Been discriminated against? Learn about complaint process at new outreach program with HRC

EVANSVILLE —  Community members will have the chance to interact with Evansville-Vanderburgh County Human Relations Commission staff throughout the city during the months of August and September. 

The Human Relations Commission has started a community outreach initiative called “HRC in the Community” in an effort to raise awareness on equal opportunity and discriminatory practices and to provide access to its complaint filing service.

There will be staff on hand from 4-6 p.m. on the dates of the event to discuss the complaint process if a resident believes they have dealt with discrimination in housing, employment, education or public accommodations. 

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In August, staff will be at Central Library on Tuesdays (Aug. 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31) and Knight Township on Wednesdays (Aug. 4, 11, 18 and 25.)

In September, staff will set up at Aurora on Wednesdays (Sept. 1, 8, 15 and 22) and the C.K. Newsome Community Center Tuesdays (Sept. 7, 14, 21 and 28.)

Any updates on locations, dates and times can be found on the Commission Facebook page. 

According to a release from the Human Relations Commission, the initiative is designed to assist residents through the complaint filing process while also educating them on fair housing and equal opportunity employment rights. 

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The city and county both have ordinances in place which make it unlawful to discriminate in the areas of employment, housing, education or public accommodation on the basis of a person’s race, sex, color, religion, disability, ancestry, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or familial status (housing).

“Our objective is to assist those most affected by the pandemic by making our services available at various locations,” stated Diane Clements-Boyd, Executive Director of the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Human Relations Commission. “So many people have lost jobs and are experiencing the devastation of eviction. We want to make our services available to those experiencing discrimination in the midst of it all.”

All services are free and will take place at the locations listed. Complaints can also be filed at the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Human Relations Commission located at the Civic Center Complex. More information can be found by visiting the city's website.