City of Jackson

Human Relations Commission

Human Relations Commission Vision Statement

The Human Relations Commission is committed to creating communities free from discrimination where all diverse residents are working in harmony and with respect for one another.

Mission Statement

The Human Relations Commission wants to be a leader in bringing people together to resolve conflicts, promote harmony and combat discrimination.

What does the Human Relations Commission do?

• Promotes mutual understanding, dignity, and respect among all racial, religious, and nationality groups
• Work to discourage and prevent discriminatory practices against any such group
• Disseminates information, educational materials and reports that assist in the elimination of prejudice, intolerance, intergroup tension and discrimination
• Promotes goodwill towards all racial, religious and nationality groups
• Formulates and carries out programs of community education and training, by itself or in cooperation with other agencies, organizations or associations, public and private, for the purpose of discouraging and eliminating intergroup tension, discrimination, harassment or prejudice
• Establishes procedures and conducts mediation and conciliation when conflict concerning good human relations arises
• Assists the city in providing equal employment in all departments and levels of government, and equal services to all citizens
• Assists with the review and monitoring of the city's contract compliance program
• Is an interpreter of the sentiments of the community and works as an agent within the government to foster programs, policies and procedures for ensuring community progress in all human relations areas
• Provides leadership in recognizing and resolving potential problems through its advisory capacity to the City Manager and City Council through development of specific programs designed to foster the kinds of social change needed to make the city a better place for all.
• Reviews the status of social services provided to residents of this city, including the nature, quality, effectiveness, availability and accessibility thereof. To this end, the Commission shall liaison with the appropriate local, county, and state government agencies, as well as private community service organizations.
• Makes recommendations concerning programs and seeks the establishment of programs that will provide a better quality of life in the areas of mental health and general health services, substance abuse services, and other services for the people of the city.
• Prepares and submit an annual report of its activities to the City Council and to make other reports and recommendations to the City Council as deemed necessary for the furtherance of improved human relations in the city.

Who makes up the Human Relations Commission?

The Human Relations Commission was established as a part of the City of Jackson government on November 19, 1963. The Commission is comprised of nine members, of which at least five must be residents of the City while others may reside in Jackson County. A diversity balance is sought among members to allow for a fully representative body reflective of the City's population.

The standing committees of the HRC are: Community Needs; Labor and Industry; and Public Relations and Information. The HRC also welcomes opportunities to partner with other organizations working in the areas of human relations and services.

The HRC meets at 6:30 p.m.on the third Wednesday of each month in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 161 West Michigan Avenue. Time is allotted each session for citizen comments, and observers are always welcome.