City of Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission has new Dolphin Mascot

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION TEACHES KIDS ABOUT DISCRIMINATION USING DOLPHIN MASCOT

The Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission will unveil its newest member, Donald the Anti-Discriminatory Dolphin, tomorrow night at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. Donald, a dolphin mascot that teaches children about discrimination, will make a cameo appearance at the museum’s Pajama Storytime event at 7pm, before he begins conducting presentations in Cedar Rapids classrooms next month, as well as a special presentation for the Landlords of Linn County on Thursday, April 14.

The Donald the Anti-Discriminatory Dolphin Youth Education Project was funded by a grant through the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation. Donald and Commission staff will present to pre-school through elementary age students and make appearances at Commission events. Donald teaches children about discrimination based on characteristics protected by the Cedar Rapids municipal code as well as the resources available to community members when they face discrimination.

The lessons are implemented by performing a skit starring the new mascot. Donald begins the skit as a discriminatory landlord who denies potential sea creature tenants based on assumptions he has about certain groups. A member of the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission confronts Donald about his behavior and says if Donald were to be a victim of discrimination, he would feel like a fish out of water. Donald gets upset, because he is not a fish – he is a mammal. He tells the staff person it’s wrong to make assumptions based on appearance. After realizing he has been guilty of assumptions as well, he vows to stop discriminating.

The Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission is looking for future groups to view the presentation. If you or someone you know is interested in having Donald the Anti-Discriminatory Dolphin present to your group or classroom, contact the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission at (319)286-5036.

Contact:

Paul Nemeth

Community and Educational Outreach Coordinator/AmeriCorps VISTA Associate

Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission

paul.nemeth@cedar-rapids.org

(319)286-5132

Karl Cassell Executive Director

Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission

k.cassell@cedar-rapids.org

(319)286-5036

Who Is My Neighbor

Happy St. Valentine's Day to all on this February 14, 2011

Who Is My Neighbor

Next Monday's Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Service

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - JANUARY 10, 2011

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church Hosts Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Service
Honoring the Legacy of Dr. King through a Humanitarian Award and the Voices, Talents, and Dreams of Children

Monday, January 17, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
1340 Third Avenue SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa


Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. dreamed that we would live in a world where his children would “not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” At the Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Service, we will Remember Dr. King’s words, Celebrate our dreams for the future, and Act to make these dreams a reality.

This year, a special message for children is included in this uplifting service as well as the formal recognition of members of the newly established “Civil Rights Youth Advisory Panel.”

Keynote Speaker, Karl Werner will share innovative approaches he uses in Cedar Rapids Schools to help students understand the importance of diversity in learning. His programs have garnered many accolades and awards around the country.

The Martin Luther King Planning Committing is proud to recognize this year’s Percy and Lileah Harris “Who Is My Neighbor” award recipient. This award is “In recognition of a lifelong faith commitment to living in harmony with others and to promoting equality and social justice in the community.”

Magnificent music has always been a component of this celebration service and this year is no different. Come enjoy the musical talents of The Chorale Midwest, Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church Men’s Choir, and the Gospel Choir from Johnson Elementary School of the Arts.

We invite you to Remember, Celebrate, and Act on the words and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Contact:
Jerry Matchett matchett.jerry@gmail.com
or Stefanie Robinson S.Robinson@cedar-rapids.org
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
1340 Third Avenue SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
319-363-2058
http://stpaulsumc.org/

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Happy New Year: New Ordinance Focus Groups 1/10 and 1/11 in Cedar Rapids

We hope the New Year is off to a good start for you ...

Ordinance change would protect Section 8 housing applicants - The Gazette
Imagine you’re a low-income person with a low-paying job and the good fortune of having a federal housing voucher to help with rent. Now, that person in Cedar Rapids and most other cities has the task of finding a landlord willing to accept the voucher as partial payment of rent. Some landlords don’t want to ...

New Ordinance Focus Groups will be hosted by the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission on Monday, January 10Th and Tuesday, January 11Th. Different subjects will be presented each session.

• The city commission forum on Monday will be held from 6 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. at the Cedar Rapids Public Library’s location in Westdale Mall. Proposed ordinance changes related to marital status will be discussed first followed by those related to gender identity.
• The Tuesday forum will be held at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 1340 Third Ave. SE, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Proposed ordinance changes related to lawful sources of income will be discussed first followed by changes related to construction and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
  

Who is my Neighbor?