2011_03_08_HRC_Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Human Rights Commission Meeting Minutes March 8, 2011 Commissioners Present: Chair David Singleton; Commissioners Anthony Barrett, Gary Grefenberg, Liz Jaeger, Seth, Josephson, Peg Kennedy, Thelma McKenzie, Marie Oftelie, Marie Siliciano, Barb Yates 1. Call to Order Chair David Singleton called meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. The Clerk called the roll. 2. Swearing in of Youth Commissioner Chair Singleton administered the oath to Youth Commissioner Marie Siliciano. 3. Approve Minutes of January 11, 2011 Vice Chair Marie Oftelie moved and Commissioner Gary Grefenberg seconded approval of the minutes. Motion prevailed unanimously. 4. Staff /Committee Reports 4a. Visions of Success Subcommittee Commissioner Liz Jaeger provided a briefing of a Forum on Faith Communities for ending homelessness that she attended in February. She relayed statistics showing a substantial increase in the number of homeless in recent years, in particular among children and in suburbs. In July 2010, 424 children and 250 adults were turned away from homeless shelters in Ramsey County. She said there are 104 beds for domestic violence victims, but only two shelters offer beds for men with children who are victims of domestic violence. She noted that in 2005/06, the Roseville schools counted 13 homeless students. In 2009/10 that number increased to 59 homeless students. In all Ramsey County schools, the numbers went from 1,000 to 1,996 of reported homeless students in that five year period. Commissioner Jaeger suggested awareness of homelessness may be a topic for a future forum. Commissioner Peg Kennedy said that in addition to homeless, schools see many families doubling up, moving in with family or friends after a family loses a home. Commissioners noted that the Keystone Food Shelf in Roseville recently moved to a larger space to accommodate the growing demand for food. Commissioner Grefenberg said that having a safe and secure place to live is a basic human right according to the United Nations Declaration of Duman Rights.