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Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission

Monroe County Advisory Council
(also Serves Pike County)

 
 

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Meeting Schedule and Upcoming Events

 
PA Human Relations Commission News
 
Local Help for Victims of Discrimination

Do you feel that you were a victim of discrimination?  The Monroe County Advisory Council to the Pennsylvania Human Rights Commission will help you know your rights and file a legal complaint.  Council members and/or trained volunteers are available to answer your questions on the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month from 3-5 pm in the Board Room (1st Floor) of the Eastern Monroe Public Library at 1002 North Ninth Street in Stroudsburg, PA.  Our council meetings are also open to the public and held the 2nd Monday of every other month, next one in May, from 5:30-6:30 pm in the Loder Senior Center at 62 Analomink Street in East Stroudsburg, PA.  Visit our website for more details www.poconounity.org.  Complaints that occurred in our area may be filed with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission by contacting their regional office serving Monroe and Pike Counties at the Riverfront Office Center, 1101-1125 S. Front Street, 5th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17104-2515, Voice: (717) 787-9784 / Text Telephone (TT/TTY): (717) 787-7279. Visit their website for more information at http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/PHRC.
 
3/27/10

Holocaust Remembrance...The Hidden Children: A Community Event at the Pocono Community Theater

East Stroudsburg – The Pocono Community Theater will host a community event, “Holocaust Remembrance…The Hidden Children” on Thursday, April 8th, 7 – 9 p.m. and again on Sunday, April 11th, 7 – 9 p.m.  The Pocono Community Theater is located at 88 South Courtland Street, East Stroudsburg.  Participants will view a documentary about Tom Breslauer who was a local resident and Holocaust survivor, hear readings by survivors who were Hidden Children in Hungary during the Holocaust, and take part in an interactive panel discussion. This community event will be free for all participants.

The event will begin with a viewing of a documentary film about Tom Breslauer, a long-time resident of Stroudsburg and a Holocaust survivor.  Participants will experience the Holocaust through his telling, how life changed overnight when the Nazis took over the German government.  He became a “non-person”, a concentration camp prisoner and later was able to escape from Germany to England and then to the U.S.

After the film, participants will hear from survivors who were Hidden Children in Hungary.  You will hear excerpts from Remember Us, a book of children’s memories from the Holocaust, written by members of the Hungarian Hidden Children of New York, Inc. (HHC).  Thirty Jewish Hungarian men and women, who survived the Holocaust as children in hiding, relate memories of their trauma filled childhood. These are not the horror tales of the Holocaust that so much has been written about, rather glimpses, sudden visions that pop into a child’s mind when the word “Holocaust” is heard.

Evi Blaikie, published author and contributing editor of Remember Us, will provide an overview of Hungary during the Holocaust and the Hidden Children.  The following survivors will then read short excerpts from the book:

• Susan Kalev, Social Worker, B'nai Jethron  (March 8th and 11th)
• Tamas Revai, CPA (March 8th and 11th)
• Suzanne Nash, retired Insurance Executive, (March 8th)
• Dr. Susan Bendor, Professor of Social work, Yeshiva University, NYC (March 11th)

An interactive panel discussion will follow the readings.  Dr. Brian Alnutt, Assistant Professor of History, Northhampton Community College, will join the panel discussion.

The Holocaust Remembrance…The Hidden Children event takes place right before and on the Holocaust Remembrance Day, also known as Yom H'Shoah, which is on Sunday, April 11th this year.  This is one day set aside each year when those who suffered, fought and died during the Holocaust are especially remembered.

Six million Jews were murdered during the Holocaust.  In addition, five million others were murdered during the Holocaust: three million Polish Catholics and Christians, including thousands of Catholic priests and Christian pastors, half a million Eastern European Gypsies, tens of thousands of homosexuals, people with handicaps, members of religious groups who did not believe in the Nazi ideology, such as Jehovah Witnesses, as well as German citizens who refused to go along with Hitler’s plan.

You can purchase a copy of Remember Us: A Collection of Memories from Hungarian Hidden Children of the Holocaust for $25 at Josephine’s Fleur-de-lis, 601 Main Street, Stroudsburg or during the event at the Pocono Community Theater.  Payment can be made by check.  All profits from book sales go to the Memorial Museum of Hungarian Speaking Jewry, Safed, Israel.  $15.00 per book is tax deductible.
 
