Annual Report 2008-2009 MORE THAN 45,000 98% said they feel more empowered, 83% said they are more likely to take a stand STUDENTS PARTICIPATED against hate and intolerance, IN THE BRIDGES PROGRAM 93% felt they increased their leadership skills, and THIS YEAR, AND... 71% said they are more likely to go to college. Now is the Time to Stand for Respect A message from Rusty Kennedy, Executive Director OC Human Relations While many of us were celebrating our love for our country on the 4th of July, a Latina was fighting for her life and livelihood against two men who sexually assaulted, stabbed and robbed her while yelling at her to go back to Please Us Mexico. www.ochumanrelations.orgJoin As the economy faltered and people lost their homes, jobs and security, bigotry motivated TODAY by fear was aimed at those perceived to be different. African Americans, Latinos, Gays As Rusty Kennedy, our Executive Director points out, now is and Lesbians, Immigrants, Jews and Muslims, the time to stand up for human relations! We are witnessing Asians and others were singled out by fear a deteriorating civility in our neighborhoods and increasing mongers in an effort to undermine their political threats of violence to individuals who may appear different. foes. They broadcast their bigotry over the air waves and cables at the most convenient, and However, whoever you are, there is something you can do to at times, vulnerable targets, whether it be an make Orange County a better place for all people. Here are immigrant or our African American president. a few steps you can take: They used the uncensored, nearly anonymous internet channels where facts go unchecked • Speak up against hate. When you witness acts o and repeated rumors start to seem real. hate or intolerance or hear hateful language, let people know you don’t tolerate such behavior and Now is the time for the good people of our com- offer support to the victims. munity to stand together and create a future where all people are valued and in- • Learn about the cultures and religions of other ethnic cluded; where bigotry is not accepted; where groups living in Orange County. Participate in prejudice and discrimination are ended. dialogues with diverse neighbors or co-workers to help maintain a sense of community. OC Human Relations is charting such a course: Building understanding and respect; Developing • Support organizations that promote mutual under the diverse leaders of tomorrow; Creating safe standing like OC Human Relations. inclusive schools and neighborhoods; Mediating conflict. It’s time to consider the values that unite us as one human family. By taking a stand for human relations, we all win! This year we are facilitating a community build- ing process in a densely populated, impover- ished corridor via Santa Ana Building Healthy Community Initiative; Doubling our Mediation Program in the courts and community; and Re- leasing our BRIDGES Program nationally. Judy Iannaccone, Nadia Saad Bettendorf, President, Chair, Orange County Human Join us as we provide nationally recognized OC Human Relations Council Relations Commission model programs. Make a difference today. VISION CREATE SAFE AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES ...through the award winning “BRIDGES” School Program in 27 Middle and High Schools throughout Orange County. 49,000 people participated in this year’s BRIDGES program: 527 Students and 33 Teachers participated in 28 Task Force Retreats 694 students participated in 27 Human Relations Retreats 22,804 students participated in 76 Human Relations Initiatives 12,231 students took part in 464 Task Force Meetings DEVELOP DIVERSE LEADERS ...through interactive leadership programs to empower people and to have a voice in the decision-making process of the institutions hat affect their lives. 58 people completed four Basic Mediation Certification Trainings 162 Police Officers participated in six diversity training sessions 150 community members were engaged in 96 Community and Parent Leadership Seminars MEDIATE CONFLICT ...throughout Orange County and encourage dialogue as an alternative to violence and litigation. 