OC HUMAN RELATIONS HOME PAGE

OC Human Relations is a 501(c)(3) non-profit agency whose mission is to foster mutual understanding among residents and eliminate prejudice, intolerance and discrimination in order to make Orange County a better place for ALL people to live, work and do business. We rely on the financial contributions of people like you. Please support our work by making a DONATION.

News & Events:

A Message From Our Executive Director, Rusty Kennedy
Across America today, bigotry and violence between diverse groups is taking center stage. As a human relations organization, our mission is to prevent hate from taking hold by investing time in building relationships among our diverse communities.

As Fullerton convulsed in reaction to the violent death of Kelly Thomas a mentally ill homeless man, many were eager to point the finger of blame for this tragic death at the police, city, city council, mayor…anyone but themselves.

Yet when Rev. Darrel McGowan challenged us to reflect on the current situation, we could see our individual responsibility. He asked, “When did it become acceptable that a severely mentally ill person be living on the street and when did we start to look the other way and accept this as normal?” We were able to think how we can all come together to better protect this vulnerable part of our community.

OC Human Relations stepped up to convene the Fullerton Task Force on the Mentally Ill and Homeless. The Task Force studied best practices, dialogued with the mentally ill and their parents, learned from the behavioral health experts, heard from the regional planners about the 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness, listened to the shelter providers, homeless advocates, non-profits, faith-based groups, and the general public.

The Task Force approved a set of eight recommendations to take to the Fullerton City Council in May and June for review. Our hope is that from this tragedy we can make the future brighter for the homeless and all residents of Orange County.

OC Human Relations - Making A Difference

Family Divorce Mediation Training Program Announced!
OC Human Relations is now offering a 40 hour course to help those interested in becoming Divorce Mediators to begin to acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to successfully work with divorcing couples. The first training begins in June. Click here for more information.

AWARDS 41 A GREAT SUCCESS! May 10, 2012, CITY NATIONAL GROVE OF ANAHEIM

To learn more about the Awardees and watch their videos, see our Awards 41 webpage.

BRIDGES PROGRAM NEWS
April 20, 2012: Corona del Mar High School students participated in Silence the Violence Day. Some taped their mouths shut as part of a youth movement to raise awareness of harassment, prejudice and discrimination. Read an article published in the Daily Pilot.
April 2, 2012: Read an article about La Quinta High School's Speakers Symposium. Organized by students in the BRIDGES program, the Speaker Symposium exposed high school students to different human relations’ issues such as school bullying, drug abuse, Islamophobia, youth empowerment, and human trafficking.
March 6, 2012: Read an article by Sonia Painda, OC Human Relations Intern, about the “Love Booth”, which forms part of Magnolia High School’s “Words Hurt and Can Kill” campaign, a program facilitated by OC Human Relations BRIDGES..

2012 Mediation Certification Training Schedule
The next 40-hour training begins June 20, 2012. See Mediation Training for details, and/or download the registration form.

The Orange County Human Relations Commission meets at 7pm on the 2nd Thursday of each month in the 2nd floor Boardroom, Bldg B, 1300 S. Grand, Santa Ana, 97205. Members of the public are welcome to attend the meeting and to address the Commission on any topic relevant to its mission.