One of the main services the Welcome Center in Austin offers to people that move to this area from other countries is helping them get their messages across. Cam Tu Le and Maria Acosta are the main interpreters at the Welcome Center. These two do not get a regular fee for their service of being interpreters, as the Welcome Center is a non-profit organization.

Acosta is of Mexican heritage having grown up in Texas, she explained that their job of being interpreters is considered to be a volunteer job and they cannot charge a set fee for their services, but donations to the Welcome Center are much appreciated.

"Cam and I spend most of our of our days being interpreters. Cam and I interpret in much the same style, even though I speak Spanish and she speaks Vietnamese. Our cultures are very different but we are alike in how we approach our jobs," said Acosta.

Acosta and Tu Le spend time with clients when they go for a medical appointment, buy a house, if they have been in a car accident or need to make a phone call. They go the extra mile for their clients and pick them up with their cars and take them to their appointments.

Tu le said, "Sometimes it is hard for us as we get calls when we go home at night that someone needs us."

An example of how the two help is when a client has to go to the dentist. At present very few dentists in Austin will take patients that are on Medical Assistance. The Main Street Dental in Blooming Prairie does and Acosta and Tu Le are often on the road driving clients to Blooming Prairie.

"I don’t think many of our clients realize we don’t get paid for being interpreters. We do a service for our clients and to the businesses we are dealing with. Don’t get me wrong we love our job, but we do need a small compensation," said Acosta.

Acosta and Tu Le say it is not easy being an interpreter.

They are dealing with people with so many different problems. This is difficult day after day for them as they take on some of their client’s issues.

Tu Le said, "We have to be very careful when we interpret and not put in our opinion. We repeat just what the client tells us."

The two are certified interpreters and went to school for three months in Rochester to be certified for their job. Acosta said the Mexicans she interprets for are very good about giving a donation for her services. Tu Le said the Vietnamese don’t understand she doesn’t get paid for interpreting.

Acosta has helped several realtors sell houses in town and recently was given a donation for helping sell a home. She was very happy for this, as she had to go to the house with clients several times before the sale went through. Acosta and Tu Le spend a lot of hours at QPP and the Austin Clinic.

Acosta said, "I am going to help people with every problem they have. Most of the people in town are very nice and appreciate the services we offer. We do like our jobs and enjoy coming to work each day."