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Human Relations Commission

Minutes of Regular Meeting
March 6, 2003
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The Human Relations Commission of the City of Los Angeles met for its monthly meeting on Thursday, March 6, 2003, at 10:00 a.m., 200 N. Spring St., City Hall Room 1050, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

1. Approval of Minutes from February 6, 2003

The Minutes were not approved due to lack of a quorum

2. Commission Roll Call Commissioners introduced themselves.

3. President’s Report (Lorraine Bradley)

President Bradley first noted that the organizations that will be receiving grants from the Commission are present today to discuss in detail their upcoming programs. President Bradley also mentioned Youth Think, which offers a program called Civic Actions Through Art in the schools, and extended an invitation to members of the Commission to attend one of their next presentations.

4. Executive Director’s Report (Rabbi Allen Freehling)

Rabbi Freehling postponed his report to later on in the meeting, as additional time given to special guest presentations. He also informed Commissioners about the loss of Deputy City Attorney Anthony Alperin who presented before the board of Human Relations Commissioners at the February meeting. Tony passed away on Wednesday of last week. Condolences have been sent on behalf of the Commission and Staff.

On a different note, Rabbi Freehling announced the re-appointment of Leni Boorstin to the Commission. She was one of the most popular members among the Commission and members of the staff. Due to her popularity, her re-appointment was requested and she will be re-joining the Commission.

Rabbi Freehling introduced Eric Brown, the new liaison to the Mayor’s office.

5. Presentation by Deputy Mayor Eric Brown

Eric Brown first acknowledged the Commissioners for their time and effort. He went on to introduce himself to the Commission as the newly appointed Deputy Mayor overlooking this Commission.

In addition, he noted that he has been with the Mayor for about eight years. Prior to that he was a field representative with Mark Ridley Thomas. Mr. Brown stated that his work with the Mayor began in 1992 by serving as the Area Coordinator at the City Attorney’s office where he was promoted to a Special Assistant. He ran the Mayor’s campaign for the L.A area, and subsequently became the Mayor’s Special Assistant over looking two departments. In his current position as the Human Services Deputy Mayor Brown overlooks eight departments.

These departments include this Commission as well as the Department of Aging, Department on the Status of Women, Cultural Affairs, L.A Sports Arena, the Coliseum and Community Development. Mr. Brown also introduced Shannon Jefferson who is his assistant. He indicated that he is in direct contact with Rabbi Freehling and acts as a liaison between this Commission and the Mayor’s office.

President Bradley expressed her concern for the pending appointments of four more Commissioners. Mr. Brown stated that they are still working on this particular matter and will make this issue a high priority. Commissioner Steinberg asked if the Mayor has appointed Advisors to the Commission. Rabbi Freehling replied that the Mayor has not yet appointed any advisors. Furthermore, there are some members of the City Council who have been reminded several times of the need to appoint their Advisors.

Mr. Brown asked the Commissioners to feel free to submit names for Advisors, and gave out his phone number and e-mail information: 213 / 978-0634 -- ebrown@mayor.lacity.org

Executive Director’s Report (Rabbi Allen Freehling) Continued:

Rabbi Freehling continued his remarks and stated that DONE is holding the neighborhood Congress event on Saturday April 5, 2003. However, since one of the staff members is getting married on April 6th the entire staff will be leaving that weekend to attend her weeding in Pebble Beach. This is an opportunity for any commissioners who would like to volunteer some time and attend the congress along with some volunteers and interns who will attend on behalf of the Human Relations Office. The main function would be to hand out brochures and answer any questions that may come up.

In addition, Rabbi Freehling asked if any of the commissioners would like to be involved in presenting the Human Relations Award at the LAPD graduations to let him know privately.

6. Presentation by Camillo Cruz, Los Angeles Superior Courts

Mr. Cruz introduced himself as the Director of Community Relations for the L.A Superior Court. He spoke about the Diversity Council, which was established last year to bring together administrators and judicial officers to assess the effectiveness of services provided to such a diverse community, and to identify some key barriers.

