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. The policy statement prompted the creation of the HRTF, supported by resident volunteers. In February 2006, the HRTF hosted a ten-year re-signing of the Declaration by the City Council with a celebration of community diversity.
CURRENT PROGRAMS:
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, who continues 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.
Partnerships
- Huntington Beach Police Department
- Huntington Beach Coordinating Council
- Greater Huntington Beach Interfaith Council
- Orange County Human Relations Commission
- California Association of Human Relations Organizations
Community events hosted by the HRTF include: “Huntington Beach Reads One Book,” "Celebration of Diversity," "Days of Dialogue," "Some Enchanted Evenings," "This Land is Your Land - a multi-cultural experience," the first "Multi-Cultural Festival," and "Diversity in Our Community."
SCHOOL PROGRAMS
- 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 programs within the schools, such as: Diversity Week, Walk In My Shoes, dialogues, dispute resolution, mediation training, and various cultural awareness activities.
- 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.
- In partnership with HBUHSD, the city of Huntington Beach, the HRTF, and Orange County Human Relations, Huntington Beach High School is actively participating in a model school “Bridges” program to improve inter-group relations, as well as a leadership training program for language minority parents
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.
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 behind the program is to have as many adults, students and families reading the same book at the same time in order to develop a community-wide experience. The selected book, "Three Cups of Tea," co-authored by humanitarian Greg Mortenson and journalist David Oliver Relin, was read by all seven area high schools and book discussions were held in the community, culminating with a visit by Mr. Mortenson in February 2008.
Program donors included the Kiwanis Club of Huntington Beach, Rainbow Disposal, Barnes & Noble at Bella Terra, The Center for Excellence in Education, the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort, Friends of the Huntington Beach Library, and the American Association of University Women, as well as many local residents.
Over 800 high school students and 1,800 Huntington Beach and Southern California residents participated in the day-long visit by the author. See an overview of the program in the March 2008 Community Connection or in the March 2008 video magazine, Surf City Highlights.
Huntington Beach Reads One Book has selected the 2009 book choice: “the kids from nowhere” by George Guthridge. Readers are taken to the remote Bering Sea village of Gambell on St. Lawrence Island, Alaska. Stepping into the world of the Yupik people, “the kids from nowhere” is an engaging look at the world through their eyes. Find the book at any of the Huntington Beach libraries or at Barnes & Noble located in the Bella Terra shopping district. Learn more about the book at www.HBReads.org, and join the Huntington Beach Reads One Book mailing list at info@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.
FRIENDS Program
FRIENDS of HRTF encompass an approach toward "making victims whole". 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. at the Huntington Beach City Hall, 2000 Main Street.
For more information about the Huntington Beach Human Relations Task Force, please contact the Huntington Beach Community Services Department, 714-374-5307.
HRTF AgendasSep 02, 2008
Aug 05, 2008
July 01, 2008
June 03, 2008
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Jan 31, 2008
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Dec 4, 2007
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Oct 02, 2006
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Mar 07, 2006
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Jan 03, 2006
HRTF Minutes
June 03, 2008
May 06, 2008
Apr 01, 2008
Mar 04, 2008
Feb 05, 2008
Jan 08, 2008
Dec 04, 2007
Nov 02, 2007
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August 07, 2007
July 03, 2007
June 05, 2007
May 01, 2007
April 03, 2007
March 06, 2007
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Jan 02, 2007
Dec 05, 2006
Nov 07, 2006
Oct 03, 2006
Sep 05, 2006
Aug 02, 2006
July 06, 2006
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May 02, 2006
Apr 04, 2006
Mar 07, 2006
Feb 07, 2006
Jan 03, 2006
Task Force Members
- Fred Provencher, Chair
- Mary Adams Urashima, Vice Chair
- Alan Chancellor, Immediate Past Chair
- Chuck Goldenberg, Secretary
- Gwen Black
- Amanda Bloom
- Marlene Breverman
- Ken Inouye
- Karen Jackle