City of Hopkins • Human Rights Commission Awards

2008 Human Rights Award
Nomination Form - 198k

Each year the Hopkins Human Rights Commission presents its Human Rights Award to individuals, organizations, or businesses whose activities during the past year help foster a community that embraces diversity, mutual respect and principles of equal opportunity.

Nominations may be submitted for an individual, non-profit organization or business. The nomination deadline for 2008 is October 17, 2008.

Award winners will be selected by the Hopkins Human Rights Commission at its November meeting.

Individual

The nominee shall be an individual whose recent activities or programs have directly benefited the City of Hopkins
The nominee's activities or programs should relate to the mission of the Hopkins Human Rights Commission

Non-Profit Organization

The nominee shall be a non-profit organization whose recent activities or programs have directly benefited the City of Hopkins
The nominee's activities or programs should relate to the mission of the Hopkins Human Rights Commission

Business

The nominee shall be a Hopkins' business or corporation whose practices and programs have produced and supported an inclusive work place environment and /or whose programs and support have benefited the City of Hopkins
The nominee's business practices should relate to the mission of the Hopkins Human Rights Commission

Questions may be directed to Jim Genellie, Assistant City Manager, 952-548-6303.

2007

Deb Butler
Deb Butler has always reached out to local children and new immigrant neighbors. Two years ago Police Chief Craig Reid spoke with Deb about the mounting crime issue on the east end of Hopkins. Deb immediately went out door knocking to organize a Neighborhood Watch group. She also worked with Kathy Magdal on the National Night Out Project.
Next Deb helped to form the Blake Road Corridor Project. She has assisted with meetings, taken minutes, recruited people from ethnic groups to be interviewed, located venues, arranged for babysitters and purchased ethnic food for participants. The list is endless and her contributions for Human Rights in our community are deeply appreciated.

2006

YMCA - Ridgedale Branch
The Human Rights Award is presented to the YMCA in recognition of its efforts in the city of Hopkins. The YMCA, in addition to being an ongoing partner in the Depot Coffee House/Teen Center project, has been participating in the Blake Road Corridor project. The YMCA has provided recreational opportunities for all of the children living in the Blake Road Corridor regardless of race or creed.
Katherine Magdal
The Human Rights Award for Individuals is presented to Katherine Magdal for her work on the Blake Road Corridor project. Katherine has played a crucial role in coordinating the many participants in this project. Her work on this project truly helps to "foster a community that embraces diversity, mutual respect, and principles of equal opportunity."

2005

The Hopkins School District
The Hopkins School District 270 has undertaken a multi-year effort to eliminate racial and other demographic differences in student achievement. This effort is summarized in the District's Equity Strategy Framework. The District's Equity Mission states: "we will eliminate racial and other demographic differences in achievement, while we improve achievement for all students, by examining individual and organizational beliefs and changing practices to counteract the contemporary and historical impact of racism and discrimination."
The Equity Strategy Framework establishes goals and timelines for achieving its mission.
The Hopkins Police Department
Hopkins Police Officers have begun working with intermediate adult education classes working on English as a Second Language. Officers speak to the classes about dealing with the police in America along with information on Hopkins Police programs.

2003

Harley Hopkins Family Center
Harley Hopkins Family Center In its 2003 Strategic Plan the Center adopted goals and objectives directly related to increasing access by diverse families, such as the translation of materials, adding multi-cultural materials, and the training of teaching staff.
The Center implemented targeted outreach efforts in the community, in particular in apartment complexes, in order to bring to diverse communities information about early childhood programs and options for their children.
By increasing the participation of children, parents, and families representing both old and new immigrant populations into their school programs, Harley Hopkins has increased the chances of eliminating disparities in school achievement and improving individual success throughout the school years.
Vail Place
Vail Place supports human rights by providing information and education that addresses the misunderstanding and stigma that unjustly prevents men and women with mental illness from full participation in community life.
The mission of Vail Place is to help adults with mental illness rebuild their lives, claim their human rights and actively participate in their growth toward independence.
In addition to its ongoing activities, Vail Place has been a crucial partner in the Hopkins Heritage Celebration. Every year, volunteers from Vail Place have provided assistance in both planning and carrying out the Celebration

