Crosswinds Counseling and Wellness has utilized a recent grant from the United Way of the Flint Hills to help purchase new resources aimed at reducing the language barrier between staff and community members.
With funding from the United Way’s United for Racial Equity program, Crosswinds recently purchased a pair of Timekettle WT2 Edge/W3 translator earbuds. The devices allow for the translation of more than 40 common languages in real-time with a 99 percent accuracy according to Crosswinds Development Director Lucas Moody.
Moody tells KVOE News the accuracy of the devices was a major drawing point for the agency.
Moody tells KVOE News the devices will primarily be used in “frontline” areas and less in traditional therapy settings.
The new earbuds are just the latest effort made by Crosswinds in recent years to help reduce barriers to non-English speaking residents following the opening of Centro Hispano de Crosswinds back in 2022. The Centro Hispano location at 230 Commercial Street employs an entirely Spanish-speaking staff including a clinician, case manager, peer support and customer service representatives.
The United Way United for Racial Equity grant program was developed “to promote community engagement and civic action” as ways to foster racial equity in several areas: early childhood and youth education, health and economic mobility.
