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Home My WebLink About2024 OHR Annual Reviewwww.icgov.org/humanrights YEAR IN REVIEW January 2024 - December 2024 Human Rights Commission Doug Kollasch - Chair Kelsey Paul Shantz- Vice Chair Idriss Abdullahi Emily Harkin Roger Lusala Jahnavi Pandya Mark Pries Viana Qadoura Elizabeth Mendez-Shannon Human Rights Staff Stefanie Bowers - Coordinator Kristin Watson - Investigator Madison Tarbox - Comm. Assistant "WHERE, AFTER ALL, DO UNIVERSAL HUMAN RIGHTS BEGIN? IN SMALL PLACES, CLOSE TO HOME." – ELEANOR ROOSEVELT Pictured on the cover is commission chair, Doug Kollasch, and Award recipient, Ellen McCabe, accepting for The Housing Trust Fund of Johnson County at the 2024 Human Rights Awards. 2 3 THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION The Iowa City Human Rights Commission was established in 1963, and its primary duty is to promote and protect human rights within the community. Specifically, the Commission works to address discrimination and ensure equal access in the areas of credit, housing, employment, public accommodations, and education. It also provides education and advocacy to ensure that all people, regardless of their race, gender, religion, disability, or other protected status, are treated with dignity and respect. Pictured (second row from left): Mark Pries, Viana Qadoura, Elizabeth Mendez-Shannon, Jahnavi Pandya, Roger Lusala; (first row from left) Kelsey Paul Shantz, Doug Kollasch. Not Pictured: Idriss Abdullahi, Emily Harkin Committees As of 2024, the Iowa City Human Rights Commission had three active subcommittees. These subcommittees played a crucial role in advancing the Commission's mission to promote and protect human rights within the community. Breaking Bread: Bringing people together to learn from one another and practice creating community across previous lines of tension. Reciprocal Relationships: Developing deeper relationships with other community organizations, including nonprofits, government commissions, and schools. Bridging the Gap: Developing stronger individual and collective relationships with the City Council. Sponsorships In 2024 the Commission was able to provide financial assistance to the following events: Coralville Asian Festival Johnson County United Nations Association’s Human Rights: Engagement into Action THE OFFICE OF HUMAN RIGHTS Fair Housing Housing is a basic need, and the ability to access housing without discrimination is a right to which all people should have access. In 1968, recognizing the great damage that housing discrimination can do to individuals, families and communities, Congress passed the Fair Housing Act to prohibit discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin or sex. The Act was later amended to include disability and family status and continues today to be a critical tool in combating discrimination. Employment Access to fair employment is a cornerstone of economic opportunity. When workplace discrimination occurs, it can deeply impact individuals and families. The Office of Human Rights works to combat employment discrimination and ensure that all individuals are treated fairly in the workplace. The office upholds laws such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment discrimination and retaliation based on race, color, sex, religion, and national origin. Public Accommodations Everyone has the right to access public spaces free from discrimination. Under Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, it is illegal to discriminate based on race, color, religion, or national origin in places of public accommodation— including hotels, restaurants, theaters, and other spaces open to the public. Education Equal access to education is fundamental to individual growth and opportunity. Discrimination in schools can limit a student’s potential and contribute to long-term harm. The office works to ensure that all students—regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or religion—have the right to learn in an environment that is free from discrimination. Credit Credit discrimination limits access to financial tools that are essential for personal and economic growth. When individuals are unfairly denied credit, it can prevent them from buying a home, pursuing education, starting a business, or managing unexpected expenses. Enforcing fair lending laws helps ensure that all qualified applicants have a fair chance to participate in the economy. The Human Rights Office serves as a guiding force for equality within our community. By enforcing local, state, and federal anti-discrimination laws, the office helps uphold the promise of fair treatment for all. The work focuses on protecting and advancing the civil and human rights of every individual—especially those who are most vulnerable. The Human Rights Office is committed to addressing discrimination and ensuring accountability for violations of discrimination laws. The City’s Human Rights Ordinance protects individuals from discrimination based on the following characteristics: age, color, creed, disability, familial status, gender identity, marital status, national origin, presence or absence of dependents, source of income derived from public assistance, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation. 4 HUMAN RIGHTS GRANT Each year, the City offers Human Rights Grants to organizations that are working to: 1.Build community capacity to organize around human rights issues. 2.Strengthen the ability to mobilize communities in support of human rights. 3.Educate the public on human rights by organizing and facilitating public forums that cover a wide range of related topics The Commission plays a vital role in recommending organizations for funding based on their impact and efforts in promoting human rights. These grants support initiatives that raise community awareness and strengthen advocacy. They are a key way the City actively invests in advancing human rights at the local levell. 