The diversity council is working on two levels external and internal. Mr. Cruz stated that he is in charge of the external part of the diversity council, which brings in people from the outside to assist in developing community needs assessment.

As such, Human Relations Staff members were asked to participate in a focus group, which also included seventeen other agencies. Their assistance was primarily needed to identify access to justice and what it means to them, identify areas of need for services and provide ideas on how to structure future dialogues regarding access to diversity. The Human Relations Staff led the discussions since they are the experts on facilitating and mediating such events. It was also important to have someone from the outside lead the discussion to avoid any bias or personal interests. A draft report is currently in the approval process. Some of the apparent findings indicated issues such as fair administration of fee waivers, people being treated with respect by judges and clerks, legal representation for people who do not have it, and interpreters providing quality services. These types of issues have been explored in the past. However, this is aimed at focusing the study on the L.A local level.

Mr. Cruz stated that based on the finding it appears that the court system does a poor job at making people aware of the services available through the court system. There are a number of services and resources available, of which the public is not aware. Once the report is approved it will be shared with the staff. Based on the findings it was agreed that there will be continuous work with the Human Relation Staff in the future to set up focus groups in various neighborhoods and create a net work of service providers in order to create solutions. Currently, there is a need to address some fundamental issues, which can be especially difficult in light of the current budget crisis.

Mr. Cruz expressed gratitude for the excellent work of Human Relations Staff members Patricia Villaseñor, Gary De La Rosa and Emily Williams in the facilitation of these dialogues. Finally, Mr. Cruz encouraged the commission to review a statewide report released in October titled The Path to Equal Justice. It is a fiveyear status report on access to justice in California. It discusses most of the issues that were brought up on a local level with a few more details. Rabbi Freehling requested a copy of this state report to be sent to the HRC office so that the Commissioners can have access to it. Also, he asked for permission for the Commissioners to review the focus group report once it is approved. Mr. Cruz indicated his willingness to make both reports available to the Commission.

Commissioner Hussain asked if there is any liaison or entities at the Federal court such as Immigration addressing these issues. In reply, Mr. Cruz stated that they do work with Federal Courts on a community level only. On March 25th, for instance, they will be hosting a clergy council where members of different denominations can discuss some of the issues being brought up by their clergy. One of the hot issues in this environment is immigration. Thus, INS Federal Judges will be present to address ways of handling these issues.

Commissioner Hussain also asked in terms of outreach if organizations such as South Asian-Americans, Chinese-Americans are being utilized to further penetrate communities. Mr. Cruz answered that it has been established that the court needs to work harder at involving these different organizations.

7. Presentation by representatives from Asian Pacific American Dispute Resolution Center, Inquilinos Unidos and National Conference for Community and Justice

I - National Conference for Community and Justice Presentation (NCCJ)

Members of the NCCJ introduced themselves and thanked the Commission for the opportunity to participate. Fran Spears, Executive Director of NCCJ, began by offering a brief overview of the history and purpose of NCCJ. She stated that NCCJ is a 75-year-old organization with a mission to fight bias, bigotry, and racism. It works to promote respect and understand across cultures and religions. Further, Ms. Spears spoke about the “Together as One” program that is being funded by the Commission. The program works towards transforming communities by empowering leaders through education, knowledge, awareness, skills and tools. The program is divided into components that are essential for self-awareness and strong encouragement for people to take action towards making society more just and equitable.

Sergio Marin spoke about the first component of the program, which is a sixweek training that consists of five evenings and one weekend retreat. The program provides a safe space for people to dialogue about issues of diversity. Through this process they can explore the following questions: Who am I? Who are others? Who are we as a group? Mr. Marin indicated that the program explores difficult issues regarding race, gender, and immigration status. At the end of the program participants leave with a greater selfawareness and a much more complete understanding of diversity. In addition, participants also leave with a much stronger commitment for action toward a just society.

Diane Burbie presented the second component of the program, which looks at specific sets of tools and skills that are helpful for taking actions towards building relationships across diversity, mainly conflict resolution skills. The program provides skills and tools around three different aspects:

Direct party in a conflict

Observers of a brewing conflict who want to initiate activity that will bring conflict directly to the forefront and allow all to come to the process.

