Global Lex is a multilingual, multidisciplinary center where local residents and our foreign-born population obtain information, access programs and services, meet to celebrate cultural events and visit our international art gallery. Global Lex is available to facilitate strategic partnerships in a wide variety of fields in order to meet both our city’s, and our growing international community’s needs.
The multicultural affairs coordinator is charged with assessing the service needs of Lexington’s limited English proficient individuals. The office provides the government with Title VI assistance, cross-cultural communication training and outreach to our international communities. It is also available to provide this assistance to the community at large on request.
COVID-19 vaccination fact for non-English speakers
COVID-19 information for non-English speakers
CDC Resources in Languages Other than English
Eviction prevention
Beginning Monday, Jan. 30, new rental assistance applications will be initiated automatically for tenants with an active eviction case in Fayette District Court or by referral from a partner agency serving vulnerable populations, such as domestic violence victims.
The program will no longer provide emergency utility assistance, and will begin referring residents in need of utility assistance to other programs, such as the federally funded Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program currently operating at Community Action Council.
In the next few days, the city will issue a Request for Proposals for Housing Stability Services to include new and expanded activities that increase access to legal counsel for tenants, provide housing navigation and/or intensive case management, mediation services in eviction court, and more. These services will expand the infrastructure in place to help tenants who fall behind on their rent while the program continues to provide rental assistance for those facing eviction cases in court.
These changes will not apply to applications submitted prior to Jan. 30 – any tenant with a pending application for assistance prior to this change will have their application processed under the previous program guidelines.
Are you not yet a citizen? Learn more about KRM’s citizenship preparation courses and immigration legal services
Driver's resources
In partnership with many different community members, Global Lex has developed driver's education material for limited English speakers. We have versions in French, Arabic and Swahili.
Presentations and training
Cross-Cultural Communication Training for local and immigrant participants
For the international community: presentations available on American cultures and laws, financial literacy, Emergency Preparedness and domestic violence prevention and more.
International Community Information
For the local community: presentations to learn more about the international population in Lexington, including subgroups, languages, and demographic information.
Internships
Global Lex has rolling applications for internships. University students with an interest in international affairs, cross-cultural communication, etc. are encouraged to apply. Interns are expected to continue the program for one academic year. Fall to spring or spring to fall. Interns intending to work only one semester or for the summer are expected to have increased hours.
To apply, send a resume to itaylor@lexingtonky.gov with the subject line "INTERNSHIP REQUEST." In the body of the email, write a brief cover letter.
About Lexington’s international population
- Based on 2023 FCPS ELL student enrollment, local estimates are that 23% of the total Lexington population are foreign language speakers.
- Approximately 200+ languages from all parts of the world are spoken in Lexington.
- As of February 2023, Fayette County Public Schools have 96 languages represented in the English learning programs.
- The top 10 foreign languages spoken/represented in Lexington are Spanish, Swahili, Arabic, Nepali, French, Mandarin, Japanese, Kinyarwanda, Korean and Portuguese in descending order.
- Lexington is following a national trend towards Asian immigration and foreign language growth.
Exports
- Number one export continues to be aerospace products.
- The state is number two in the nation in aerospace product exports.
- Top export locations in 2021: Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, China and France.
Resources
Community Response Coalition
Kentucky Refugee Ministries
Maxwell Street Legal Clinic
For multilingual victim assistance see: Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention Coalition
Lexington Public Library Multicultural
Mango Languages
Village Branch
Lexington Human Rights Commission
Kentucky Interpreter and Translator Association (interpreter training)
Lexington Human Trafficking Task Force
RadioLex (see the language selection window option on the upper right)
International and multicultural university higher and adult education links:
University of Kentucky International Center
International Admissions
International Student & Scholar Services
Education Abroad & Exchanges
Office of China Initiatives
UK Center for English as a Second Language
Bluegrass Community & Technical College Newtown Campus / Carnegie Operation Read
English as a Second Language
Bluegrass Community & Technical College Refugee and Career Pathway and Global Learning Center
International driver's licensing exam information
For the international community, GlobalLex has developed online learning videos for the international residents of Lexington and Fayette County.