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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity - 05/10/2018 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION THURSDAY, MAY 10, 2018 7:00 P.M., EDEN PRAIRIE CENTER Office of Housing and Community Services COMMISSION MEMBERS: Sana Elassar(Chair), Greg Leeper, (Vice Chair), Joan Howe-Pullis, Katherine Lucht, Ann Martinka, Shahram Missaghi, Leslie Philmon, Rehmatbai Sumra STUDENT MEMBERS: Ashwin Senthilkumar, Carolyn Mason, Kholood Mo'allim, Mason Stoltz, Meghana Chimata, Tharun Rao COMMISSION STAFF: Megan Yerks, Staff Liaison Julie Krull, Recording Secretary Prior to calling the meeting to order Megan Yerks introduced Janet Jeremiah, Eden Prairie Community Development Director, who will be filling in for her when she is on maternity leave. Chair Elassar thanked Molly Koivumaki for her work on the Commission as she retired this year. Chair Elassar also thanked the student members for their work on the Commission this year and gave recognition to the students whose term ended this year. I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chair Elassar called the meeting to order at 7:18 p.m. Commission Members Lucht, Philmon and Student Member Stoltz were absent. II. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS The following guest was in attendance; Molly Patil, Family Resource Specialist with the Eden Prairie School District. IIII. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Leeper moved, seconded by Howe-Pullis, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 6-0. IV. APPROVAL OF THE APRIL 19, 2018 MINUTES MOTION: Martinka moved, seconded by Missaghi, to approve the April 2018 minutes. Motion carried 6-0. HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY MINUTES May 10, 2018 Page 2 V. LOCAL NON-PROFIT PRESENTATION Molly Patil, Family Resource Specialist with the Eden Prairie School District, came to talk to the Commission about how she works with families and supports the school district. She stated the goal of the program is to connect students and families to resources in the community and that 100% of this program is grant funded. The emphasis is on early intervention and family links. The program was originally located in the FamiliLink Resource Center located at Eden Prairie Center. The present location is housed out of the Eden Prairie Education Center. Patil said she is responsible for maintaining online inventory of resources, connecting individuals to these resources and bringing partners together to fill gaps through Community Engagement Impact Council (CEIC). Below is the list of community gaps in service and what this program offers: 1. Transportation • Busing to Preschool and EPIC Summer School • SW Prime Passes 2. Knowledize of Available Programs and Services • Community Engagement Impact Council—website: www.edenpr.or__/f�yresources. The website includes such items as calendar of City events and the Community Resources Database • Awareness through the E-newsletter 3. Educational Equity/Achievement Gaps • Community Education's Early Childhood Programs consisting of out of school opportunities for students during the school year and summer EPIC camps. • Collaborative initiatives consisting of back to school supplies, Free Eagles study hour, and data sharing and community dialog. 4. Affordable Housinz • Connection to other agencies that can supply assistance. 5. English Lan_ug_age Supports & Culturally ppropriate Communication • There is a Somali Cultural Liaison and a Spanish Cultural Liaison at EPPS • Metro South Briarhill Partnership and New Family Literacy Program • Trying more face to face communication and phone calls. Chair Elassar pointed out some issues could be with phone calls as individuals may not have the minutes to communicate on phones so she thought face to face communication would be better. Howe-Pullis agreed that face to face communication would be a better option and also suggested leaving flyers at the door when no one is home. Mo'allim said in regards to students, it would be most beneficial to have communication by word of mouth and suggested focusing on youth to help with that. Leeper said he sees collaborations with viewing the Commission as a resource. HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY MINUTES May 10, 2018 Page 3 Sumra asked why there is a difference in programs offered at the elementary schools. Patil said all of the schools should have the same classes. She has not heard otherwise but said it could be based on registration numbers in regards to STEM classes. Patil pointed out all the grade schools should be teaching the same curriculum. Leeper asked if there was youth representation in these programs. Patil said it is low. Mo'allim and Chimata said they would be willing to get involved. VI. STAFF REPORT —Megan Yerks Yerks gave the following updates for Collaborative Events in Progress: A. Stop the Trafficking 5k Sponsors for this event are due by 5/15/18. They are still looking for donations such as small,healthy food items, 500+or what people are willing to donate. They are also looking for small giveaway items such as gift cards and local business merchandise. For marketing support, this event could be shared on Facebook on your personal page inviting friends, family and the community. There are discount codes available. $10 discount available for any interested group (2 or more) and 50% off for HRDC Commissioners. There are volunteer opportunities available such as packet pick up at the mall. This will be located at the Community Room on 6/7/2018 from 3 pm to 7 pm. and 4 volunteers are needed for this. Chair Elassar and Howe-Pullis said they will work all shifts. Leeper said he will work the 3-5 shift and Sumra said she will also work that shift. Volunteers will also be needed for Race Day. If you would like to volunteer sign-ups are done online. B. Community Connections at Briarhill The results of the survey program interests are as follows: Homework Help (all ages) Cooking classes (teens too) Sports class (basketball, soccer) English class (beginner and intermediate) Writing/Grammar/Conversational English Swimming (in general) Health class Self-defense class (was requested to be for women) Zumba Women's only swimming Math class (adult too) Computer Tech classes Financial class Safety class Mom's class (conversation/casual) Mental health/crisis planning HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY MINUTES May 10, 2018 Page 4 If anyone on the Commission would like to volunteer contact Briarhill directly. C. They Call Me Q This is a one woman show about a woman navigating live in a new culture. HTC would like to partner with the Commission on this. The date is still in the planning stage. Yerks addressed the following announcements: D. Adventures in Working Cross Culturally with Patricia This workshop will be held on Thursday, May 31, 2018 from 4 pm— 5:30 pm at the Eden Prairie Senior Center. This interactive training deals with challenges often encountered when working cross-culturally. Our background and cultural experience impacts our communication and effects our interaction and how we interpret what is happening in a situation. Whether it is working with co-workers, clients or neighbors, this training will give you a framework to approach others who have diverse life experiences and tools to navigate these cultural differences with respect,humor and curiosity. E. Commission Banquet This will be held on May 17th at 6 pm. Please RSVP to Megan. They are also looking for 5 participants from each Commission to play City Feud. Howe-Pullis, Martinka, Mason, Chimata and Leeper volunteered. F. Student Commissioners The deadline for referrals is May 21st. Applications are on the City Website. The term is from September to May and you must be a high school junior or senior living in Eden Prairie. VII. OLD BUSINESS There was no old business. VIII. NEW BUSINESS A. POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE UPDATE: COFFEE WITH A COP This event was postponed B. NAMI/HEART MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING UPDATE Chimata said flyers and banners will be put up at the high school for this event. It will be held on May 24th at 6 pm in the EPHS East Commons. On May 23rd there HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY MINUTES May 10, 2018 Page 5 will be a lead up to this at lunch time. Commissioners can come on May 20, for support and to hand out flyers. C. INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL UPDATE Yerks said the vendor application is still being finalized. D. Harvey Humes Memorial Service Howe-Pullis said this will take place at Pax Christi on Wednesday, May 16t" at 11 am, with visitation at 10 am. Howe-Pullis will get flowers from the Commission. IX. UPCOMING MEETING A. June 14, 2018 X. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Martinka moved, seconded by Leeper, to adjourn the Human Rights & Diversity Commission meeting. Motion carried 6-0. The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 pm.