FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Language-access leader will donate a portion of revenues in April to Direct Relief, up to $1 million
MONTEREY, CA – April 7, 2020 – LanguageLine Solutions, the world’s largest provider of on-demand interpretation, is set to make a significant donation to Direct Relief, an organization that provides personal protective equipment (PPE) to health workers.
In a letter to clients, the company announced Monday that it would dedicate a portion of the revenues it earns from the healthcare sector in April to Direct Relief, up to $1 million.
LanguageLine handles more than 40 million interactions each year and has in excess of 28,000 clients. The company has partnerships in the fields of insurance, banking, communications, retail, hospitality and government, in addition to its many healthcare clients and first responders that are on the front lines of the coronavirus emergency.
“Because of our partnerships with healthcare providers large and small across North America, we are keenly aware of the dangerous conditions in which they are operating,” LanguageLine President and CEO Scott W. Klein said, “as well as the degree to which they lack the protective gear they desperately need.”
Now in its fourth decade, LanguageLine provides on-demand interpretation via audio and video in more than 240 languages. Meanwhile, Direct Relief was founded in 1948 by refugee war immigrants to the U.S.
“Their origin story and ours – along with their commitment to the healthcare industry – made us feel a bit like kindred spirits,” Klein said. “Both organizations have a strong desire to help every human, regardless of language, culture, or ability.”
Direct Relief coordinates with public-health authorities, nonprofits, and businesses in the U.S. and globally to provide personal protective equipment and essential medical items to health workers responding to coronavirus. In the U.S., Direct Relief is delivering protective masks, exam gloves, and isolation gowns to healthcare organizations that are battling the growing number of COVID-19 cases.
“Direct Relief is grateful to be receiving such a generous donation from LanguageLine Solutions, an organization that shares our commitment to helping citizens around the world in their moment of need,” said Tony Moran, Vice President of Communications at Direct Relief. “LanguageLine’s support will help us provide targeted and direct assistance to the healthcare heroes on the frontlines of the COVID-19 fight. We must ensure our brave health workers have what they need to safely respond during this global pandemic and save the lives of others.”
The healthcare community holds Direct Relief in high esteem, as evidenced by recent media coverage the organization has received in outlets like the New York Times, Today Show, and Washington Post.
Klein reported in an earlier letter to clients that LanguageLine remains fully operational in all aspects of its business thanks its longstanding work-at-home model that has its more than 11,000 interpreters distributed across the United States and wherever else in the world the most talented linguists reside.
“We view our clients as partners,” Klein said. “As with any good partnership, we cheer when they succeed and we hurt when they hurt. Partners help each other, and supporting Direct Relief is our way of helping those at the forefront of this COVID-19 crisis.”
About LanguageLine Solutions
LanguageLine Solutions has been the world leader in innovative language-access solutions since 1982. The company sets the global standard for phone, video, and onsite interpreting, as well as translation, localization, and testing and training for bilingual staff and interpreters. LanguageLine is trusted by more than 28,000 clients to enable communication with the limited English proficient, deaf, and hard-of-hearing communities. LanguageLine provides the industry’s fastest and most dependable access to more than 11,000 professional linguists in 240-plus languages. The company provides support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.