Monroe County Advisory Council has named a new chairman (PDF).  Pocono Record by Andrew Scott.  March 05, 2010.
 
2/26/10

Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission Appoints Local Advisory Council Chair
 
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) recently appointed Christopher Adams as chairperson of their Monroe County Advisory Council.  The council assists the commission in improving opportunities in employment, housing, public accommodations and education in our region.  Chris has been a council member since it was formed in 2006 and is currently also a member of the Unity Coalition of the Poconos and Stroudsburg Little Bethel Historical Association.  The community is still grieving the loss of Robert Hillman, the founder and previous chairperson of the council, who past away in November.  Chris is well prepared for his new role since he was Bob’s longtime friend and has worked at his side on the council and with many other community organizations.  Chris has been a resident of Monroe County for about 30 years and currently lives in Pocono Summit.  He works for GENCO Supply Chain Solutions in Tobyhanna and is also the owner and operator of 4 Seasons Waste and Construction Management Company. 

All council meetings are open to the public and the council is available to help explain the civil rights laws of the state and to assist any person(s) in filing a discrimination complaint.  The next meeting of Monroe Advisory Council to the PHRC will be on March 8th, 5:30pm at Loder Senior Center at 62 Analomink Street in East Stroudsburg.  For more information about the advisory council, please visit www.poconounity.org.  If you feel that you have been the victim of discrimination and want to file a complaint with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, contact their regional office that serves our region which is at the Riverfront Office Center, 1101-1125 S. Front Street, 5th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17104-2515, Voice: (717) 787-9784 / Text Telephone (TT/TTY): (717) 787-7279. Visit the PHRC website at http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/PHRC for more information.
 
8/29/09

STOP Housing Discrimination in Monroe County

Flyer

The Monroe County Advisory Council of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) will conduct housing testing later this year to assess if local housing providers (e.g., realtors, landlords) are complying with the state fair housing and nondiscrimination laws.  Volunteers are need for to conduct the testing.  The PHRC will provide training to testers on September 3, 2009 from 5:30pm to 7:00pm at the Loder Senior Center on 62 Analomink Street in East Stroudsburg, PA.  Pre-registration required by August 28th, email Laurie at laurie@veneziale.net.  Volunteers for housing testing do not need to be familiar with the codes, laws or be actors.  Essentially, volunteers inquire and look at a house/apartment, are observant and collect information.  Two or three separate tests are done for each house/apartment and any potential problems are turned over to PHRC to investigate.  The testing volunteers may also need to testify in court about their role but only if the case actually goes to court.  For more information, call Marty at 717-787-9025 or TTY 717-787-7279.  Visit the Monroe County Advisory Council website at www.poconounity.org.  For more information on the state fair housing laws, visit the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission website at www.phrc.state.pa.us.

  
5/19/08

Video of Channel 13 News - Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission Meets in Pike County
 
5/3/08

Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission Meets in Pike County

The civil rights enforcement agency in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC). Their mission is to administer and enforce the PA Human Relations Act and PA Fair Educational Opportunities Act, which strive to eliminate discrimination and provide equal opportunity for all persons. Notice is hereby given that the PHRC has scheduled its monthly Commission meeting for Monday, May 19, 2008 at the Hotel Fauchere, 401 Broad Street, Milford, PA 18337.

The Commission will convene the public session of its monthly meeting at 1:00 p.m. Prior to the convening of the public session, the Commission is scheduled to meet in Executive Session (not open to the public) to discuss monthly investigative case compliance activity, engage in case deliberations and to discuss other matters permitted to be discussed in Executive Session under the Commonwealths Sunshine Act.

PHRC encourages individuals with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing special accommodations or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact Martin Kearney at 717-787-9025 or at mkearney@state.pa.us.

