City of Huntington Beach, California - Boards & Commissions

Human Relations Task Force

"…everyone should be treated with courtesy and respect, regardless of their racial background, their nation of origin, the religion they practice, their sexual orientation, gender or disability status. It is the right of all citizens to pursue their daily lives with the knowledge that they will not be physically harmed or verbally abused."
Declaration of Policy About Human Dignity, City of Huntington Beach, 1996

MISSION:

The Huntington Beach Human Relations Task Force (HRTF) promotes and celebrates diversity in our community through education and understanding.

BACKGROUND:

On May 6, 1996, the City of Huntington Beach City Council unanimously adopted a Declaration of Policy About Human Dignity, which prompted the creation of the HRTF in 1997. Ten years later, at the February 6, 2006, City Council meeting, the City Council reaffirmed the Declaration and recognized the work of the HRTF by publicly signing a new proclamation.

The Huntington Beach community-wide effort to promote human dignity is an important element in building a better community. Today, the HRTF works closely with the Police Department to strictly enforce and monitor all incidents that could be classified as hate crimes. Huntington Beach places a high priority on investigating and reporting these types of crimes immediately to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office and the Orange County Human Relations Commission. The HRTF discusses preventative actions and develops programs to encourage community education, interaction and relationship building.

HRTF meetings are publicly noticed per the California public meeting law (the Brown Act) and the meeting minutes are public record. Two City Council members also serve as liaisons to HRTF to facilitate council-task force communications and updates.

Partnerships

Huntington Beach Police Department
Huntington Beach Coordinating Council
Greater Huntington Beach Interfaith Council
Orange County Human Relations Council
California Association of Human Relations Organizations

PROGRAMS OVERVIEW:

TRACKING

The HRTF works with the Huntington Beach Police Department (HBPD) to review and follow up on reported hate incidents and hate crimes within the City of Huntington Beach. The HRTF reviews reports by the HBPD on incident and crime investigation, and tracks the progress of hate crimes filed by the HBPD with the Orange County District Attorney’s office.

RESPONSE

MAKING VICTIMS WHOLE
In addition to victim assistance referrals provided by the HBPD, the HRTF is developing a network of Huntington Beach businesses, individuals and organizations that assist with victim recovery. Referrals to these services are made at the recommendation of the HBPD and first responders to the hate crime. Hate crimes that involve property destruction often occur without witnesses, making restitution difficult.

Victims without resources may be put in a position of “living with” the damage which prolongs recovery, both materially and psychologically. Provide support to victims of hate crimes by completing and returning the form found at Making Victims Whole. Making Victims Whole lets victims know they are not alone, that there is community support for them, and provides help with property damage related to the crime.

PREVENTION

STUDENT LIAISONS
The HRTF works with student representatives from seven high schools in the Huntington Beach Union High School District and local middle schools to facilitate cultural programs, education and activities in the schools. Student representatives conduct or participate in cultural awareness activities, such as the District-Wide dialogue, leadership training, and diversity weeks.

MODEL HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM
Partnerships with Orange County Human Relations have enabled the development of student human relations leadership training and diversity programming at Huntington Beach High School. Two of these programs include BRIDGES and the Parent Leadership Institute.

The mission of the BRIDGES program is to improve inter-group relations by partnering with schools and communities to create, advocate for, and sustain a safe, inclusive and equitable campus climate that respects society's diversity. Students acquire the skills to work with a diversity of people while improving the human relations climate on campus.

The Parent Leadership Institute is a program designed to assist parents for whom English is a second language. The program assists parents in understanding the school system to better guide their children to success. Parents learn how to participate in school and community activities.

Read more about both of these programs at www.ochumanrelations.org.

SCHOOL GRANTS
The HRTF offers grants to high schools and middle schools for student field trips to the Museum of Tolerance, after which students report back to the HRTF regarding their experience.

HUNTINGTON BEACH READS ONE BOOK
HRTF brings the community together to read and discuss books that illustrate the diversity and humanity found in all people and cultures. Adults, students from seven local high schools, book clubs and families read the selected annual book and participate in a variety of discussions and events that bring the book to life. The program culminates with a visit by the author at a multi-school assembly and a meet-the-author program for the community. Read more below and at

www.HBReads.org.

