Item B: Annual Meeting with Human Rights Commission

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HUMAN RIGHTS PROGRAM FY 2006 ACTIVITIES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS (HRSS) HUMAN RIGHTS SUPPORT SYSTEM Paso a Paso: The HRSS program continues to address the needs of people requiring language assistance at Municipal Court. Paso a Paso, or "Step by Step," occurs every second and fourth Monday of the month. Specially trained volunteers and staff han- dled 81 cases during the reporting period. Paso a Paso court in- terpreters were Martha Fish, Francisca Leyva-Johnson, and Rosalia Marquez. There is a discussion with representatives of the court system about enhancing the program to meet increased need for this service The Human Rights Support System, now in its 12th year, continues to provide advocacy and empowerment to peo- ple who have experienced discrimination and harassment. During the reporting period, volunteer advocates re- sponded to more than 26 cases, representing an estimated 300 hours of support The Advocate Response Team, the standing committee that manages the work of the Human Rights Support Sys- tem, made the decision to focus on team building and sup- port and retention of advocates during FY 2006. Human Rights Support System advocates spent time identifying what works best for them and what helps them be better advocates. In relation to a discussion by the Mediation and Advocacy Task Team, the Advocate Response Team also discussed the intent and perception of using the word "advocate" when describing Human Rights Support System volunteers. Members concluded that it is important for ad- vocates to thoroughly explain to complainants their role of supporting people through the process and not taking an issue on for the complainant. There was consensus that the word "advocate" should be kept TRAININGS Human Rights Support System advocates participated in the fOl- lowing trainings during the reporting period: Bureau of Labor and Industries presentation, September 2005 Community Mediation Services presentation, October 2005 City Council Priorities on Race and Homelessness discussion, December 2005 Page 22 . . . FY 2007/2008 Work Plan FY 2006 Annual Report and Eugene Human Rights Commission