NYC Community Interpreter Bank

OVERVIEW

The NYC Community Interpreter Bank (CIB), led by the New York Immigration Coalition, is a city-funded initiative that aims to expand language access by recruiting, training, and dispatching interpreters to serve Limited English Proficient (LEP) New Yorkers. In partnership with the Language Justice Collaborative, Hostos Community College, and several community-based organizations and worker-owned cooperatives, the CIB builds pathways for bilingual New Yorkers to become certified community interpreters.

Through this initiative, interpreters will provide essential interpretation services to city-funded legal service providers, community navigation programs, and City Council offices, ensuring all New Yorkers can access critical services in their preferred language.

KEY PROGRAM COMPONENTS

    1. Interpreter Training & Certification

    In partnership with Hostos Community College and Cross-Cultural Communications, the CIB offers a comprehensive interpreter training program. Participants begin with a 48-hour Community Interpreter Training that covers essential skills including interpretation ethics, confidentiality, and cultural competency.

    After completing the core training, interpreters can enroll in one or both specialized 12-hour modules:

    • Medical/Health-Related Interpretation – Facilitated by Hostos Community College, this module prepares interpreters to support health-related services.
    • Legal Interpretation for Immigration Legal Services – Designed and led by the Immigrant ARC (I-ARC), this module equips interpreters with the knowledge to work in legal settings, particularly immigration law.

    Together, these tracks ensure that community interpreters are well-prepared to meet the diverse needs of NYC’s immigrant and LEP populations.

    2. Language Access Worker Co-Ops
    The NYC Community Interpreter Bank partners with a network of worker-owned language services cooperatives developed by:

    • African Communities Together (ACT)
    • Asian American Federation (AAF)
    • Masa
    • Haitian-Americans United for Progress (HAUP)

    These co-ops were created to build a sustainable pipeline of trained, professional interpreters in African, Asian, Haitian, and indigenous Latin American languages. Together, they strengthen language access citywide by providing community interpretation services and expanding economic opportunities for bilingual New Yorkers.

    3. Interpreter Dispatch System
    Trained interpreters are contracted as independent consultants and dispatched to fulfill interpretation requests from city-funded organizations. The Interpreter Bank aims to deliver at least 2,000 hours of compensated interpretation and document translation annually.

HOW TO APPLY/ HOW TO BECOME AN INTERPRETER

Interested in becoming a community interpreter? Follow these five simple steps to join the NYC Community Interpreter Bank and start supporting language justice across New York City:

Step 1: Complete an Interest Form
Submit an Interpreter Interest Form to tell us about your language skills, background, and availability.

Step 2: Attend an Info Session (Hosted by Hostos)
After submitting the form, you'll be invited to attend an information session hosted by Hostos Community College. This session will walk you through the training process, expectations, and next steps.

Step 3: Take a Language Proficiency Test
Following the info session, eligible applicants will be scheduled to take a language proficiency exam in English and Spanish, administered by Hostos.

Step 4: Complete the 48-Hour Training
Once you pass the exam, you’ll be enrolled in a 48-hour Community Interpreter Training at Hostos, covering:

  • Introduction to community interpreting
  • Interpretation ethics and confidentiality
  • Cultural competency and communication strategies

After completing the core training, interpreters can take a 12-hour specialization in either (or both):

  • Medical Interpretation – For health-related services
  • Legal Interpretation – Focused on immigration legal setting.

Step 5: Pass the Final Exam & Interview with NYIC
After completing the training, you must pass a final exam with a score of 70% or higher to receive certification. Then, you’ll interview with NYIC staff to discuss next steps, paid interpretation opportunities, and contract expectations.

ELIGIBILITY FOR 48H TRAINING PROGRAM

To apply for the Interpreter Bank, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Have proficiency in English and Spanish (more languages coming soon)
  • Hold a high school diploma or equivalent
  • Be able to commit to full attendance ( at least 90%) during training
  • Be comfortable using Zoom and digital tools for virtual learning
  • Commit to ethical standards of community interpretation

BENEFITS TO BEING AN INTERPRETER

Joining the NYC Community Interpreter Bank comes with real impact and real benefits:

  • Free Professional Training & Certificate of Completion

    • Receive high-quality interpreter training at no cost, including materials and exams.

  • Training Stipend

    • Earn up to $1,800 for completing the full training program, including the legal and medical specializations.

  • Paid Interpretation Opportunities

    • Get contracted for interpretation assignments with city-funded organizations.

  • Flexible Work Options

    • Interpret in-person or remotely in legal, healthcare, and community settings.

  • Support Your Community

    • Use your language skills to help fellow New Yorkers access services in their preferred language.

  • Career Development

    • Build professional skills and join a growing network of trained, certified interpreters.

HOW TO REQUEST A SERVICE

Are you a city-funded organization in need of interpretation support? The NYC Community Interpreter Bank connects you with trained, certified interpreters.

Step 1: Determine Eligibility
To qualify for services from the NYC Community Interpreter Bank, organizations must:

  • Be based in New York City
  • Receive City Council or other city funding
  • Provide services such as legal assistance, social services, case management, healthcare access, or public-facing events
  • Submit a detailed Interpreter Request Form before the service date

Step 2: Submit a Service Request
Complete the Interpreter Service Request Form with the following details:

  • Organization name and contact information
  • Type of service (legal, healthcare, navigation, event, etc.)
  • Language(s) needed
  • Date, time, and location of the service (in-person, virtual, or phone)

Step 3: Await Confirmation
Requests are reviewed promptly. Interpreters are assigned based on language, availability, and location. Once confirmed, you’ll receive an email with all the assignment details.

TRAINING

COHORT MODEL

The NYC Community Interpreter Bank uses a cohort-based training model, meaning selected interpreters move through the program as a group, attending the same info sessions, training classes, and group activities. This approach strengthens learning, accountability, and community.
How It Works:

  • Language-Based Cohorts: Each cohort is organized by language pairings (e.g., Spanish-English, Haitian Creole-English, French-English), allowing interpreters to train alongside others who work in the same language combination.
  • Seasonal Scheduling: Much like a college semester system, we aim to launch one cohort per season — Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer — offering multiple entry points throughout the year.
  • Shared Learning Experience: Cohort members participate in live sessions, role plays, and collaborative exercises, fostering strong peer networks and shared growth.

INTERPRETER DISPATCH SYSTEM

Trained interpreters are contracted as independent consultants and dispatched to fulfill interpretation requests from city-funded organizations. The Interpreter Bank aims to deliver at least 2,000 hours of compensated interpretation and document translation annually.

CONTACT