3,600 people received mediation services 63 police/community conflicts were handled 105 volunteer mediators served in dispute resolution “We share a vision of the future where a diverse community of engaged and respected people come together in a vibrant, empowered democracy that embraces the world as it is and helps us all to be better.” Jim Lehmann, President Community BUILD UNDERSTANDING AND RESPECT Partners, ...among diverse communities, law enforcement and residents so we can discover President, Innovative that we have more in common as human beings than that which separates us. Marketing Strategies 180 participants attended 6 Hate Crime Presentations 3,500 community members participated in 93 Community meetings 500 residents engaged in three Community Forums 150 police and community members came together in a hate crime conference - 3 - CREATE SAFE AND INCLUSIVE 2007-2008 Participating Schools in BRIDGES Anaheim Huntington Beach Union High COMMUNITIES Anaheim High School School District Sycamore Jr. High Huntington Beach High School Loara High School Magnolia High School Los Alamitos Ball Jr. High Laurel High School South Jr. High MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN SCHOOLS Katella High School Newport Beach Western High School Newport Harbor High School Savanna High School The BRIDGES School Inter-Group Relations and Violence Servite High School Santa Ana Prevention Program works to improve inter-group relations Teacher training (10 sessions) Santiago Creek Day School by partnering with schools and communities to create and Cesar Chavez High School Buena Park sustain a safe, inclusive school climate that respects society’s Buena Park Junior High diversity. Since 1988, BRIDGES has worked cooperatively Rancho Santa Margarita Rancho Santa Margarita with entire school communities—students, parents, teachers, Corona del Mar Intermediate administrators and staff— to develop ways to address the criti- Corona Del Mar High School cal issues that impact students’ success and opportunities. Las Flores Intermediate School Cypress Young people and their adult allies are empowered to identify, Cypress High School Westminster investigate and address the human relations needs on their La Quinta High School campus via a series of trainings and dialogues. Students’ Fountain Valley worlds grow larger as they are exposed to different people Los Amigos High School County-Wide Programs Fountain Valley High School from different backgrounds, cultures and experiences; while Human Relations Associates helping to prepare them for higher education and a diverse Program Fullerton Walk In My Shoes Conference work force. Fullerton Union High School BRIDGES Leadership Camp BearPaw Preserve Retreats When all people feel safe and included and schools cre- Garden Grove ate communities and campuses where everyone feels they Santiago High School belong, the learning of our students and the teaching of our Garden Grove High School educators is maximized. Irvine Intermediate BUILDING A HEALTHY COMMUNITY IN SANTA ANA On April 3, 2009 OC Human Relations was selected by the Santa Ana Building a Healthy Community Steering Committee to be the lead agency for a 9-month planning process to develop a ten year community plan. The California Endowment selected the City of Santa Ana as one of 14 places in the state for a deep, sustained and community driven initiative to create a place where youth are safe, healthy and ready to learn. To find out more go to santaanabhc.com. - 4 - DEVELOP DIVERSE HUNTINGTON BEACH PARENT LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE LEADERS Over 24 parents participated in a Parent Leadership Training and a year-long program to empower Latino residents to work collaboratively with the school, city and community organizations. Parents attended bi-weekly meetings dur- ing the year and met with staff from the school, city, police, college, and local agencies. They also visited the city and participated in several Huntington Beach Human Relations Task Force meetings. The city mayor and represen- tatives from the school board, police, local agencies, and Human Relations Task Force were so impressed by their success that they each attended their OC HUMAN RELATIONS graduation to congratulate them on their success ASSOCIATES PROGRAM COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP TRAINING Year-long Internship Program Helps Students Organize In Their Schools OC Human Relations worked in La Colonia Independencia Com- collaboration with Community Ac- munity Center and they are cur- The Human Relations Associates tion Partnership to empower com- rently working to improve traffic, Program (HRAP) is a year-long munity residents that participated implement youth programs, and internship that provides advanced in the OC Human Relations Com- promote residents’ participation human relations training to a diverse munity Leadership Training. Resi- in the community center projects. cross-section of Orange County dents worked to improve neigh- youth. Students meet monthly to borhood living conditions through In Placentia residents worked to discuss social justice issues, learn specific projects in their communities. strengthen the Melrose Elemen- new skills and develop workshops tary School PTA and improve ac- and community presentations. HRAP In Anaheim, residents worked cess for families at local parks. members are expected to take the with the City Neighborhood Ser- skills learned back to their schools to vices Department to install more In Fullerton residents