Ladon Language Team

At least 23.5 million people in the United States have limited English proficiency. How do they maneuver life in a country where English speakers are the majority and are mostly monolingual? Look for a family member to help; however, this is time-consuming and it’s awkward to call the same person or a group of family members over and over again. Possibly call a language agency too. However, as there are multiple professionals in the agency, it adds up to the cost so the service is extremely expensive. That’s why Ladon comes in handy! Along with Ladon, there are a multitude of ways to overcome language barriers that can make adaptation to a new environment easier. As well, the possibility of using services in English can now be of access without the headache. Being able to use services in English makes adaptation to a new environment easier. So, what are some ways to overcome language barriers?  Here are 5 ways to overcome language barriers: Use visual methods of commu...

Photo courtesy: HIAS “No one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark.” - Warsan Shire, Teaching My Mother How to Give Birth Being a refugee is perhaps one of the hardest things anyone can go through. Being a woman and a refugee is worse. Like all spheres of life, every step comes with an additional burden for women - be it finding emotional, physical or financial security. And security, my friend, is the most important thing when you have left your motherland in search of a safe haven. In Part 1 of this series, “In Search of a Safe Haven” , we brought to you the struggles of LGBTI refugees while seeking asylum in foreign nations. In this second part, we would like to draw your focus to the plight of women refugees who brave evils of their birth land to set out on a journey that is fraught with uncertainty and dangers at every step. Many of them come from conservative societies where they were never allowed to venture outside the bounds...

Photo Courtesy: JFCS "In all cases, I wish we could have done more for these LGBTI refugees, you know... how can we help this person survive, how can we help them get on their feet, become independent and self-sufficient?" - Wade’s voice sank low Last week, in this blog post , we spoke about the importance of language support and clear communication for the immigrant diaspora in the United States. This week, as we approach World Refugee Day, we decide to look into the struggles faced by different marginalized refugee groups. In our quest to learn the insider's perspectives, we talked to our partner organizations who are serving these groups. We come across startling stories of people who were running away not only from politically unstable countries but also from their own families who refused to accept their identity. As an LGBTI Refugee Services Coordinator at the Jewish Family and Community Services East Bay (JFCS East Bay), Wade is one of the few...