Salem Human Rights Coalition

Meeting Minutes | February 2024 -- In Attendance: -Alphonse Wright Shimon Avish -Pamela Geiser -Julio Mota Veronica Miranda -Captain Burke -Kate Adams -Alan Hanscom Laura Assade -Kerry Neenan Lucy Corchado -Liv Duarte -Christopher Macdonald-Dennis -Doreen Wade -Judith Reilly - Salem Resident and Black History -Andy Varela Ward 7 Councilor Salem United - Building Engagement Jany 2023 All Town Hall 2023 & 2024 Salem United Reading by public library local black history, black expo, December 6th met with City of Salem United City of Salem content warning for 2023 - fought off attempt for learning about history 9 days later email from city want to do other Upstairs vs downstairs Not asked to share based on previous agreement Declined and did not apply 2/6 no other entities are in evidence, the SHRC spent last week for ⅔ flags Not for charlotte Forten Park entity all Salem two days of programming art idea boards SHRC fig leaf, uncomfortable for only black history Women in March Asian in May Hispanic in September Native in November Missing any history or heritage sorry sharing respectfully Alan Hanscomb: connected to what Judith said, a hard time for many people nationally and worldwide, political climate born of trying to oppose the current climate in American politics. I have been scared because people are so crazy right now. Nothing has happened to me, I’m ok, but I’ve heard of stories, and we are just trashed by about ½ of third of the population and don’t know what else to say. No other public comment. Jerry Halberstadt Alice Merkel Rene Marchando Erga Jacquelyn Coles Guests: None Alan SATV are Recording Welcome Guests/Public Comment: None Reports from Coalition Chair -The longest table Food Policy Council introduction to the community. If you want to get involved with a SFPC meeting it's the 1st Monday of every month, main focus re-branded used to be Salem Food for All - we might want to do that. We need to get our name out there with a fun event. Subcommittee Members and what each will do. Clerk Minutes from Quarter 4 were emailed to the Coalition. Minutes Approved and added to the Public Record. No November Minutes due to our fundraiser. Treasurer To Julio, Lucy needs reimbursement ($200 + $100 expired check from sent reimbursement request as did Shimon ($41.25) please advise. Will include Sabrina. She should be doing this now. We should have an expense for the Salem Film Fest, which did take place in January. Balance $1,305.29 - includes $1,000 Lifebridge Donation, Fundraiser. Low on swag, only have sanctuary buttons in English/Spanish. Subcommittee Reports Outreach Community events, SSU events, swag, Julio events with City. Postcards for renters and homeowners with Salem. We should make one to add. UBI -Now with City Hall; off the table. New Arrivals Initiative -Could try using vacant dorms at SSU? -Lodging is biggest hurdle. Julio “Non base vs Base dorms?” Alphonse: Didn’t ask what kind of dorms they were - it depends on when families need them. Liaisons Burke -Nothing in the last month. End of December, an incident where a note was placed on a windshield: “Why don’t you go die?” based on stickers on the back of the car at Market Basket. Could advise SHRC on developments, just doesn’t think there will be any follow-up; cameras showed nothing. Julio UBI is still in process and Lori is ON IT. She has worked closely in Cambridge/Somerville. Not quiet, related to Human Rights, Latino Leadership Coalition better use of Spanish in City of Salem (native vs. non-native). Julio conducts CodeRED, so if you’re worried about emergency calls, we’re aware on the back end. Laura Enrollment for Preschool and pre-k and kindergarten in January early childhood expo, info about all programs can share, starting 2/7 and 2/8 community onsite registration operations staff in community at Pequot, on the 8th follow-up meet and greet at Collins middle school and talk to principal about school programming. Week after, espacio, new family resource center at Shetland Park, if you visit SPS FB find fliers. Will send via email for distributing for registration. Anyone is welcome to attend if they have a student in the age range. -Hosting a Community Budget Forum about SPS priorities to staff and parents in-person today and virtual on 2/13 for the community as well for input. 