Intermediary where the individuals can use their passion and skill to open the lines of communication and reestablish an opportunity for people to use their diversity as a bridge rather than a divide.

Ms. Burbie clarified that the program is not a violence prevention or mediation program. It was discovered that along with self-awareness, if one is also equipped with these tools they feel empowered and in a better position to act as change agents in the community. Moreover, Ms. Burbie stated that there are 120 slots for persons that will go through the process. This group will be a microcosm of what the city of Los Angeles represents. The goal is to have the diversity that one may not encounter otherwise. As such, the group will be diverse in terms of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, ages, the geography in which they come from and immigration experiences. In addition, members of the city department for Los Angeles and businesses will also be included in the group. The desire is to insure that the 120 persons allow people to build allies and relationships in confronting the difficult issues through human encounter rather than the theoretical explanation.

Ms. Spears also clarified the definition of leadership. She stated that NCCJ recognizes that people from all walks of life with knowledge, skills and tools can become leaders with the ability to impact their community. Commissioner Steinberg questioned how the recruitment process works. In response Ms. Burbie explained that the recruitment process unfolds in several ways. For instance, one way is to involve Commissions and their staff to identify city departments and employees who will participate. Other ways include outreach through community-based organizations, schools and neighborhood councils. It is a very personalized outreach and directed to encourage people to see the long-term partnership and investment and not just the short -term program.

Commissioner Hussain asked if this has been done anywhere else.

Ms. Burbie replied that this is a pilot project in bringing these efforts together. Prior to that there were two different programs. One was directed as human relations awareness and the other was a conflict resolution program. This is the first time that these two programs have been coupled together. In response to some questions regarding the terms and length of the programs, Mr. Marino explained that the end of May is currently the targeted date. This will allow time for development and outreach. He also stated that this is a one-time program for the time being.

II - Asian Pacific American Dispute Resolution Center Presentation (APADRC)

Najeeba Syeed-Miller, Executive Director of The Asian Pacific American Dispute Resolution Center, and Daniel Huang, staff member in charge of the Youth Program, greeted the Commission and thanked them for the opportunity to work in collaboration with the Commission. Ms. Syeed-Miller began by stating that part of APADRC mission is to address human relations and race relations by improving them through collaboration with other community partners. The focus of the work is on complex cross cultural community conflicts. For the most part, there is also a focus on conflict resolution for schools and surrounding communities.

APADRC has been providing peer mediation at a local high school near USC for almost seven years. The program processes about 80 cases a year, 67 cases of the 80 end up with a written resolution. In addition, the APADRC is co-implementing a similar program at Gardena High school, and a number of schools in Korea Town. The program targets Title One schools, which are primarily low-income schools where the population is highly diverse and is in need of such assistance.

The goals of the Conflict Resolution Education Program proposed by the APADRC are as follows:

Create a safe environment that encourages learning for all members of school community.

Empower youth with the knowledge and skills to think about and resolve conflict in a productive and cooperative manner.

Encourage and support peaceful conflict resolution in the school community and the community at large.

Teach youth human relations skills that will improve their daily interactions in school, neighborhood and community.

Prevent youth violence through the implementation of a system that will reduce conflicts on campus.

Reduce school disciplinary suspensions, as mediation becomes an alternative.

The entire school staff should go through the conflict resolution training. The APADRC uses a model called Peaceable Schools that includes training the administrators, parents and community based organizations within the school environment.

In summary, Ms. Syeed-Miller stated that the scope of the program includes a peer mediation program, neighborhood conflict resolution and a conflict resolution intervention team that the school develops as a part of the contract.

