1. FY10 Projects from the Office of Somerville Commissions Overview of the Office of Somerville Commissions Supports the Health Department with outreach to marginalized, special, or vulnerable communities Supports commissions with processing violations of rights, acting on their mission and priorities, and raising awareness on key issues. Supports community and City allies to bridge programs and collaborate to meet the needs of marginalized, special, or vulnerable communities LGBT Liaison outreaches to youth and young adults, supports GSA at the High School, works on policy and key issues, and raises awareness.

2. FY10 Projects from the Office of Somerville Commissions Somerville Commissions  Health Dept Commissions: –Human Rights Commission –Commission for Women –Multicultural Affairs Commission –LGBT Liaison  Commissions increase civic engagement  Commissions identify highest priorities, key issues, challenges, and best practices  Commissioners are charged by their ordinances to bring issues & policies to Somerville leaders  The Human Rights Commission and the Commission for Women protect rights. Complaints can be brought to the commission’s attention, investigations will be conducted on cases where the commission finds there is enough information indicating a person or group’s rights were violated. The Commission, specific to the rights, call a hearing and make a finding of a violation and submit to the MA Commission Against Discrimination. Protecting Rights

3. FY10 Projects from the Office of Somerville Commissions Somerville Commissions Commissions hold events to raise awareness in the community on important issues Human Rights Commission: –Monthly Immigrant/Police Dialogue Sessions –Know Your Rights Workshops –Annual January Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration Event Commission for Women: –Jumprope-a-thon for Kids –March Women’s History Reception –October Candlelight Vigil for Domestic Violence Awareness –Women’s Health Workshops for Women in their 40’s Raising Awareness

4. FY10 Projects from the Office of Somerville Commissions Somerville Community Health Outreach Public health outreach for emergencies and urgent issues overcoming language barriers Multi-lingual communication segments on television, phone, web, radio & with trusted community allies Includes Health Department and Community Ally partnership Pilot project focuses on H1N1 and Flu Health Focus Groups for each pilot language working in April & May Presentation of program and focus group results will be in May/June Modeled on Minnesota ECHO Somerville Community Health Outreach Pilot Project

5. FY10 Projects from the Office of Somerville Commissions Snow Removal Committee Formed to improve sidewalk access by promoting positive community outreach for shoveling and safe walking in winter Sponsored by the Human Rights Commission Partners: Office of Somerville Commissions, Walk Boston, Tufts Medical Center/Injury Prevention, the Human Rights Commission, the Commission for Women, Commission for People with Disabilities, ADA Coordinator, Health Department, Communications Department, and Somerville residents

6. FY10 Projects from the Office of Somerville Commissions “How to…” Series for Civic Engagement Commissions Workshops Series: one-hour informational for both supporters and newly interested (March 27, May 22, and July 31) Booklets: “Commissions Intro” and “Commissioner Manuals” Web: new recruitment slides, info booklets and information on commissions’ happenings Upcoming: television shows on how people engage for policy, issues, and community improvement

7. FY10 Projects from the Office of Somerville Commissions Somerville Commissions History Archival Project A collection of interviews, documents, objects of importance reflecting on the purpose of commissions and community involvement Tufts Interns conducting video and audio cassette interviews of commissioners, former staff, and key community leaders Archival document research Collecting stories on specific incidents or cases of key importance Exhibit to be created in late April Exhibit Reception in May