Multicultural Information Exchange MIX

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - It's a lesser known service of the American Red Cross of Northeast Indiana. This holiday season, the MIX program of the local Red Cross celebrates its eighth year of providing translations and interpretations in over 45 language groups assimilating to the Fort Wayne area.

Created in 2001, the MIX program is an extension of the American Red Cross mission to help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. In fiscal year 2009 alone (June, 2008-June, 2009), the MIX program served 933 unduplicated clients with 1,281 translations (including birth certificates, licenses, diplomas, and ID cards), 1,575 interpretations (including applications, phone calls, and general appointment scheduling), and 1,026 referrals (for social services in Allen County). In addition, the MIX program provides international tracing services for relatives separated by war, disaster or conflict around the globe and local cultural competency workshops to educate community organizations and businesses on how to communicate effectively with limited English speakers, as well as how to increase awareness of local cultural groups.

More than 80% of MIX clients have a household salary of $30,000 or less and at least 77% fall within the poverty to low-income household salary range. Of the 45 language groups represented in the MIX program, the most common include Spanish, French, Burmese, Mon, Bosnian, Italian, and Vietnamese.

The MIX program of the American Red Cross of Northeast Indiana celebrates all cultures this holiday season. For more information on the MIX program or how you can volunteer your foreign language skills, please contact the MIX office at (260) 484-9336 ext. 242 or visit www.redcrossofnei.org.

Story provided by the American Red Cross.