Commissioner Steinberg inquired about the source of the funding provided by our commission to these programs. Rabbi Freehling explained that there is some discretionary money in our budget to provide funding through the RFP process. Based on the interviews made by staff and the president of the Commission only a few were selected out of the eight applications that were originally submitted. Commissioner Hussain asked if there is a special focus on Asian Pacific communities. In reply, Ms. Syeed-Miller clarified that the APADRC is publicly funded thus the organization is open to anyone. Initially APADRC was established in 1989 to insure that dispute resolution services for adults were offered in Asian and Pacific Islander languages. However, after the 1992 civil unrest the organization was very involved in building relationships between the Asian and African American communities. The youth programs especially are reflective of a broad base diversity initiative to educate students of all backgrounds. Rabbi Freehling inquired about the school selection process. Ms. Syeed-Miller responded that schools are selected through invitation and word of mouth from past students who have been in the program. The focus is going to be on middle schools, where most of the conflicts tend to originate. She further stated that the APADRC is open to working with the Commission to see the direction they are interested in pursuing.

Commissioner Steinberg asked if APADRC overlaps with the NCCJ conflict resolution program. President Bradley clarified that this program is a different population since it only focuses on middle school. Rabbi Freehling noted that based on his contact with the newly elected City Councilmembers, they have expressed the need to interact with the HRC staff with respect to conflicts with the schools and their local districts. This particular project presents to the community at large a working model. Rabbi Muskin asked about the length of time for this project. Ms. Syeed-Miller replied that this is a six month project. The idea is to train ten staff members for the minimum of 25 hours required under the California Dispute Resolution Act. This training will allow them to take ownership of the program and continue the implementation process. Ms. Borstin asked how the community component would be covered under the program. Daniel Huang addressed the question by stating that the school is an embodiment of the community. Most of the conflicts in the school are reflective of the community. It is important that the adults surrounding the children reflect the conflict resolution skills taught to the student. For this reason the training and workshops are offered to teachers, parents, and the community surrounding the school. This is a model that is currently being applied at Camino Nuevo. The program operates under the mantra of “by reaching out to more adults, the more successful the program”.

Rabbi Muskin asked how the program intends to involve the parents. Ms. Syeed-Miller stated that the partnership with the school is key. Schools are expected to take ownership of the program. Thus, the schools become the interface with the parents through various methods. The APADR will work with the school to identify the possible points of contacts with the parents, and the ways to bring the training to the parents.

III - Inquilinos Unidos Presentation

Mr. Jose Garcia began by thanking the Commission for the opportunity to work together on the program. He also introduced himself as the Executive Director of Inquilinos Unidos or United Tenants. Moreover, he explained that this is a non-profit organization that provides tenant rights education, tenant organizing and intervention services to empower the immigrant population in Los Angeles to fight for better housing condition. Mr. Garcia went on to say that the organization addresses issues of slum housing, illegal eviction, rent gouging, discrimination and tenant harassment. In addition, the organization also serves as advocates for the preservation of expansion of low-income housing and rent control. Some of the services provided are tenant rights education, tenant-landlord intervention, dispute resolution, tenant organizing and leadership development, information and technical support to LAHD inspectors, one to one counseling and consultations, referral services and collaboration with other stake holders. Inquilinos Unidos has been working with tenants for over fifteen years and has focused in the areas of Pico Union, Echo Park, Boyle Heights, East Los Angeles, Pacoima, San Fernando, South Central Los Angeles and parts of Hollywood.

Some of the current programs provided through Inquilinos Unidos are:

1. Rent Escrow Account Program (REAP), which is a tenant outreach program that informs and educates renters about the rent escrow account program, which targets sub-standard buildings and provides financial incentives for bringing the buildings up to code.

2. Another program that works in conjunction with REAP is the Systematic Code Enforcement Program, which provides information for tenants on obtaining repairs in their apartments.

3. Family Development Network Program (FDN) provides one to one counseling, consultation and referral services.

Mr. Garcia elaborated on the Tenant Group Empowerment Training Project that is being supported through the HRC. He explained that in Los Angeles thousands of tenants are currently living in sub-standards and uninhabitable living conditions. Many of these tenants also confront discrimination and harassment based on race, ethnicity, language, sexual orientation, age, disability and income. Economic and shortage of housing created overcrowding. With this density and deterioration of the housing situation comes increase levels of inter-group and community tensions. To combat the situation, Inquilions Unidos will implement a multifaceted training program in tenants’ rights that includes conflict resolution skills and leadership development, as well as facilitating positive inter-group relations. The goal is to give tenants the capacity to improve housing conditions through education and organization.

