DANCE

Found in Translation Presents “Party Around the World”
~ Nonprofit’s first fundraiser highlighted by three high-energy dance performances~

On Friday, November 16, Found in Translation, a Medford-based nonprofit, presents its first annual fundraiser – “Party Around the World” at the Microsoft NERD Center in Cambridge. The event features live dance performances by the award-winning Fuego del Corazon Latin Dance Team, the MIT Chinese Lion Dance Team, and PATU (Presenting Africa to You) Dance Troupe. Guests will be treated to foods from around the world – sushi, Caribbean cuisine, Middle Eastern delights, and much more. The event offers a cash bar and silent auction with items like a stay at a luxury cabana in Belize, or closer to home, a night at Boston’s posh Liberty Hotel.

Tracy Boehme of Cambridge, Jay Dobek of Natick, and Renee Cammarata Hamilton of Watertown will be the first annual recipients of the organization’s “Cultural Catalyst Award,” given to individuals who have “ignited change, tipping the scales of opportunity across gender and ethnicity, and created a culture of diversity, inclusivity, and hope.”

Found in Translation was created by Executive Director, Maria Vertkin in 2011 with a simple idea: help bilingual, homeless women get jobs through the use of their language skills. To that end, she developed a program where women are trained as medical interpreters and then assisted in getting jobs in that field. Found in Translation is offered at no charge, and includes practical supports like onsite childcare and transportation assistance, that make it possible for bright, driven bilingual women with few resources to achieve new professional and economic heights. Last year, Found in Translation graduated its first class of 21 students – now certified medical interpreters!
“The potential for women in medical interpreting is tremendous. Our program participants are looking at a 500% income increase. That not only helps these women and their families, it helps fill a need in the hospital workforce and improves the quality of healthcare for non-English speakers,” said Maria, who has worked as an interpreter for years.

All proceeds from “Party Around the World” support Found in Translation’s medical interpreter program. Tickets are $55, general admission and $25 for students/”starving artists” and include food and entertainment. Visit www.found-in-translation.org for more information.