Our Mission
Breaking barriers through language
The Immigration Translation Project is a Park City, Utah, based youth-led community initiative aimed at increasing language access for refugees, J1 workers, and immigrant families. We connect bilingual volunteers with individuals in need of translation, interpretation, and immigration support to help them navigate essential services and feel at home in their new communities.
How it Started
I moved to France with my family when I was very young, not knowing a single word of the language. For a while, until I was able to grasp a basic understanding of French, everyday tasks such as going to school, asking for directions, or understanding official forms felt overwhelming and isolating. I know firsthand just how scary it can be to arrive in a new country and struggle to communicate, and from discussions with classmates, I realized the importance of offering a translation service to the residents of Park City. Since moving to Park City in 2021, I have enrolled in the school’s Spanish Immersion Program, so I also speak fluent Spanish.
The experience of not knowing how to speak the local language inspired me to create the Immigration Translation Project. I wanted to use my language skills to make sure that refugees, J1 workers, immigrant families moving to Utah, and other members of my community without a solid grasp of English do not face barriers that will deny them their legal rights.
Our project is completely youth-led, and our objective is to connect bilingual volunteers with those families in need of translation and immigration support. This is a service that was missing in Park City until now. Be it school documents, translating resources, or just being a friendly guide, we want to make individuals and families feel welcome, informed, and confident in their new home. -- Alix Finkel