Salem Human Rights Coalition

Meeting Minutes | September 5, 2023 Present Members  Alphonse Wright | Chair  Shimon Avish | Treasurer  Kerry Neenan | Liaison, Commission on Disabilities  Katelyn Adams | Liaison, Salem State University  Julio Mota | Liaison, City of Salem, Mayor’s Office  Veronica Miranda | Member  Elise Towle Snow | Member  Denise Regan | Member  Lucy Corchado | Liaison, Salem State University  Laura Assade | Liaison, Salem Public Schools Present Guests Alan Hanscom, SATV Meeting called to order, recording initiated. Welcome and Introductions. Added verbiage from legal that says: “The SHRC meeting will be held via remote participation in accordance with Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2023.” See Agenda. Opportunity for Public Comment.  None Governor’s Statement, read by Chair. Reports from Coalition [A] Chair Meeting with Nick Downing resulted in an additional conversation with the Mayor. Miscommunication, basically, we’re discussing operating capital, not ARPA funds, from the City of Salem. Beth conversation next week regarding finalization of Bylaws which should be available by September meeting. [B] Clerk Absent. [C] Treasurer Balance is $135.29 – no change since last meeting. Low on swag; only have sanctuary buttons in English/Spanish. Shimon may be present with Nick during next financial discussion. [D] Subcommittee Reports New Arrivals No update. https://www.salemma.gov/salem-human-rights-coalition Page 1 of 5  Meeting Minutes | September 5, 2023 Universal Basic Income No update. Outreach/Engagement No update. [E] Liaison Reports Julio – Mayor’s office introducing Salem Compass newsletter summarizing City’s projects, events that occurred, etc. Mayor’s office has joined a Boston Women’s Workforce Council Gender and Racial Wealth Gap program to help the city identify and address gaps for Municipal employees. Heritage Days Doing Business in Salem Guide. Kerry – Still working on project for getting loaner wheelchairs for the City, slow pace not sure of storage maintenance, but are looking into models. Mary Jane Lee Park resurfaced with accessible rubberized material. Disability Commission kicked in some funds to complete this project. The Commission is also going around to outdoor dining areas to discuss sidewalk gaps, 36” clearance space, no sandwich board signs in middle of sidewalk, etc. NE Arc doing a long weekend with young adults staying in dorms at SSU for independent moving skills project. Kate/Lucy – SSU First-Year “Day of Service” – looking for projects to get volunteers going on for 9/1/23. No updates – just prepping for the fall. Planning Hispanic Heritage month and will pass along details once we know more. Laura – Yesterday sent out Back to School Fair invitations for 8/23/23 from 4:30-7:30 at Palmer Cove Park 50 Leavitt Street (rain date 8/24). Provide backpacks, school supplies, and are accepting donations for additional school supplies for Teachers School Union venmo account. Salem PD also participating. Even volunteering or donating water helps! Community Walks with School Superintendent. Also presented in front of the Loring Towers building, providing information about start and end times. Partnered with the Salem Housing https://www.salemma.gov/salem-human-rights-coalition Page 2 of 5  Meeting Minutes | September 5, 2023 Authority on an event at Rainbow Terrace. Next Community Walk is through The Point on 9/9. Ice Cream Bowl next week. Trying to have a level of community presence for our families. Group Discussion Alphonse: I want to review where we are currently with our initiatives, see if we like them, want to continue them, start something new, etc.? Kerry: Continue with New Arrivals, it’s high-priority. Everywhere there is an increased need for services, especially for immigrants. This is a state-wide issue. Julio: Subcommittee could use some energy, Denise and Elsabel did some great work, but there’s a path forward for more work. Centerboard CEO, Mark DeJoy, need to hear from him to learn more about how we can help folks at SSU. Alphonse: Centerboard are connected to DTA, and will not offer assistance to anyone who does not have positive status i.e. undocumented. Which is why New Arrivals committee is needed. Without documentation you cannot get assistance from the Department of Transitional Assistance and have little to no recourse. Lucy: How many families are there at SSU? Can we assist with documentation to help people get it in order for the DTA/Centerboard? Alphonse: Elsabel and others are doing this work. Denise: SPD can help get a shelter bed, but there are no emergency shelters