Tenants will learn the following aspects:

Fair housing rights and laws

How to identify discriminatory practices

Use of resources

Leadership and organizing skills

Strategies of individual and group action

Teamwork and collaboration

Conflict resolution

Community engagement with other tenants, CBOs, housing advocates and other community resources.

Working with government agencies such as LAHD, City Council and HRC.

Governmental policies on housing to bring in the bigger picture with respect to housing issues

The process is broken into the following six components:

1. Education presentation: will begin at schools, churches, and community based organizations. Information will be provided on local and state fair housing laws and rights. Also, it will offer an opportunity for open group dialogue, mutual support and potential group action. Tenants will be taught to identify discriminatory, illegal or improper practices and encouraged to work as a team. This is also used as an introduction to conflict resolution strategies.

2. Follow-up training: This is conflict resolution skills and communication training.

3. Site presentations: This will present a particular housing issue on site in a group setting. It is a great tool because it addresses and creates repairs as well as creates a real investment in the community that builds leadership.

4. Legal clinics: This component is an individual as well as group consultation and follow-up.

5. Landlord mediation: This gives an opportunity to identify shared objectives between tenants and landlords.

6. Identification of leaders and candidates for organizing when and if applicable: This component will allow for the creation of tenant organizing committees which are made up of on-going active participants in addressing housing issues and community concerns.

Finally, Mr. Garcia stated that the program would be implemented in Council Districts One, Thirteen and Fourteen. Depending on the available capacity, the program may also be provided in Districts Eight and Nine.

Commissioner Muskin stated that it is very impressive that the HRC is spending funds on such programs that are promoting human relations in grass root organizations. Rabbi Freehling also commented that the next strategic step for the HRC is to initiate contacts with social justice organizations. In addition, Rabbi Freehling clarified that each one of these programs is getting between $30,000 to $40,000 of funding. Rabbi Muskin also inquired about how these organizations found out about the availability of the funds. In response, Rabbi Freehling indicated that the HRC staff network is very extensive. For the most part it was by word of mouth through the contacts that our team has met with most organizations in the city. There was also a question of the possibility or benefits in putting together a book on the various organizations by category to be used as a directory. Both Commissioner Steinberg and Mr. Piña addressed the question by acknowledging that there is a directory book that is put out by Los Angeles County.

8. Discussion and Adoption of Items carried over from the previous meeting; e.g., establishing the Board of Advisors as a Standing Committee, adopting a Sub-Committee Structure, changing the regular scheduled meeting time from 10 am 10 10:15 am, etc.

President Bradley stated that since there is no quorum this item would be carried over for the next meeting. Commissioner Steinberg expressed his interest in being a part of the Advisors Committee once it is formed. President Bradley replied that there is no formal activity because the staff is still working on setting up a format, which will take about a month.

Commissioner Steinberg asked if he could be a part of the formulation process with staff. Again, President Bradley indicated that this would take about a month before the formulation stages are available. Commissioner Steinberg thanked the Commission for making accommodations of changing the meeting time to 10:15.

Commissioner Steinberg inquired about any developments as far as working with the LAUSD. Rabbi Freehling explained that these plans first had to wait until the school administration take their actions, school board opinion, and the elections completed on Tuesday in anticipation that some members of the school board may be replaced. At this current time, we are conferring with members of the staff if we can at this point go forward in terms of a formal presentation at LAUSD. Commissioners will than be brought into the loop of when it is appropriate that we go public.

9. Consideration of a Request for Endorsement of a Youth Public Education Campaign from the County of Los Angeles Commission on Human Relations

Item carried over to the next meeting.

10. Distribution of Statement of Economic Interests Forms to Commissioners

Ms. Sears passed out the statement to the Commissioners. Meanwhile, Rabbi Freehling praised Ms. Sears’ work and applauded her efforts in carrying on the extra workload, which is beyond the normal call of duty.

11. Recommendations by the Public

No public comments were made.

12. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 11:50 a.m.