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AN INCREDIBLE LANGUAGE ACCESS WEEK
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Hi Reader
Language Access Week, held June 10-14, was an incredible experience. Together, with our supporters, other organizations and our incredible sponsors, we:
- Presented in front of City Council and got June 10-14 proclaimed Language Access Week. (To watch the video of our Executive Director, Leah Whitney Chavez, speaking in front of the City Council, click on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zhw_sHKx1pU
- Got together with many of our friends & supporters with Kathmandu Station at No More Empty Pots for a Momo Making Class, where participants got to experience interpretation in action while making delicious momos (steamed filled dumplings)!
- Heard from many different organizations around our area on how they use language access in their programming. Click the organization names to learn how the Nebraska Writers Collective, the Omaha Municipal Land Bank, the Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative and Comunidad Maya Pixan Ixim use language access in their work!
- We reached over 10,000 people with our Language Access Awareness social media campaign
- Raised an incredible $2,249.25 for World Speaks from our incredible donors, and thanks to our generous sponsors, Valmont Industries, The Omaha Community Foundation, Cox and Kathmandu Station we double that with our dollar match, raising $4,249.25! We are so grateful for the support for Language Access in our Community!
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Thank you to everyone who joined us, supported us or learned with us during the inaugural Language Access Week! |
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We’ve moved our offices! World Speaks is now located at: 900 S 74th street Omaha NE 68114 Unit 106.
The office is all set up and ready for visitors and students!
Thanks so much to Zedeka of the Nebraska Writers Collective and her daughter for helping us move!
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WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST BOARD MEMBERS |
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We have two new board members we’d like to introduce you to - Anahí Salazar Angulo and Brian Torpy!
Anahí is currently the Policy Coordinator at Voices for Children in Nebraska. She is committed to making the state of Nebraska the best place for every child to grow up in and live fully healthy lives.
Here’s a little bit more about her: “Born in Sinaloa, Mexico and immigrating to Nebraska with her family when she was five, Anahí’s first contact with language diversity was stepping into her Omaha Public School classroom. That transition and her educational experience marked her path towards teaching in the dual language classrooms across a few states and then later to pursue her master's in educational policy. She believes in the impact of community collaboration and advocacy, at any age. Anahí lives with her baby boy, four-legged baby boy and husband in Native American Land, Umoⁿhoⁿ (Omaha).”
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Brian is a general counsel and business advisor with over 15 years of expertise in delivering legal and strategic consulting services to company founders, executives, and senior managers. He leverages his legal knowledge to guide businesses through complex regulatory landscapes and strategic challenges.
Here’s a little more about him: “An alumnus of Tufts University, Brian studied international relations and Spanish. This academic background underpins his nuanced understanding of global legal frameworks, enriching his practice with a broad, informed worldview. Raised in Omaha, Brian recently returned to his Nebraska roots, moving back with his wife after an impactful seven-year residence in Salamanca, Spain. This international experience broadened his cultural and professional horizons while also expanding his insights into global business practices and legal systems. His personal interest in community-building and exposure to overcoming language barriers led him to pursue this opportunity to serve on the World Speaks Board of Directors, where he hopes his legal and business perspective will complement the talented individuals that make up this innovative organization.”
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World Refugee Day
The World Speaks team participated in World Refugee Day on Saturday, June 22 at Omaha Central High School.
It was a great turnout! The World Speaks team enjoyed seeing all the beautiful cultural outfits, eating a delicious lunch sampling different dishes, and talking about our services with the community!
A shoutout to two our two board members Hannah and Anahi and staff members Leah and Arturo for helping!
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In the News
“The work we do is important because all members of our community do not have equal access to critical and vital information…Interpretation and translation remove these barriers. The educational resources we offer help individuals and organizations look internally to assess how they can better serve their clients and constituents who would benefit from equity with language access.”
Did you catch Language Access Week in the Midwest Business Journal? Author Brooke Strickland did an excellent job of highlighting Language Access, and the work World Speaks does. The article also spoke with local businesses that use language access tools, like the Omaha Land Bank, the Nebraska Writers Collective and the Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative. Read it here: https://www.mbj.com/featured/language-access-week-celebrating-multilingual-organizations/article_ac70f4fa-24bf-11ef-a5d0-33d4fc763923.html
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Want to join World Speaks in our work? There are several ways you can do so!
- Volunteer! We are always looking for native speakers interested in being in-class mentors. We’d love to have you join us this fall!
- Donate - Your donation at any time of year allows us to continue to offer free programming & services!
- Visit our store for unique World Speaks mugs, tote bags and more featuring our Mantra Wear!
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- Interpreter training (July 9-11)
- Early Enrollment for Fall Classes (August 30)
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Thanks for being a part of World Speaks!
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