The Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation has partnered with Language Line Services to implemented a language access program allowing instant communication in more than 170 languages. Implemented in order to better serve the growing multi lingual community of the San Francisco Bay Area, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, about one-in-five California residents over age five speak English. The figure stands the same for Bay Area.

 

Language Line Services will be utilized to meet with families in their own language, assisting them to complete necessary paperwork, and for translation of correspondence and materials which will make services accessible to more patients and their families who might otherwise be unaware the foundation is working for this noble cause. In addition, Language Line Services’ interpreters are available 24 hours a day to assist Make-A-Wish staff in case of any medical or other emergency.

 

Language Line Services, the interpretation and translation provider for language solutions, serves clients in government, health care, telecom, financial services, insurance and many other industries at competitive rates by quickly connecting them to their customers, patients and sales prospects in over 170 spoken and American sign language. Language Line Services has clients throughout the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

 

The company provides over-the-phone interpretation, 24/7, in more than 140 languages. Inbound inquires, help desk, and order processing are some of the services available. Document translation is also available to facilitate communication with non-English-speaking communities.

 

Language Line Services has introduced the “Your World, Your Language” World Partner network to all local companies nationwide to help its customers connect to a growing number of limited English speaking customers across the globe. your world your language. The company is also launching Language Line Direct Connect, created to assist financial institutions, government agencies and other organizations communicate with limited-English customers impacted by the mortgage crisis, language line direct contact.

 

“A language barrier should never interfere with having a child’s wish fulfilled,” said Louis Provenzano, Language Line Services President and COO. “Ensuring access and quality delivery of healthcare, civic and community services, regardless of language, is central to everything we do at Language Line Services. We are proud to partner with Make-A-Wish in an effort that is at the heart of our own corporate mission.”

 

Patricia Wilson, Executive Director of the Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation noted that her staff already had a variety of languages covered, but has seen an increase in demand for interpretation assistance in foreign languages. He says that Language Line Services will support their ability to fulfill the wishes of Bay Area children because the service lies only a phone call away thus helping them to understand any medical limitations or concerns during the wish planning process.

 

Wilson added, “We wanted to ensure that everyone in our community is afforded the opportunity to benefit from the life-changing experiences offered by Make-A-Wish. Language Line Services leads the industry with the best trained talent in the country for medical interpretation,” said Wilson, adding that an emergency situation could require this specialized knowledge. “This partnership provides our staffers extra confidence and peace-of-mind to guide our clients through difficult times.”