As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we recognize the people whose cultures, experiences and perspectives help make our work stronger. The work begins long before the first word is translated. It begins with people who share a commitment to serving others and ensuring Hispanic communities can access critical information when they need it most.

Hailing from across Latin America, our team includes linguists, project managers, technology professionals and volunteers who bring diverse perspectives and expertise to every project. That diversity is our strength. It shapes how we listen, the questions we ask and the solutions we create. Every project reminds us that language access is ultimately about people: helping families prepare for disasters, understand lifesaving instructions and find support when they need it most.

Historically, Spanish-language content was not always produced at the same scale as English-language content due to resource constraints and competing priorities. Today, stronger processes and greater alignment are helping ensure multilingual content reaches audiences more consistently and in a more timely manner.

Our team is helping change that.

Together, we have transformed how multilingual communication happens across the American Red Cross. Translation requests that once relied on disconnected processes are now coordinated through the centralized Translator Hub. Shared terminology, style guides and translation resources help ensure clear, consistent content while respecting the communities we serve. 

Today, we have better tools, stronger partnerships and greater support than ever before. That progress reflects years of advocacy by people who believe that language should never be a barrier to receiving essential information.

From January to August 2026, the team has processed more than 2.3 million words and 984 translation requests producing over 1,000 translated texts. This work has delivered multilingual content across numerous programs and services, from blood drives and extreme heat preparedness to Emergency app updates and wildfire financial assistance. 

Our work happens behind the scenes, but its impact reaches far beyond our desks, reaching people we may never meet. Families can prepare for emergencies with greater confidence. Communities can access health and safety guidance in a language they understand. People can engage with the Red Cross knowing they are seen, respected and included.

Language access is more than translation. It is about dignity, inclusion and belonging. When people understand, they are empowered to act. That is the power of inclusive communication, and it is what drives our team daily.

We arrived here by different paths, bringing different experiences and perspectives. What unites us is the shared belief that language should never stand between people and the knowledge they need to stay safe, informed and connected. As we look ahead, we encourage everyone to consider language access from the start. Ensuring people can access critical information starts long before translation.