Item 3: Appt.Human Rights Comm. - Laserfiche WebLink

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Application For Appointment to Citizen Adviso Boards and Commission 1. What experience, training, and/or qualifications do you have for this particular board or commission? I have a B.A, in Sociology from the University of Oregon with a focus in Ethnic Studies. For the last six years I have worked in the social service field. I work for Catholic Community Services in a contract with the Dept. of Human Services to do home visits with clients receiving cash assistance (TANF/Temporary Assistance to Needy Families). I have extensive experience working with vulnerable individuals and a families in our community. These families are unemployed, sometimes homeless, and often dealing with mental health and/or substance abuse issues. In addition, I continue to educate myseff in diversity related matters by continuously attending and participating in trainings. These trainings are not required by my employer, in any way. This is my own dedication to keep myself informed and educated. I myseff, have facilitated several trainings for the staff at CCS and DHS in the area of Diversity training. 2. What specific contribution do you hope to make to the board or commission? Why do you want to become a member? I want to join the commission to help the already existing efforts they are making to educate the community on Human Rights Issues and to help rid the city of the Institutional Racism that is still very prevelant. I am a single mother of three Native and African American children. I have a teenage boy and twin elementary aged girls. As much as Eugene would like to pride itseff as being, "diverse," the community has a long way to go. I see each and every minute of every day the effects that institutional racism has on the education and quality of life issues of children. These issues can affect who they become as citizens in our community. I fully support the efforts of the commission in trying to open people's minds and make change through education and information. I believe each and every community member should be protected in their rights to hold their own beliefs and opinions and it is my intention to protect their rights. At the same time, it is also my intention to keep community members from trying to impose their own beliefs and opinions on others. We all have the right to equal employment, equal housing, and equal treatment in schools. I will do everything I can to help our community achieve these goals. 3. Briefly describe you involvement in relevant community groups and activities. I am a current active member of the I-IRC's Education and Outreach Committee. I served on the Lane County Human Rights Advisory Committee for the last year. I was a member of the Department of Human Services Diversity Committee for 5 years, of which, I was the co- chair for 1 year. As I said earlier, I have conducted several diversity related training for my employer and fellow staff. I have worked with my employer on our company's accreditation and have created Diversity guidelines that our company now adheres to. I have volunteered off and on for the last couple years at E1 Centro Latino Americano and continue to stay involved as much as I can in their efforts.