Salem Human Rights Coalition

Meeting Minutes | May 7, 2024 Present Members • Alphonse Wright | Chair • Shimon Avish | Treasurer • Veronica Miranda | Member (Resigned) • Kerry Neenan | Liaison, Commission on Disabilities • Laura Assade | Liaison, Salem Public Schools • Katelyn Adams | Liaison, Salem State University (Absent) • Lucy Corchado | Liaison, Salem State University • Julio Mota | Liaison, City of Salem, Mayor’s Office • Andrew Varela | Liaison, Salem City Council • Captain John Burke | Liaison, Salem Police Department (Absent) • Jessica Rondinelli | Liaison, Salem Police Department Present Guests Alan Hanscom, SATV Lori Stewart, Housing Stability Coordinator for City of Salem Meeting called to order, recording initiated. Welcome and Introductions. Opportunity for Public Comment. • None Governor’s Statement, read by Chair. Reports from Coalition [A] Chair Event at the PEM last week, hosted by Creative Collective. Roundtable talking about sustainability, advocacy, stability. Executive Director of Citizen’s Inn and Haven for Hunger at Alphonse’s table. Alphonse wants to connect. They do housing insecurity and food insecurity. Waiting for invoice from North Shore Pride. https://www.salemma.gov/salem-human-rights-coalition  Meeting Minutes | May 7, 2024 Walk for HAWC, no team for HRC, but City does have a team. $30 registration fee and fundraising. [B] Clerk Kerry will check in with Pam on any outstanding minutes. Kerry taking minutes this meeting. [C] Treasurer Balance is still $1,064.04 – waiting on invoice from North Shore Pride. Julio has taken over for Shimon. Need to update website. Subcommittee Reports [A] New Arrivals None. [B] Universal Basic Income None. [C] Outreach/Engagement None. Old Business [A] Vote on Bylaws Revisions Discussion regarding removing the Treasurer title and incorporating financial duties with Mayor’s Liaison. Motion to remove Treasurer position and combine with Julio as Mayor’s Liaison Officer. Motion carried and approved. Shimon sending Excel spreadsheet to Julio. Thank you, Shimon, for your years of service!! Need to elect a Vice Chair. [B] Vote on Allowing Liaisons to hold Officer Positions Motion to allow Liaisons to hold Officer positions. Discussion regarding Liaisons being Salem residents, agree Liaisons should be. Motion seconded and unanimously approved as long as they are residents of the City of Salem. [C] Vote on Focuses for 2024 Alphonse – Housing is my thing. Mayor has chosen this as a focus, too, so we could dovetail nicely with that. Julio – Education on the civic process and saving democracy, and helping with other organizations in our area on these initiatives. Lucy – we have a presidential election and we need to prepare for that. Motion to focus on Housing seconded and carried. Will be able to work on other two items simultaneously, but this will be our main focus. https://www.salemma.gov/salem-human-rights-coalition  Meeting Minutes | May 7, 2024 Liaison Reports Kerry - Disabilities Commission reviewed more outdoor patio setups. Restaurants have been receptive to changes to types of tables, setup, etc. One restaurant has not attended either meeting. Julio - salem400.org website launched. Julio went to Texas with Welcoming America - national network helping municipalities and nonprofits support immigrants. Went with Elsabel from the Welcome Immigrant Network. Ideas from other municipalities. Salem Charitable Samaritan Society - private group that gives out cash assistance to those in need. Needs to go through a third party. Cap is $750. Has to be Salem resident. Julio to send guidelines. [A] Burke/Rondinelli – Made arrest in pipe bombing at Satanic Temple. Great collaboration with FBI, ATF. Alphonse asked about a graffiti incident. Officer Rondinelli didn’t have details, has been away, will look into it. Lucy asked about an incident on SSU campus of someone being called the N word while walking their dog. Alphonse is aware, and it’s being handled. [B] Laura Assade – This week is Staff Appreciation Week. Look at social media for opportunities to recognize specific staff members. 63 students received seal of biliteracy. Grows every year. Budget was approved by School Committee. Waiting for city to approve. Then can start work for the next school year. Thank Alphonse, partnered to come to Educator BIPOC affinity group. Alphonse spoke about HRC, how to join, etc. Talked about Racial Equity Task Force and online reporting tool. New Business [A] Lori Stewart – Discussing her role as Housing St Prevent voluntary displacement of Salem residents who are in the process of eviction or losing their home. Rehousing the unhoused. Create policies to combat displacement and promote tenant rights. In first year, met with over 500 individuals. Helps with housing searches, rental assistance. Salem has a Housing Stability service. Contract with Essex County Bar Association. Fonseca, lawyer, goes to Espacio and Community Life Center. Lori starting a project - need education. People come to City Hall and they’re evicting themselves. Landlord sends notice they need to be out in a certain amount of time. Only housing court can evict you. Notice doesn’t mean you have to leave by the date landlord says. Don’t have right to counsel now but city is working on it. Launch a campaign called either Know Your Rights or You Have Rights. Post online, give out at food pantry, etc. Poster would have a QR code that would go to a video. Looking for grants to get it done professionally. Want to get it out soon, so just go with unprofessional easier version. Want it in multiple languages. Film with recognizable Salem residents - Lucy Corchado? Asked Julio to https://www.salemma.gov/salem-human-rights-coalition  Meeting Minutes | May 7, 2024 reach out to Latino groups. Alphonse & Kerry offered to help amplify any new projects or information. Andy Varela said to contact him for any assistance needed. Lucy asked if could get any money from Affordable Housing Trust. Lori said a lot of their money is ARPA money and is accounted for. Lori wants to work with people one on one but need to address systemic issues. lstewart@salem.com Upcoming Events ● May 23 - AAPI Flag Raising at 5pm ● June 2 - Pride Flag Raising ● June 9 - Walk for HAWC ● June 18 - Juneteenth Jam - Flag Raising and more! Alphonse speaking with other community members. Then doing Frederick Douglass Reading. Games, food, etc. 12 - 5pm (approximate time). Offered a table and have an activity for people to do. Figure out what activity could be. Email Alphonse ideas and we’ll finalize at next meeting ● June 22 - Pride Parade Black Picnic happening? Alphonse not sure what official statement is about it happening. Julio said it will be happening - at least gathering at Willows. Next Scheduled Meeting is June 4, 2024 at 5:30 PM. Motion for Adjournment approved. https://www.salemma.gov/salem-human-rights-coalition