Human Rights Commission

FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Jun 10 2021 11:23 am Public Meeting Human Rights Commission Meeting Minutes Date: May 11, 2021 Fitchburg, Ma 01420 Time: 5:30pm Location: via Zoom In attendance were: Commissioners: Barbara Nealon, Krista Ford-Rhodes, Hafsa Asfa, Martiza Knight, Cheryl Maguy-Stewart, Mariah Pidgen, Maryam Ashraf; Presenter: Leona Whetzel AGENDA  Meeting was called to order at 5:30pm  Welcoming and Introductions  Review of previous meeting minutes April, 2021-meeting minutes accepted as written  Public Comment Period-Opportunity for the public to speak during a Commission Meeting Chairperson or designee will ask if anyone in the audience wishes to speak on any matter appearing on the agenda. If you wish to address the commission, raise your hand, when recognized, you must stand state your name and address and the reason for your speaking -none New Business o Presentation- Fitchburg Equity Vaccine Clinics….. A collaboration with MOC, Three Pyramids Inc and the Board of Health-presented by Leona Whetzel City Councilor Tom Hughes reached out to the State Reps advocating on behalf of Equity for the needs of those more vulnerable populations within the City and through the collaborative efforts of the City, MOC, Three Pyramids, Spanish American Center and the United Hmong of Mass helped to provide the Equity Vaccine Clinics for the residents of Fitchburg. Vaccine Equity Initiative-The COVID-19 Vaccine initiative focuses on 20 Prioritized Communities and those disproportionally impacted by COVID-19. · Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Latin individuals · Individuals who do not speak English, or who prefer to speak in another language. · Individuals who do not have access to public transportation or who have barriers getting to a vaccination site. · Individuals who do not feel comfortable getting the vaccine in a Healthcare setting. · Individuals with disabilities and those who have access and functional needs. · Individuals experiencing homelessness. · Individuals with mental illness and/or residents with substance use disorder Plan: hoping to expand into neighborhoods and bring the Vaccine to them using mobile vans with the Board of Health Nurses in the future and working on a walk-in clinic at the YMCA.  Old Business- o Education Racial Justice Group/SURJ subgroup reports Commissioners Asfa, Knight; Dr.Knight reported Superintendant Jokela did follow up with her re: her comment on no follow up post application on School Spring and his Human Resource staff were able to pull up her history on applications including three position offers and two declined. She noted she has no recollection of these notifications. She had not applied for any positions since then. o Topics, programs for discussion for future meetings Peace Pole Project –focusing on Children/Youth-Commissioner Maguy-Stewart-awaiting reopening of the Library for events-TBD o Other items –reported by B.Nealon Follow up to the Our Father’s House police investigation. The Police investigation has been closed with no findings/ no charges filed. Adjournment 6:24pm Meeting Minutes submitted by, Maryam Ashraf and Barbara Nealon.