Human Relations Commission

Commission on Human Relations Minutes October 25th, 2021 Skokie Police Station Attendance: Daphnee Camilien, Jaili Fajardo, Khem Khoeun(Trustee), Jonathan Lavan, Marcos Levy, Jim McVane, Rabbi Amy Memis-Foler, Maria Monastero Bueno (Chair), Jeremy Segall, James Specker, and Yesoe Yoon. Minutes Call to Order: Introduction and went around and had a mini introduction of each member of the group as the chair took attendance. Member continued to join us to the group and introduced themselves. Minutes from September 2021 were approved by Commissioner Yoon and Daphnee second the approval. Only correction was to Jonathan Lavan’s last name from September’s minutes. Committees: Information was provided on each committee starting with block parties and block party forum committee. Next was the Coming Together Skokie. Rabbi Amy gave an update and background on Coming Together Skokie. It is the 11th anniversary of Coming Together. Susan Van Dusen and other community women of leadership came together as a book club of cultures and wanted a way to celebrate the communities. This upcoming year, the community they are celebrating and educating the community on will be Disabilities. James is also on the planning committees and spoke about videos and educational videos on the history and laws for people with different abilities. James to email the links and Iris to email the group. Next committee was on fair housing. Possible housing request from Niles Township to be translated in multiple languages. Multiple commissioners volunteered to translate the housing flyer. Next was the Festival of Cultures. In May there is a weekend where Oakton Park District holds a Festival of Cultures and the Human Relations Commission shows support and volunteers during this weekend. Next was Know Your Neighbor. It was funded by the Chicago Trust and it was a grass roots started by neighbors and the commission. Kits were dropped off in the homes and Village officials would stop by. Rabbi Amy hosted one and gave details. Next was SEED. It is a yearlong program where members meet once a month and Human Relations has funded one commissioner to be a trainer. Trustee Khem and Rabbi Amy were in a class together and gave details. Stand Against Racism was next and Iris gave a background with the partnership with the YWCA Evanston North Shore. Iris gave information on how it was previously done pre- COVID and how it is now done during COVID with the Stand Against Racism Human Relations Sign, partners with the Skokie Library, local schools, Village Hall, Skokie PD and Skokie Fire. Next was Skokie United and Black History Month with the Library committee. Then the committee with Skokie Pride table at the Park District and the District 69 event was discussed. More information was given about the committees. A sign-up sheet was passed around for commissioners to sign up on the committees. Details about a chair, co-chair and note taker was announced. The committee sign up will be passed around again during the December meeting. Old Business: Trustee Khem provided information on the shelter from the last meeting. She provided information from Connections from the Homeless in a PDF from July to September 2021 and the services that were provided to Skokie Residents from wrap around services, Hilda’s Place, eviction prevention, outreach team and much more. Trustee Khem spoke about securing a more fixed site and increasing their emergency beds. Iris provided information on the partnership from Human Services and the Connections from the Homeless team as well. New Business Let’s Talk at Lunch Skokie is now virtual from the YWCA Evanston North Shore. It is great way to continue to participate in the community via online and continue the conversation about various topics. Link to be sent via email when next invite is sent out by YWCA. Assist A Family Holiday Program is coming up held by Village of Skokie Human Services. Iris went over holiday program and how it works. Email to be sent out once donations open. Donations not to be expected by commissioners, only greatly appreciated. Meeting dates: 01/24, 02/28, 03/28, 04/25, 05/23, 06/27 Adjournment Commissioner Jeremy and seconder by Commissioner Yoon Respectfully submitted by Iris Barrios