2002

Karen Jensen
Since 1985, Karen Jensen has been devoting her life to seeking justice and equal opportunities for all people. She is a published author, writing about youth discrimination and the bonds that are made when overcoming those obstacles, she was the co-founder of the first Hopkins Turn off the Violence Rally, and also helped build an awareness of the City's human rights resources when she became involved with the City of Hopkins.
Karen is a founding Board Member of Shoestring Players. Shoestring Players performs and acts as an example and catalyst for all factions of theatrical arts, actors, directors, technicians, and audiences alike to build personal, intergenerational, and multicultural relationships.

2001

There were four recipients of the third annual human rights awards in 2001. Awards were made in all three categories; non-profit, business, and individual.

Lana Sierra
Lana Sierra served as the Chair of the Hopkins Heritage Celebration Planning Committee. Lana provided the leadership needed to make the Heritage Celebration happen. The Heritage Celebration was held as a part of the Hopkins Raspberry Festival in July. The Heritage Celebration brought together a number of vendors of various ethnic foods, including a local Mexican food vendor who had previously not participated in Raspberry Festival. There were other vendors, as well as a large number of performers. All of these activities contributed to making the Raspberry Festival feel much more like a multicultural celebration.
Lana Sierra put in many hours to coordinate Heritage Celebration activities. The Human Rights Commission feels that the Heritage Celebration would not have taken place without her leadership efforts. The Heritage Celebration benefited the City of Hopkins in numerous ways. It set the tone for a city that celebrates and embraces diversity. It provided education about different heritages and nationalities to the residents of Hopkins. It helped make the entire Raspberry Festival more welcoming to members of different cultures.
Fran Hesch
In years of what she has termed "servant-leadership" Fran has embraced diversity, mutual respect, and the principles of equal opportunity. Her selfless activities have been evident for years - from her involvement in Early Childhood Family Education at Harley Hopkins Family Center to two terms with the Hopkins City Council. She was active in the start of the Hopkins Center for the Arts and is currently an "advocate in action" as project coordinator for the Depot Coffee House.
Ramsgate Apartments
Ramsgate Apartments is sponsoring a program for immigrant tenants that provides instruction in English as well as basic daily living skills. Ramsgate is working in conjunction with Adult Options in Education, a program that is part of the Hopkins School District. A teacher comes to Ramsgate several days each week to work with residents on their English skills. Guest speakers give instructions about using appliances and teach other skills necessary for living in apartment complexes.
Ramsgate Apartments feels that this program helps reduce the isolation that immigrants can experience living in a new country. The Human Rights Commission believes that this program, by assisting immigrants in making the transition to living in the United States, helps foster a community that embraces diversity. This program also assists the City of Hopkins by helping immigrants fit into the community and learn the basic skills necessary to succeed.
Mizpah United Church of Christ
The congregation of Mizpah Church is currently involved in a yearlong "open and affirming" process. The process is designed to help the Mizpah congregation welcome those from diverse races, cultures, sexual orientations, and physical and mental disabilities. A series of guest speakers and programs are designed to assist the congregation in learning about diversity issues.
The Human Rights Commission believes that this program helps foster a community that embraces diversity, mutual respect, and principles of equal opportunity. This program also assists the City of Hopkins by helping residents accept the diverse cultures and individuals who are increasingly making Hopkins home.

2000

Vanessa Brown
For her work with persons of color who live in multi-family housing as well as her work with Schools and Communities in Partnership (SCIP), the Hopkins Area Family Resouce Center, and school district 270.

1999

Barb Westmoreland
In 1999, the Commission awarded its first Hopkins Human Rights Award to Barb Westmoreland for her work with Empty Bowls.