Item 6: Interim Appointment to Human Rights Commission

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Application for Human Hights Commlssimwr Paloma Alida Reza ""1lat experiences, training and/or qualifications do you have for this particular board or commission? My professional experiences include advocacy, organizational/non-profit business development, program development and coordination, case management, uisis intervention and community education, My areas of work include domestic/interpersonal violence, legal advocacy, disability rights, child advocacy, LGBTQ rights, HIV/ AIDS education, and issues that affect Latino/a, (Jucano/a, Hispanic people. Personally, I offer the perspective of a queer Chicana, a survivor of child abuse, recovering addict and daughter of a mother with mental health challenges. Specific coalition work I have done i.ncludes the follo,""ing:Developjng Independent Living Plans with. people with developmental disabilities vvitlun a coalition of case workers, guardians and other advocates. I have had extensive training and experience working as an advocate in domestic! interpersonal violence within a collective COlk,,>ensus feminist organization. As member of the collective I held several prominent positions on three governance committees; Process and Planning, Board Development and Organizational Development I also worked jn coalition with several community groups and developed several sustaining projects. As a OS. legal advocate, I participated ill prosecutor meetings to address systematic issues within the legal system that resorted III re-victimization of survivors. 1 developed a c0111prehensive policy and procedures manual by which shelter services are effectively being nm by, I co-developed a community education program for youth. and helped to pass the uutiative tllat would allow dating violence to be taught in public school health classes. I furtller developed my skills in organi.zational development and understanding of disability rights by having the opportuni.ty to work with a local disability rights organization in its process of going from grassroots to 501<""'3. I also worked with the D.A.' s office at the Child Advocacy Center as a child advocate for children and YOUtll going through the judicial systern due to abuse. Currently, I am an advocate with the Human Rights Program, I work at the HIV Alliance as an education assistant and I am a student at the University of Oregon. My majors are Etlmic Studies and PolitiGl.t Science with a minor in Spanish, My area of concentration is Human Rights and L..'ltin America. I value and reflect hard work, honesty and accountability. What specific contribution do you hope to make to th.e board or conmlission? Why do you want to become a. member? I have a deep devotion to hmnan rights because 1 believe in the inherent worth of people and their right to live without fear, illtinudation, denied access or violence of any form. I am dedicated to ending violence of all form..'>- and to understanding and fighting the intricacies of lunnan rights violations on different levels and wi.th different groups. My knowledge, my wisdom, my willingness to learn and put my o,"vn assumptions and prejudices up for debate y.,rj.JJ be an invaluable asset to the commission. I am a hard worker. I am a genuu1e person who has an innate ability to listen to others and v,mrk with them to find. solutions that is for the betterment of the whole, I am. earnest, dedicated and forthright ill ail my \-'lork. 1 am confident with my yoice, abrmt my place in the