Language That Reaches the Heart

Two of the most powerful words in any language – thank you – were spoken to 92 Language  Bank volunteers honored at the 19th Annual Language Bank Recognition Ceremony held in the Ceremonial Room on February 4.

These volunteers are among 250 NYCHA employees who collectively speak 39 languages, making NYCHA’s Language Bank one of the largest in the City. Last year, Language Bank staff and volunteers responded to 8,400 requests for interpretation services.

“Don’t underestimate the impact you make,” Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye told the volunteers, who may provide their services on short notice, and always in addition to their regular job responsibilities. “By enabling access to the opportunity NYCHA offers, you help people in a very real way.”

“The Language Bank ensures that every resident and applicant is provided equal access to NYCHA’s services and programs, regardless of the language they speak, read or write,” said Deputy Chief Communications Officer Yvette Andino, NYCHA’s Language Access Coordinator.

Ahmad Ekhtear, Housing Assistant in the Bronx Applications and Tenancy Administration Department, wrote a poem for the occasion. “One of the greatest successes our applicants can have is getting their own apartment, and I am glad to sometimes help,” said Mr. Ekhtear, who speaks Bengali and Hindi.

Housing Assistant Lioudmila Filina, in the Customer Contact Center, mentioned the assistance she provides in Russian to Section 8 applicants and tenants who have difficulty understanding application forms. “I like to help people who came from the same country as me. Many of the elderly ones did not have a chance to learn English like I did,” she said.

“As a Social Worker, I always want to help people, so I use my Spanish on the job to help residents read important mail, like from Medicaid, in addition to translating at Tenant Association meetings through the Language Bank,” said Eneida Rios, in Family Services.

“If we don’t volunteer, NYCHA would have to hire more language services staff, which is costly,” volunteer Moshin Zaman, Property Manager at Taft Houses, who speaks Bengali, pointed out.

The Department of Communications’ LanguageServices Unit (LSU), which oversees the Language Bank, has six professional interpreters, who also were thanked for their service. Spanish interpreter Estefania Vaz Ferreira reported that, “It’s satisfying when you manage to build an understanding between people and when you see good come from that, it makes the day worthwhile.”

To request language services assistance or inquire about becoming a volunteer, call the LSU hotline at 212-306-4443.