Helping Victims of Recent Natural Disasters
In the aftermath of the earthquake in Mexico City, as well as hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, many ATA members want to do something. There are the usual donations to the Red Cross and Salvation Army, but there are also ways to fund more specific, and perhaps more personal, needs.
No assistance is too little or too late. The organizations below are seeking support for getting victims back on their feet by providing temporary shelter and ensuring that they are fed, clothed, and have medical care.
Hurricane Maria
• United for Puerto Rico
• UNICEF in Puerto Rico
• Hispanic Federation Unidos
Earthquake: Mexico
• Topos México
• Project Paz
• UNICEF in Mexico
• Go Fund Me
Hurricane: Harvey
• Rebuild Texas Fund
• Mayor’s Fund for Hurricane Harvey Relief
• UNICEF in Texas
Hurricane: Irma
• Feeding Florida
• UNICEF in Florida
All Disaster Relief
• Save the children
• Habitat for Humanity
• Direct Relief
• Oxfam
• Global Giving
• One America Appeal
Whenever you give, wherever you give, please check with Charity Navigator to be sure your money is going to a reputable organization.
Dear ATA representative:
First of all, thank you to your organization for helping out supporting Hurricane relief in the Caribbean. Much appreciated!
I am a certified interpreter and also manage a translation company based in Puerto Rico. In the wake of hurricanes Irma and Maria, I am interested in forming a pro-bono translation group that addresses the need for free or low-cost certified translations by the now dramatically increased number of citizens in Puerto Rico who lack the means to pay for regular translation services. Many islanders need these services all the more now since they are moving to the United States (according to one estimate, 500,000 Puerto Ricans are expected to emigrate to the island) and need to translate a range of documents (e.g., academic records, civil registry and probate court documents, etc.)
I would like to ask if there is a group at the ATA that has experience in trying to form low-cost or pro bono translation groups, or if such a group already exists that I and other translators and project managers could collaborate with. If there are no such groups, do you have any suggestions about how one might be formed?
(I have reached out and volunteered with Translators Without Borders (TWB) but they are more focused on work with NGOs rather than the general citizenry. I am also reaching out to Catholic Charities Written Translations and Tarjimly.ly to explore possibilities.)
I will appreciate any assistance or thoughts you may have on this project. I can be reached at fonttranslations@gmail.com or you can text or call me at 6178206332.
Cordially,
Joaquin Font
U.S. Court-Certified Interpreter