On Saturday, March 8, 2025, the Downtown Denver Islamic Center (DDIC) successfully hosted a Language Justice Workshop for our volunteers, with generous support from the Food Bank of the Rockies. This workshop was designed to equip volunteers—especially those involved in food distribution—with basic Arabic phrases and cultural knowledge to improve their communication and connection with the immigrant and refugee communities we serve.
This initiative aimed to break language barriers and enhance the trust and rapport between volunteers and the families they serve.
The workshop had a strong turnout, with many of our regular volunteers—those who typically assist with food packaging and delivery—participating. Through interactive exercises and guided instruction, participants learned essential Arabic greetings and practical phrases such as:
- “Hello,” “What’s your name?” “Where are you from?”
- “I’ll be late,” “Do you need help?”
- Respecting personal space, patience in communication and key social norms.
At the conclusion of the session, many volunteers expressed that they now feel more comfortable engaging in basic Arabic communication with food recipients. Beyond language, volunteers gained a deeper appreciation for cultural nuances that impact their interactions, such as body language and communication styles, and appreciated the opportunity to engage more deeply with DDIC’s mission and the people we serve.
DDIC hopes to host additional training sessions and implement other resources to support language training and practice in the future.
We are deeply grateful to the Food Bank of the Rockies for supporting this initiative. This support has allowed us to take a meaningful step toward creating a more inclusive and accessible experience for the families we serve.