Oakland's Growing Mayan Community
SJC's Interpreter and Paralegal Cristina Mendoza was interviewed by Tatiana Sanchez of The Mercury News' Bay Area News Group for an article about the growing Maya Mam-speaking community in Oakland and the broader Bay Area.
"I can hear people speak Mam in every corner," Mendoza told the reporter, highlighting the rapid growth of the indigenous Guatemalan community in the region.
The article explored how SJC has adapted its services to meet the needs of Mam-speaking clients, who often face unique challenges in the immigration system. Many Mam speakers also speak limited Spanish and no English, creating a triple language barrier in court proceedings.
SJC's investment in Mam-speaking staff has been critical to maintaining a high win rate for these clients. By communicating directly in Mam, SJC attorneys and paralegals can build trust, accurately capture clients' stories, and present stronger cases in court.
The article highlighted SJC as one of the few legal aid organizations in the country with the capacity to serve Mam-speaking clients directly.