Meeting Invitation
 
4/25/08

Presentation on PA Housing and Commercial Property Laws

A presentation on the housing and commercial property laws in Pennsylvania and predatory lending will be given on Thursday, May 1st at 5:30pm at the Loder Senior Center on 62 Analomink Street in East Stroudsburg, PA. The presenter, Tiffany Epoca, is an investigator with the PA Human Relations Commission. The presentation is part of the meeting for the Commission’s Monroe County Advisory Council. The council provides information about Pennsylvania civil rights laws in employment, housing/commercial property and education. Meetings of the council are open to the public and are held every other month at the Loder Senior Center in East Stroudsburg. For more information visit www.poconounity.org. If you feel that you have been the victim of discrimination and want to file a complaint with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, contact their regional office serving Monroe and Pike Counties at the Riverfront Office Center, 1101-1125 S. Front Street, 5th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17104-2515, Voice: (717) 787-9784 / Text Telephone (TT/TTY): (717) 787-7279 or visit http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/PHRC.
 
Other News
 
Shenandoah teens sentenced to prison in killing of illegal Mexican immigrant.  Reading Eagle.  June 17, 2009.
Alleged sexual harassment on school bus: These boys are not being boys.  Pocono Record. April 01, 2009.
Parents: Harassment on Pocono Mountain school bus continues Pocono Mountain officials say alleged misbehavior has been dealt.  Pocono Record.  March 27, 2009.

Pocono Record Series: Us vs THEM from August 17- 22, 2008

Bridging the gap between Us vs. Them
US vs. THEM: Does growth lead to big-city crime?
Panelists bring unique perspectives to 'Us vs. Them' conversation
US vs.THEM: Developers painted rosy pictures of Poconos, Buyers discovered many promises were impossible to keep
Huge influx of newcomers created demand for housing
Seminar stresses importance of proaction in fighting gangs
Gangs are us
Today's 'Us vs. Them' a twist on tourist bashing
Housing booms fuel 'us vs. them' feelings in Poconos

Gang-related grafitti spree hits Mount Pocono. Pocono Record, July 25, 2008.
Mount Pocono riot aftermath: Community uproar, relative defends young men arrested.  Pocono Record.  July 23, 2008.
Police quell rowdy crowd in Mount Pocono.  Pocono Record.  July 23, 2008.
Rowdy crowd chases police, riots in Mount Pocono.  Pocono Record.  July 22, 2008.
Civil Rights board will meet to discuss housing, taxes, immigration. Pocono Record, August 21, 2008.

Forum on Discrimination and Gang Activity in Pike County on March 1, 2008

Forum Binder and Handouts

Eastern Poconos takes a hard look at crime influencing its youth: Tri-State Unity coalition examines effects of pride, prejudice. Pocono Record, March 07, 2008.
Workshop highlights bias and gang problem. Pike County Courier, March 6, 2008.
Forum targets gang activity in Pike. Weekly Almanac, March 6, 2008.
Gang Workshop Highlights Some Problems in Pike / Page 2 Pike County Dispatch, March 5, 2008.
Gangs, racism gaining ground in the Poconos. Pocono Record, March 02, 2008.
Public forum tomorrow on diversity, gang issues in Poconos. Pocono Record, February 29, 2008.
Forum to focus on gangs, prejudice. Times-Tribune, February 18, 2008.
March 1 forum to address Pike gang activity. Weekly Almanac, February 13, 2008.
Don't miss March 1 forum at PEEC on gangs, bias. Pocono Record, February 8, 2008.
Gang violance/bias forum scheduled. Pike County Courier, February 8, 2008.

Pennsylvania Court Tosses Gay Hate Law. 365Gay.com. November 16, 2007.
Why do we still have a Civil Rights Movement? Pocono Record. October 12, 2007.
Policing workshop aims to join perception, reality. Pocono Record. May 19, 2007.
Uniting communities a greater challenge. Pocono Record. Feburary 23, 2007.
Perhaps some day we won't need a month-long refresher on black history. Pocono Record. Febuary 16, 2007.
New residents revive racial awareness. Pocono Record. January 12, 2007
ESU annouces the formation of two new colleges and new academic departments. PoconoNews.Net. February 2, 2007.
Forum examines students' rights, invites diversity. Pocono Record. November 6, 2006.
Three Pike residents on regional advisory council to improve opportunities for minorities. News Eagle. November 1-3, 2006 and Pike County Dispatch. November 2, 2006.
Monroe County human relations advisory panel to hold its first meeting. Pocono Record. August 17, 2006.
 
 

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