2025 Budget discussions. Lucy: “Also spoken with faith-based communities? Yes, should have reached out to this. Immaculate conception does announcements after mass, maybe include this in that?” Kerry No updates since 2023. Lucy $192.50 Sponsor $50 Cash and Five Books $42.50 Award for MLK Essay Contest Elementary, Middle, High School on 1/22/24. Motion carried. Kate Thank you for making MLK convocation possible - especially essay readers. Dr. Shivaz is coming back at the end the of month on 2/27 4:00-6:30 at Vets Hall. The interfaith group about housing legislation, incarcerated, tenants, etc. need stories and need it by 2/27, if possible, because of the bill possible in early march if you’re interested in sharing your story. Connect with Kate to reach these contacts (meeting with Michael in Mayor’s office as well on Thursday to discuss). Andy Varela | City Council Brief update: food security, Food Policy Council, food resource for food insecurity, access to healthy food is a human right. Need to start a discussion about a line item in our budget and put out money where our mouth is - working with Alphonse. Looking forward to learning more. Old Business Salem Film Fest Long-standing tradition to sponsor a specific film. $300 Vote on your film to sponsor. It first comes, first served to sponsor so be prompt. We get names and logo featured in the program and during preview, and sponsor lists online and on screen plus two free tickets. Poster 1/22 notify of choice. 1/30 program. Good exposure. Motion carries. New Business for Next Meeting Kerry: Participation, part of me wanting to let Liaisons vs. Members be leaders - our membership #s is too low. Leadership as a resident of Salem. Laura: Community but disagree that I no longer live in Salem, I started working there, I am in here and getting paid, but it doesn’t mean I don’t care about Salem in a Liaison role. Need mentorship for a Board of Commission. Liaisons to have officer roles, whole committee to see how roles connect with other offices in certain instances, in others, it should be a community member to serve in that role. Julio: Table discussion about combining position of treasurer and mayor’s office liaison; can liaisons hold officer positions? Do they have to be a resident? If so, discuss for March meeting. Shimon: Efficiency - come with actual proposals for vote. If we have something to vote on it would make it an easier discussion. 2024 focuses? Lucy: ECHO. Shetland Park gentrification project, presentation and feedback. Lobby. Advocate Support. Migrants and dorms are not a permanent solution. Alphonse: Food & housing insecurity are my #1s. Julio: Rent control. Kerry: Do we know with SSU dorms how long those will be used, until Spring 2024?? I don’t know next steps…does anyone from SSU? Kate heard rumors about March, some students are doing advocacy work and that is fast for them to try and sustain them. If someone else owns it and wants to develop it, it won’t stay in dorms for long. NE Arc Resource Specialist. Still finding I don’t know all the resources out there. Could we put in work with the city on using their website, children's services, disability services, there’s so much out there - what’s going on? Laura: SSU met with stakeholders that service families here; Centerboard given until end of June 2024 to have families out of those buildings. How are we going to talk about current happenings in MA that impact human rights. How can we provide more information to the public i.e. landlord tenant rights. Varela: Joe Correnti Avalon bates complex win residential, under agreement, needs to be rezoned will talk with Correnti since 2024 construction is not happening if bates complex can continue to house it should. Julio: Kerry master resource list has not had a link to it. Go to the mayor’s office page under city government. Salem Together. Originally based on Covid - City should have as master list of the most inclusive things - two issues, if outdated, let Julio know - and - if new resources come out. How to get the message out there? I.e. partners Lucy: Salem Together - # of resources - a good start. Add to SHRC and Board/Commission pages to ensure everyone has access. Julio and Michael go through updates to Salem Together. Haitian immigrant students could do some translations for the Salem community as well. Veronica: Social workers have done a lot of this work already will share a link. Motion to table until next meeting approved. Shimon: Scott Sornberg, logistics Upcoming Events Julio: There is a page for black history month events, also a Dominican Independence Day flag raising 2/22 at Lafayette Park. 2/19-2/29 SPS Old Town Hall student Idea Boards to showcase. Charlotte Thornton and other black historical figures. 2/24 Additional exhibits at Old Town Hall for official Black History Month; speaker Paul McKain on Black Suffrage Movement and performers. This may be a perpetual thing.