Building Skills Partnership at the CMLS Convening
Leahkim Luansing and Jonathan Escalante at California Multi-Lingual Strategy (CMLS)
June 2025 — Building Skills Partnership (BSP) proudly participated in the California Multi-Lingual Strategy (CMLS) Convening, hosted by the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) and Alliance for a Better Community (ABC). Held in Los Angeles, the convening brought together community-based organizations, public health leaders, and advocates from across the state to develop strategies for improving language access and advancing equity for immigrant and refugee communities.
Representing BSP were Leahkim Luansing, Community Advancement Program Coordinator for Airports and New Divisions, and Jonathan Escalante, Health Educator and Coordinator. Their presence reinforced BSP’s deep commitment to building systems of support that reflect the needs and lived experiences of California’s diverse working families.
Why Language Access Matters
Language access is a critical equity issue, especially for low-wage immigrant workers who often face systemic barriers to healthcare, education, and career advancement due to limited English proficiency. The CMLS Convening emphasized the urgent need for linguistically and culturally responsive services across all sectors—from healthcare to housing to education.
How BSP Programs Address These Gaps
At BSP, language access and cultural responsiveness are at the core of our mission. We deliver programs across California that directly align with the CMLS strategy:
Leahkim Luansing and Jonathan Escalante with Jennifer Cano, Senior Manager Policy and Advocacy, Alliance for a Better Community
Workforce Development: BSP’s Green Janitor Education Program and digital literacy classes offer training in multiple languages, ensuring workers can upskill and grow professionally, regardless of English proficiency.
Health Equity: Through our Promotores de Salud program and health workshops, BSP empowers workers with tools to understand, access, and advocate for their health in their preferred language.
Community Advancement: From family engagement initiatives to tenant rights workshops, our programs provide culturally relevant, multilingual information that equips families to navigate vital systems.
ESL and Citizenship Preparation: Our accessible ESL classes and citizenship prep courses help immigrant workers and their families build language confidence and engage more fully in civic life.
A Shared Vision for a More Equitable California
The CMLS Convening was a powerful reminder that advancing language justice requires cross-sector collaboration. We are proud to stand alongside organizations like APIAHF, ABC, and dozens of other advocates working toward a California where no one is excluded from opportunity because of the language they speak.
BSP remains committed to being part of this statewide movement—lifting up worker voices, breaking down language barriers, and ensuring immigrant families can thrive.