available onsite, you must be receiving notifications of open assignments in the George R. Brown Convention Center. Please accept only if you are in the area and are completely sure you can make it in. So far we've been doing great, let's keep it up!

As you know, we are part of an effort to support victims of Hurricane Harvey, especially those who do not speak English. They're the reason why we this group of amazing volunteers exist. However, our job may not be limited strictly to interpreting 100% of the time. Since it's a all-hands-on-deck situation sometimes there might be something that may come up while you're there:

- There are people looking for information. Most of them, not all, speak English. We just point in the right direction or, if you're available and willing, maybe es**rt them where they have to go.

- The Red Cross may ask for your help with someone that doesn't speak English, but sometimes it's not interpretation they require.

- You do get to interpret between parties, but it might not be in the setting you might be used to as a professional.

If at all possible, please help.

We appreciate all you do, thank you for taking the time and putting in the effort to bring relief to these families that have lost so much. You're in the area, so chances are people close to you need your help also, and you still offer time to volunteer to help others. From the bottom of our hearts: THANK YOU. You are the embodiment of why I love being an interpreter!

Arturo

09/01/2017

But first sign in.....

09/01/2017

American red Cross volunteer orientation.

09/01/2017

UPDATE

We are locating and adding Swahili interpreters thanks to Ismail Charania!

Thank you all for your support and sharing the post! I wish you could see all the support that volunteers and the community has been providing. It makes me proud of being an interpreter!

If we don't get back to you, please be patient and don't get discouraged, we need all the help we can get. Little by little we're getting more efficient, but it does take time and this is going to be a long process for the victims. The more we are, the better work distribution and the more effective we are.

More good news coming soon.

Thank you!