New program seeks to bridge language gap for immigrants

Many people previously stymied by language difficulties are now able to get help for their families, thanks to the full launch of the Eastside Cultural Navigator Program.

July 3, 2008 9:27 pm

Many people previously stymied by language difficulties are now able to get help for their families, thanks to the full launch of the Eastside Cultural Navigator Program.

The program is designed for immigrants and refugees who may have difficulty accessing health or human services or who need assistance in learning the norms of everyday life, such as how to talk to a school teacher, apply for a job or how to take the Metro bus.

The program has been experimenting with its model for the last year but has now launched with a full contingent of “navigators” at the Bellevue Mini City Hall in the Crossroads Shopping Center and at Family Resource Center in Redmond.

East King County has a greater percentage of immigrants and refugees than the city of Seattle. It’s estimated that 31 percent of Bellevue residents speak a language other than English at home. That is true of over half of those tapping services at HealthPoint medical clinic on the Family Resource Center campus.

In response, the Eastside Refugee and Immigrant Coalition (ERIC) was formed to meet those growing needs. After a first effort, the printing in five languages of a resource directory called Helpful Connections, ERIC convened a group of interested agency leaders to work on a new strategy. From this group, the Eastside Cultural Navigator Program was launched.

Chinese Information and Service Center was selected to coordinate the program and funding was garnered from the Cities of Bellevue, Redmond and Kirkland as well as King County and United Way of King County.

Free, confidential services for those with limited English language skills are available as follows:

Bellevue Mini City Hall, Crossroads Bellevue shopping center, 15600 N.E. Eighth ST., 425-452-2800

• Spanish: Mondays 4-6 p.m., Wednesdays 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; additional hours by appointment.

• Russian: Thursdays 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Fridays noon-2:30 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; other days by appointment. ecnprussian@cisc-seattle.org

• Chinese: Fridays 2:30-6 p.m. (every other Friday; please call to confirm days).

• Korean: Fridays 10 a.m.-noon.

• Hindi, Bengali, Urdu: Mondays 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesdays 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

• Tagalog: Saturdays noon-1 p.m.

Mini City Hall staff have access to an interpreter on a dual receiver phone in more than 100 languages with Language Line services Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Family Resource Center, 16225 N.E. 87TH ST., Suite A5, Redmond

• Spanish: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; 425-289-8608; ecnpspanish@cisc-seattle.org.

• Chinese: Wednesdays 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; (425) 647-0913; ecnpchinese@cisc-seattle.org.

• Languages of India: Mondays 2-4 p.m., Tuesdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; (206) 838-8157; ecnpindian@cisc-seattle.org.

The program is coordinated by Chinese Information and Service Center. Program coordinator is Chor Phen Ng, 425-289-8607 or phenn@cisc-seattle.org.