MAKING VICTIMS WHOLE

Hate crimes that involve property destruction often occur without witnesses, making restitution difficult. Consequently, victims without resources may be put in a position of “living with” the damage and will constantly be reminded of the crime. This prolongs recovery, both materially and psychologically.

The Making Victims Whole program provides a network of Huntington Beach businesses, individuals and organizations that assist with victim recovery. Referrals to these services are made at the recommendation of the Huntington Beach Police Department and first responders to the hate crime.

Join others in the community providing support to victims of hate crimes by completing and returning the support form for Making Victims Whole.

HUNTINGTON BEACH READS ONE BOOK

HRTF brings the community together to read and discuss books that illustrate the humanity found in all people and cultures. The program is now entering its third year, and is endorsed by the City of Huntington Beach City Council and the Huntington Beach Library Board of Trustees.

Huntington Beach Reads One Book has selected the 2010 book choice: “They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky: The True Story of Three Lost Boys from Sudan.” Find the book at any of the Huntington Beach libraries or at Barnes & Noble located in the Bella Terra shopping district. Please hold the date of Thursday, March 11, 2010, 7:00 p.m., on your calendars to come hear the stories of the Three Lost Boys at Huntington Beach High School Gymnasium.

In 2008, with support from the Huntington Beach City Council, as well as the Huntington Beach Library Board of Trustees, the HRTF hosted its first Huntington Beach Reads One Book program. The idea is to have adults, students and families reading the same book at the same time for a community-wide experience. HRTF provides copies of the book to seven area high schools, hosts book discussions and events relating to the book’s human relations issues.

Previously featured books include “Three Cups of Tea” with author Greg Mortenson and “the kids from nowhere” with author George Guthridge.

Learn more at www.www.HBReads.org, and join the Huntington Beach Reads One Book mailing list at info@HBReads.org.

FRIENDS Program

Huntington Beach residents and businesses can join Friends of HRTF to support prevention and response programs, and volunteering at HRTF events. Community residents can join FRIENDS and provide support by:

Donating funds to sponsor HRTF programs (such as the Museum of Tolerance grants to local schools, education programs and dialogues, community forums and cultural fairs).
Providing services to hate crime victims (such as auto body repairs of a vandalized vehicle, paint to cover graffiti, medical and dental services for assault victims, or short-term accommodations for someone too traumatized to stay in their home or neighborhood).
Volunteering to assist with HRTF events and initiatives.

FRIENDS are invited to join HRTF members celebrate community diversity through dinner events at Huntington Beach restaurants. Join FRIENDS!

Donations for HRTF programs made payable to the City of Huntington Beach may be sent to:

Huntington Beach Human Relations Task Force
c/o Community Services, City of Huntington Beach
P.O. Box 190
Huntington Beach, CA 92648-2702

Be part of your community! The HRTF welcomes the public to its meetings for discussion and program suggestions. The HRTF meets monthly on the first Tuesday at 6:45 P.M. For more information about the Huntington Beach Human Relations Task Force, please contact the Huntington Beach Community Services Department, 714-374-5486.

HRTF Agendas

July 2, 2009 Canceled
June 2, 2009
May 5, 2009
April 07, 2009
March 3, 2009
Feb 3, 2009
Jan 6, 2009
Dec 2, 2008
Nov 4, 2008
Oct 07, 2008
Sep 02, 2008
Aug 05, 2008
July 01, 2008
June 03, 2008
May 06, 2008
Apr 01, 2008
Mar 04, 2008
Feb 05, 2008
Jan 31, 2008
Jan 8, 2008
Dec 4, 2007
Nov 6, 2007
Oct 2, 2007
Aug 7, 2007
July 10, 2007
June 5, 2007
May 1, 2007
Apr 11, 2007
Apr 03, 2007
Mar 06, 2007
Feb 06, 2007
Jan 02, 2007
Dec 05, 2006
Nov 07, 2006
Oct 02, 2006
Sep 05, 2006
Aug 01, 2006
Jul 05, 2006
Jun 06, 2006
May 02, 2006
Apr 04, 2006
Mar 07, 2006
Feb 07, 2006
Jan 03, 2006