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Hi Reader,
First, we’d like to thank everyone who supported us during the giving season. Thank you so much for believing in our work and the dream of greater language access to our community.
In 2025, we learned that we need language access more than ever. Here’s what we’re looking forward to as we move into 2026 (our 10th anniversary year):
Our next Foundations of Community Interpreting Course, where multi-lingual members of our community can begin their journey to bridge language gaps by learning interpretation skills. Watch this space for more information on the upcoming training schedule.
The third annual Language Access Week will be held again this summer! Language Access Week is our annual celebration of Language Access across Nebraska. We’ll have some fun things to share soon.
Finally, our Community Language Courses kick off in 2026 with our Spring session. We’ll be opening up registration for newsletter subscribers on February 20th, so make sure to check your email on the 20th if you’re looking to learn a new language this year.
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We’re a Target Circle Participant – Vote for Us |
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Exciting news! World Speaks is part of Target Circle!
Target Circle is Target’s free loyalty program where members earn votes with their purchases and can direct those votes to local nonprofits. The votes help decide how Target donates funds to support community-focused organizations – just like World Speaks!
Voting is now open through the Target app and website. If you have the Target App, you can vote.
🎯Choose my Target
🎯Tap “Cast Votes”
🎯Find World Speaks and Vote!
Voting ends March 31, 2026 - every vote helps us continue expanding language access in our community.
Thank you in advance for your support!
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Let’s kick off the New Year with a little Language Access Learning reset – by defining Language Access.
What is Language Access? Put simply, language access is anything that helps make content accessible to all – including people of all ages, abilities, those with cognitive disabilities, low literacy skills, and those with limited English proficiency (LEP).
When individuals can access information, services, benefits and opportunities in their preferred language in all areas (education, health, legal, community) – that’s language access.
How can you help foster language access in our community? We’ll be sharing practical steps as we move throughout the year!
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10 years of World Speaks!
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When the World Speaks team got back to the office on January 5, we were able to do something really special – celebrate our Executive Director, Leah’s, 10-year anniversary with World Speaks AND 10 years of World Speaks!
World Speaks has grown so much in the last 10 years, and we’re so thankful to Leah for leading us through the last 10 years. We cannot wait to see what the next 10 years bring!
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When you include Language Access in your public meetings – amazing things happen!
The South Omaha Turnback Tax Grant Committee is committed to language access. The committee – which helps with a tax grant for small businesses - provided interpretation services through World Speaks at their public meetings.
In 2024, there were only a handful of applicants who needed interpreters, but in 2025, over 25 applicants needed interpretation help. Interpreters were at the formal meeting, but they also stayed afterwards to help applicants navigate forms and ask questions – ensuring that language is never a barrier to accessing funding.
When new and emerging small businesses can communicate clearly about their needs and understand the application process, everyone wins, strengthening the entire South Omaha community!
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Volunteering at Food Bank of the Heartland! |
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In early December, the World Speaks Team – along with some friends – volunteered at the Food Bank of the Heartland to help another nonprofit! We had a great day helping pack more than 4,000 meals for those in need. It was a great day of teamwork, helping others and making a difference! |
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Want to join World Speaks in our work? There are three 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 summer!
- Donate – Every donation – large or small – improves language access in our community.
- Visit our store for notebooks and mugs featuring Linx the Language Cat!
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- Early Enrollment for Spring Classes – February 20, 2026
- UNO Language Celebration - March 6th, 2026
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