Working with community partners and service providers in the area

Community service providers play an important role in creating more access for LEP individuals to reach city services and resources. Employees and staff at these organizations serve as advocates for Baltimore residents by reducing barriers and guiding individuals and families through complex procedures.It is important to create and cultivate partnerships with immigrant service providers to build allies and champions that can help Baltimore City’s language access goals. Aim to engage with community service providers to help foster relationships and create connections with Baltimore residents which can offer mutual benefits for all parties involved. 

A full list of service providers working with LEP residents can be found MIMA’s Welcome Guide.

Three reasons why working with community partners is effective to letting residents know about our services:

  1. Service providers and organizations have a deep understanding about immigrant communities to better understand cultural norms within our City.
  2. These partnerships build trust in communities that are wary about government presence. They can help promote your agency’s offerings.
  3. Collaborating with community- based organizations and other stakeholders offers opportunities for feedback on how to improve your agency’s language assistance services.

Collaborating with Service Providers to Create a LEP-friendly Service

“The partnership with MOFCS has been a great opportunity for us to ensure that the Eviction Prevention Program is available to all residents of Baltimore. All too often we see our immigrant clients encounter barriers to accessing services and government supports, and this collaboration allowed us to break down many of those barriers.” 

 - Kate Jakuta, SECDC Family Stability Program Manager

Southeast Community Development Corporation (SECDC) is a nonprofit that serves residents in Southeast Baltimore. As an established organization, they offer housing counseling, eviction prevention, youth employment development and community revitalization services, and often serve as conveyors of state and local government opportunities for the community.

In 2021, SECDC partnered with the Mayor’s Office and Children and Family Success (MOCFS) to provide case management to Limited-English Proficient (LEP) residents applying to the City’s Eviction Prevention Program. SECDC helps Spanish speakers with the program’s application and required documentation. The partnership with SECDC has shaped the Eviction Prevention Program to meet the linguistic and cultural needs of immigrant applicants. For example, the application required proof of income, often requested as a pay stub. With feedback from partners like SECDC, the program developed alternative options to prove income for residents paid in cash. This minor change removed a significant barrier of entry, especially for immigrant residents who may lack traditional documentation.

When building programs or services, consider partnering with non-profit organizations serving immigrants like SECDC at the onset. They have a deep understanding of resident needs that can shape service and program development to be as resident-friendly as possible. Additionally, non-profit immigrant-serving organizations are trusted sources of information for LEP residents when promoting programs or services.

Please contact MIMA if you need assistance engaging immigrant non-profit organizations. For more information on how the City’s CAP centers were a part of ensuring language access for the Eviction Prevention Program.