available for families. Called to Chelsea Collaborative, who has come here and picked up families. If we can’t find a hotel room, we could maybe pay Chelsea Collaborative? Alphonse: Capt. Burke and I are trying to get a meeting with CEO of Chelsea Collaborative. Laura: Over 100 families are at SSU with others housed elsewhere. Not discussing Centerboard families here, we are talking about others who are here from outside the country/state that are in need. Fleeing violence, natural disasters, need immediate support from SHRC for a hotel stay and help obtaining other local aid for their family with kids. Alphonse: Sounds like we should keep New Arrivals active as an initiative. Next, is UBI. We are looking into feasibility of getting a UBI Program started in Salem. There are a lot of moving parts, and the best way to have that happen is with Mayoral support. Mayor Pangallo is assessing materials from Alphonse, currently in a holding pattern. https://www.salemma.gov/salem-human-rights-coalition Page 3 of 5  Meeting Minutes | September 5, 2023 Shimon: Can we get an update from representatives on status of UBI at a state-level? Alphonse: Did reach out to Rep. Cruz. and Senator Lovely. Will need to follow up on this and Bill 1632 in the legislature https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/HD3646. Should we backburner this or press on? Press on – got it. Will reach out to cities of Cambridge/Chelsea/others who have successfully implemented this program (i.e. Cambridge Rise), perhaps discuss at same time as representatives. Not taking on anything else at this time due to the complexity and time constraints around these two initiatives. However – Youth Engagement – trying to get some things going. An election is coming up, wondering if Salem Public Schools has a youth forum for things like this? Laura: Not sure how student body has been engaged in previous years, we are mostly focused on family engagement, but have colleagues who may be able to explain what happened in the past and things that may be in the works. Also, community organizations they may work with outside the school. Alphonse: Either and/or School Committee / School Councilor elections, come up with questions, have students moderate, etc. to get them directly involved and learn what their interests are in Salem. SHRC cannot endorse any candidates. Kate: Collins Middle School project to research candidates, promote them, come to SSU and reaching out to voters at Center for Civic Engagement. Want a forum where we bring candidates to campus, but if you have ideas we are looking to engage kids, too. Shimon: Coalition asked candidates to sign an agreement to behave themselves. It’s drafted on Alphonse’s laptop. Never did get involved in candidate forums, left to League of Women Voters, who do an excellent job. Really important if you personally endorse, you do not associate yourself with SHRC. Need to get young people engaged in our meetings on a regular basis. We need fresh ideas and new members over time. Veronica: See if League of Women Voters can engage youth vote and empower questions? Laura: In the past, candidates have been asked to sign on to Sanctuary for Peace ordinance, candidates could support certain initiatives in the City of Salem, letter writing for voter concerns, etc. Kids do need volunteer hours, and SHRC participation could be a great resume builder. Kate/Lucy: Civic Engagement and Politics students at SSU might like to partner with Salem Public Schools on youth engagement. School of Social Work and Sociology do ask students to https://www.salemma.gov/salem-human-rights-coalition Page 4 of 5  Meeting Minutes | September 5, 2023 attend City meetings, but may need to speak with Department Chairs to motivate students beyond a single assignment. Upcoming Events Elise: Ice Cream Bowl on 9/9 One Book One Salem giveaway how not to drown in a glass of water. Meet and Eat on Derby Wharf. Get ice cream on the Common. Free book, some DJs, and a free movie. Julio: Flag Raisings at Noon for remainder of year are In Support of Ukraine 8/23 or 8/24; Hispanic Heritage Month 9/15; Italian Heritage Month 10/16 or 10/17. Heritage Days in Salem 8/13 Cultural Festival Noon-5pm at House of the Seven Gables. Lucy: 8/6 Salem Beautification Committee The Point cleanup. Meet at Leavitt and Congress 10- 2. 9/30 2-6 Block Party Peabody Street with food trucks and live music. Kerry: Sensory Hours on 8/9 from 10-2 and 8/16 from 10-2 at PEM. New Business None. Next Scheduled Meeting is September 5, 2023 at 5:30 PM. Adjournment. https://www.salemma.gov/salem-human-rights-coalition Page 5 of 5