2024 Human Rights Grant Recipients* Better Together Community Development Corporation CommUnity Crisis Center Domestic Violence Intervention Program Eastern Iowa Chapter of Asian Pacific American Public Affairs Escucha Mi Voz Iowa Houses Into Homes Indigenous Art Alliance Inside Out Reentry Community Open Heartland United Action for Youth Wright House of Fashion 1-3. Wright House of Fashion Summer 2024 educational workshops 4-6. Houses into Homes kitchen starter sets prepared for donation 7-8. Inside Out Reentry Community’s Creative Collective art workshops for members of their reentry program *Previously known as RESJ Grant. 5 OUTREACH AND EDUCATION Fair Housing Training Greater Iowa City Apartment Association Tenant’s Rights Workshop Community Members Disability & Fair Housing Lunch & Learn Housing Providers 34th Annual ADA Celebration Community Members The Office provides a range of informational presentations and training sessions designed to educate the community on important issues related to the City’s Human Rights Ordinance. These sessions cover a variety of topics, such as: Fair Housing: Educating individuals and organizations about their rights and responsibilities related to housing, including protections against discrimination in renting, buying, and lending. Unlawful Discrimination: Providing information about what constitutes unlawful discrimination, including discrimination based on race, gender, disability, religion, and other protected categories, and how individuals and organizations can prevent it and address violations. Educational efforts play a crucial role in raising awareness by empowering individuals with knowledge. As communities become more informed about their rights and responsibilities, they are better equipped to advocate for themselves and participate more confidently in civic and social life. 6 THE LENS WEBINAR SERIES AND NEWSLETTER The Lens Webinar Series and Monthly Newsletter serve as key platforms for fostering community engagement and connection. They provide intentional spaces where participants can share insights, explore critical issues, and build collective knowledge. 7 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT At the heart of the Commission’s work is the facilitation of dialogue and meaningful engagement. Through strategic collaboration and outreach, the Commission fosters connections that support informed decision-making and drive impactful, community- centered initiatives. 1.Pries and Lusala celebrate Juneteenth 2. Commissioners table during Indigenous Peoples’ Day 3.Commissioners and Staff meet with delegates from the country of Georgia 4. Pries and Qadoura attend the Welcome Festival Intercultural Celebration 5. Commissioners work on their strategic plan 6. Abdullahi tables for Mental Health Day 7. Qadoura and Mendez-Shannon host a Meet and Greet 8. Abdullahi speaks at the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund benefit 9. Qadoura tables during the Health and Safety Expo 8 CEREMONIES Each year, the Commission hosts two distinct events: an Awards Breakfast to honor individuals and organizations whose efforts have significantly contributed to community well-being, and a Youth Awards Dinner to recognize the achievements of young people. Both events celebrate contributions that expand opportunities and strengthen connections across local communities. Human Rights Award 2024 Honorees (first row from left): Deb Dunkhase, Grace Pulido, Emma G. Anderson, Lynette Jacoby, Ellen McCabe, Leonard Sandler. Youth Human Rights Award 2024 Recipients (alphabetical order): Nahomi Andino Izaguirre, ZairaAhmad, Nathan Chen, Mira Gibbons, Lillian Graham, Dexter Hanna, Emma Hong, Israel Johnson, Aaron Kang, Jules Keranen, Kamakshee Kuchhal, Jerry Li, Jeremiah Medema, Alexander Moss, Amaris Rodriguez, Kalea Seaton, Jack Sun, Thomas Tong, Olive Ubeda, Elinor Weitz, Sidney Westgard, Anne Wilmoth, Laila Zastrow, Alisa Zhou, Sonya Zhu. 9 COLLABORATIONS Both the Office and the Commission actively collaborate with community partners on a wide range of topics and initiatives. By working closely with local organizations, advocacy groups, and City departments, the Office and Commission amplify community voices and develop solutions that are centered on local needs. These partnerships not only broaden the impact of the efforts but also ensure that initiatives are shaped by the real experiences of those most affected, resulting in work that is more effective, responsive, and sustainable. 10 GOALS TRACKING 0 200 400 600 800 1000 Attendees 958 1000 FY 2023 FY 2024 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 Programs 28 28 FY 2023 FY 2024 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 Social Media Subscribers News Releases Listserve Subscribers 1346 1499 117 123 1888 2346 FY 2023 FY 2024 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 Program Collaborations Public Events 4 14 3 14 Community Engagement Metrics Measuring programs, workshops, and tools that advance City and community goals related to human rights. Public Outreach Impact Measuring Office and Commission outreach and engagement with communities to improve access and participation. Participation Statistics Evaluating joint efforts with City divisions and local organizations to connect with the entire community. 11 100 RECOGNIZING COMMITMENT. EMBRACING THE FUTURE. Ahmed Ismail Jahnavi Pandya Follow us on Instagram!@ichumanrights@ichumanrights Connect with us Get info on upcoming programs and events in our monthly newsletter.icgov.org/Subscribe Outgoing Commissioners Chair Kollasch recognized the dedication and service of the following commissioners, whose terms concluded in 2024: Ahmed Ismail Sylvia Jons (not pictured) Jahnavi Pandya 2025 and Beyond As we build on the momentum of past accomplishments, the Office and Commission remain committed to deepening impact in the year ahead. Plans are underway to launch new initiatives, expand community partnerships, and continue advancing our shared mission. We are deeply grateful to the City departments, community members, partner organizations, and dedicated supporters who participate in our meetings, contribute to our efforts, and help drive meaningful, lasting change. "The future depends on what we do in the present." — Mahatma Gandhi