October 8, 2018

Carmen M. Chavez, Esq – Executive Director, Casa Cornelia Law Center

In 2017 alone, Casa Cornelia served over 2,440 children, women, and men with pro bono legal assistance in over 50 languages from around the world.

Quality representation begins by hearing the client’s story in their own words–in their own language. This is where Volunteer Interpreters and Translators (VITs) make Casa Cornelia’s mission a reality: by making the client-attorney communication possible. It is because of generous individuals willing to share their language skills that Casa Cornelia can help those who come to the Center for help. During the recent Family Separation Crisis, Casa Cornelia’s VIT network was reliable and focused: “In six weeks alone, we worked with VITs who spoke less diffused indigenous languages from Central America and Southern Mexico, including Kanjobal and Mixteco. In addition, we saw an increased demand of languages from Somalia, Russia, and Yemen.” said Artemisa Valle, who leads the VIT program.

VITs go through comprehensive training that consists of ethical and technical elements to set up the clients (and our volunteers) for success. Artemisa stresses the importance of VITs commitment: “Our VITs are expected to be independent. We do not have the resources to hold their hand, but we train them and share the emotional competence needed to bridge the language gap between the attorney and the client. Especially since often, our clients suffer from fear and trauma.”