The Community Interpreting & Translating Assistance program or CITA has been moving along steadily since it began in March 2000. Currently, volunteers primarily interpret for Spanish-speakers who need language assistance at social service and mental health appointments. The Helen Farabee MHMR Center continues to be the organization that most frequently requests interpreting services. Although most requests are for Spanish-English interpreters, the program’s Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean-speaking volunteers are called upon fairly regularly to help speakers of their corresponding Asian languages.
Unfortunately, at this time our volunteer ranks have dwindled, and the same several volunteers are often filling all the requests CITA receives. We are so grateful to these volunteers for their gifts of time and talent, but we don’t want to tire them out too quickly. Thus, the CITA Committee is sending out a plea for volunteer interpreters: We need volunteer interpreters! If you or someone you know speaks a second language, please consider volunteering for the CITA program. Although this IMI program is small and serves a relatively small section of the community, this does not diminish its importance.
CITA fulfills the ADVOCACY portion of IMI’s mission statement by helping non-English speakers communicate with the English-speaking world around them. This is not to say that CITA promotes the use of any foreign language over English, but it is important to note that most CITA program clients have been in the U.S. for only a short time, may or may not be here legally, and are accustomed to functioning in cultures different than our own. Furthermore, learning a second language is difficult, especially for adults, and happens slowly, over an extended period of time. In other words, non-English speakers need some help communicating until they can master English and become comfortable in a new culture. This is where the CITA program tries to help out. If you would like to serve as an IMI advocate for the non-English speaking members of our community, please call 322-1365, ask for the Volunteer Coordinator, and sign up to be a CITA interpreter today.
CITA INTERPRETER/TRANSLATOR
Area of responsibility: Provide translating and/or interpreting services for CITA program clients according to CITA Program Guidelines.
Qualifications: Ability to speak, read and write fluently in English and speak, read and/or write fluently in at least one other language. Although interpreting/translating training or experience is not required, it is important for CITA volunteers to be comfortable communicating in both languages and switching between languages. CITA volunteers should be able to distance themselves, to a certain extent, from a client’s circumstances in order to concentrate on the task of interpreting and/or translating. At the same time, CITA volunteers should be courteous and helpful.
Time required: Variable per interpreting/translating assignment. No minimum hours are required. Volunteers are contacted on a “as needed” basis. Often volunteers are needed almost immediately or with very little notice.
CITA Training: Orientation and training workshops are offered on an “as needed” basis. All CITA volunteers are given an orientation packet that outlines program guidelines and basic interpreting practices. The CITA Coordinator can provide additional guidance and training as necessary. Also, arrangements can be made for a new volunteer to accompany a more experienced volunteer on an interpreting assignment.
