Metrics

Languages Access
Spanish (fluent), English (fluent), and Portuguese (conversational).

2021 Featured Presentation
Guest presentation with California Lutheran University on language access and bridge-building in a diverse/multicultural church.

Churchwide + Synod Contexts + Diverse/Multicultural Public Organizations
Work reflected in synod interpretation, translated guidance, location, and churchwide event materials.

Translation + Interpretation + Localization
Developed written translation resources from live interpretation and frames, both as essential access practices.

Participation & Inclusion
The presentation centers on language justice, stronger participation, expanded leadership, and sustainability in diverse/multicultural communities.

Overview

Language access has been one of the most consistent threads in my work across ministry, community engagement, and public-facing communication. I have supported interpretation, translation, location, and bilingual communication in settings where language can either become a barrier or a bridge. My approach treats language access not as an afterthought, but as part of inclusion, hospitality, and meaningful participation of all members of the community(es).

My Role

My work in this area spans both live interpretation and written translation. In my presentation Embrace Your Neighbor Through Language Access, I frame language access through themes such as language justice, participation, leadership, localization, and sustainability. The presentation also highlights practical guidance: Hire professional interpreters to translate documents, avoid requiring double-duty from staff, understand language demographics, and attend to the nuance of faith and church language.

Interpretation in Church & Public Settings

I support Spanish-English interpretation in different ELCA synods and churchwide settings, including interpretation for the Southwest California Synod Spring Conference Assembly and other multilingual gatherings. These materials also position my work as someone trusted to help congregations, churches, public/private institutions leaders, etc., communicate across cultures in real time.

Translation & Bilingual Resource Development

Written translation work examples include a Spanish translation of guidance for the Metropolitan Chicago Synod during the pandemic, a Spanish-language version of the ELCA World Hunger Leadership Gathering program, and editorial and translation work for the 2024 Hispanic Heritage Month devotional (Florida-Bahamas Synod). Together, these projects show that your language-access work includes not only spoken interpretation, but also careful adaptation of developed written materials for wider accessibility.

Why It Mattered?

This work matters because language access changes who can participate, who feels welcomed, and who can lead. This work explicitly links language access with strengthening participation, expanding leadership, and building more sustainable and diverse communities. That same commitment appears across my ministry, public materials, where I describe myself as a liaison and bridge-builder working across Latinx, Anglo, and multicultural communities through clear, practical, and technical and non-technical communication.

Key Contributions:

• Spanish-English interpretation

• Written translation and bilingual editing

• Language-access presentations and training

• Spanish-language program and worship materials

• Cross-cultural communication support

• Language justice and participation-focused practice