Town of Winona Lake Begins Collaboration with Language Matters

On February 17th, the town council of Winona Lake voted unanimously to engage with Language Matters in a town-wide language-access initiative.

The endeavor pivots on an LM Navigation Center, through which Winona Lake residents can receive immediate Spanish and English interpretation; center representatives can also assist residents in navigating departments and community resources. 

Before its launch, town departments will receive training on navigation-center procedures, and center-representatives will be trained on department procedures. Once established, the center will be in operation for the duration of 2026. The town will also receive a variety of outreach services, including the distribution of navigation-center cards and 26 online-English courses available for community members.

CEO Lucas Fonseca speaks to the Winona Lake Town Council

The success of another city’s navigation center was the catalyst for this initiative: the City of Warsaw, whose call center has been in operation for three years. The center has become a vital extension of city services, increasing safety and efficiency call-by-call. Through it, non-English-speaking residents and city departments communicate to establish essential services, address concerns, and make inquiries.

It was the support of the City of Warsaw and the generosity of the Kosciusko County Community Foundation, who supplied funding through a ‘Community Funds’ grant, that made this initiative possible. In the summer of 2025, the City of Warsaw applied for the funds to expand the impact of the navigation center to surrounding areas, and was awarded funding. 

To read portions of Mayor Grose’s letter to the Board of Works, access the News Now article concerning the grant application at the link below: https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/city-seeks-to-help-language-matters-translation-service-expand/