Empowering Bilingual Youth

Every year, our students learn the essential skills to be both interpreters and community advocates. LIPS recognizes that our community needs to engage the voices of all of its members, especially those who are new to the English language which causes them to be frequently left out of the conversations. The main goal of LIPS is to provide a bridge between the languages and allow access to understanding what is happening within our community, as well as to offer the students a way to not only serve their community but also use their skills to their financial benefit.

Class Schedule

  • Classes meet once a week on Thursdays from 4:30pm to 6:30pm.
  • LIPS runs from October to April. Enrollment is only in the Fall.

Contact us at [email protected] with questions.

Requirements and Benefits

  • Students must be bilingual in English and another language at time of enrollment. 
  • Students are compensated for their time in class, with first-year students receiving $15.50 per hour. Students who continue will receive an extra $1 per hour for each additional year.
  • Additional opportunities exist for LIPS students to receive compensation for interpretive services around their communities.

Our LIPS Participants

Youth with Immigrant backgrounds traditionally wrestle between the culture of their home country and that of a new country. Still, despite the obvious barriers, immigrant youth play imperative roles for their family and in the community as interpreters and translators, mediators and leaders across all industries. LIPS is our cornerstone program that provides a unique paid opportunity for bilingual high school students.

The students will learn sought-after interpreter/translator skills and apply them at various events throughout the city through community organizing and advocacy using tactics from professional interpreters and community organizers within our city.

Requesting Interpretation or Translation Services

Use the form below to request interpretation and translation services from LIPS students! We will be in touch about your needs and our ability to help. Please contact us 1-2 weeks in advance of your event if possible to allow us to find available students.

Our fees are as follows: $40/hour for simultaneous interpretation, $30/hour for consecutive interpretation or generally helping at an event, and $0.15 per word for translation with an 100-word minimum.

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