The terms giving, supporting or donating often evoke daunting feelings in people, based on reading one too many emails in which they are asked to contribute $10 to this cause, or $50 to another. In today’s economic climate, these asks for recurring donations can seem especially haunting. However, the truth is that non-profits such as the IRC in Denver offer a myriad of ways to help them out apart from donating money: Time, knowledge, expertise, mentorship, and hands-on assistance are just a few of these other incredibly valuable resources. All it takes is a community connection and a little bit of creativity.

Henry Dotterer, founder of the non-profit ProZ Pro Bono, a free translation and interpretation service helping non-profits around the world reach their missions, perfectly exemplifies this more unconventional understanding of "giving". Andrew Morris, ProZ Pro Bono Coordinator explains how: 

ProZ Pro Bono believes in harnessing the language skills of translators and interpreters to make the world a better place. Our work with non-profits in a variety of sectors enables us to channel our efforts towards the most deserving clients." 

ProZ’s 64 clients range from local non-profits to global organizations such as the IRC, but their commitment to providing high-quality, personalized interpretation and translation services remains central to their work. This is why, Maha Amery, the IRC in Denver's Interpretation Services Coordinator reached out to ProZ Pro Bono in March of 2023. Maha says:

"We were working on several specific projects at this time, all needing translations for numerous pages and into multiple languages. A project of this scope would have cost us thousands of dollars - an amount we couldn't have come up with even for projects of this importance."

Mary Alice Kukowski, the IRC in Denver's Integration Casework Supervisor adds: 

“The IRC in Denver is endlessly grateful for the work of ProZ Pro Bono who stepped in and through their partnership enabled the translation of over one hundred pages of guides, forms, and documents for our clients in over 13 languages."

Proz

 ProZ Pro Bono allows clients to upload their texts to a central, purpose-built platform where they are then matched to one of the program's qualified translators. Once the texts are translated, they undergo a series of reviews before returning to the clients.

"In our work, high-quality translation and interpretation services are extremely critical By having resources in our clients' native languages, they are empowered and can be active participants in their resettlement journey.”

says Hanna Simmons, the IRC in Denver's acting Development Manager. 

"Not only does the work of ProZ Pro Bono allow non-profits like ours to more efficiently allocate their resources, it provides a vital service to our incoming refugee population. Whether it be filling out an application for Work Authorization or TPS, navigating public transportation resources, or even understanding a new lease, excellent interpretation and translation services allow refugees to not only actively navigate the world around them, but also to feel more welcomed and at ease in new environments." 

And Victoria Torres, the IRC in Denver's Communication and Development Intern adds: 

"ProZ Pro Bono's global volunteers act as a testament to the dynamic ways in which people can give back to their local and global communities. No matter what's one's forte - writing, printing, designing, cooking, hosting events, arranging flowers, or driving a truck - odds are your skills can be used to help those around you. With a little bit of creativity, and a deep sense of global citizenship, the possibilities to support each other are truly endless."

The IRC in Denver whole heartedly thanks ProZ Pro Bono, as well as their Coordinator Andrew Morris for all the support and excellent service they received.

If you or your organization have an out-of-the-box idea to support the IRC in Denver in their daily operations, please reach out to [email protected]

Article by: Victoria Torres - The IRC in Denver's Communications and Development Intern

Edited by: Hanna Simmons - The IRC in Denver's acting Development Manager