Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission
Quarterly Newsletter
April 2020
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The City of Cedar Rapids, Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission Chair, Leland Freie, and the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission announce the appointment of Stefanie P.K. Munsterman-Scriven as the Commission’s new Executive Director. Munsterman-Scriven worked for the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission from 2008 to 2015 and returned as a Civil Rights Investigator and Mediator in April of 2019.
In her new role as Executive Director, Munsterman-Scriven will direct the strategic planning and policy for the Civil Rights Commission as well as plan, organize and direct the organization, structure, activities and operations of the Department.
“As our community continues to grow and become more diverse, it is increasingly vital we protect the civil rights of all people and work to ensure our community is inclusive and equitable,” said Munsterman-Scriven. “The Commission has a responsibility to bring people together and provide safe, welcoming spaces for all. The Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission will work to ensure the City of Cedar Rapids is renowned for protecting civil rights and for its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.”
“My first 30, 60, 90 days looks differently than a typical start as Executive Director due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our team is working remotely, and our building is closed to the public. During the next few months, there will be ups and downs as we traverse through new territory during this pandemic, but I have the highest confidence and deepest respect for each member of our team. The Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission is committed to serving the civil rights needs of our community and we are continuing our work during this challenging time.”
“I am excited and honored to welcome Stefanie as Director of the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission,” said Commission Chair, Leland Freie. “Her background, experience, expertise, and passion for civil rights will lend itself well to this position. I am confident under her leadership, the Cedar Rapids Civil rights Commission will continue to be a positive force for change in this community.”
Munsterman-Scriven is a Doctor of Philosophy Candidate of Public Administration at Northcentral University in Scottsdale Arizona. She holds a Master of Business Administration and Master of Strategic Leadership from Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Missouri Western State University in St Joseph, Missouri, and Certification in Mediation, Dispute, and Conflict Resolution from Mitchell Hamline School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota.
She currently serves on boards at the Iowa League of Human and Civil Rights Agencies, ACLU of Iowa, RHCR Theatre, College Community School Improvement Advisory Board, and Global Arts Therapy.
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In response to COVID-19, the Commission office is currently closed to the public until further notice. However, staff is still conducting business and working from their homes. Anyone that needs to contact the Commission can do so through the following formats:
Phone: (319) 286-5036
Mail: 50 2nd Avenue Bridge, 7th Floor, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
If you are experiencing any legal issues, such as eviction, denial of unemployment benefits, identify theft, employment issues, etc. because of COVID-19 you may call 1-800-332-0419 for assistance.
During this time, the Commission will not be conducting, or participating in any in-person outreach events or trainings. However, we are still active on social media, so be sure to check us out on the following platforms:
We look forward to participating in, and conducting, our usual outreach efforts when this virus is behind us. We will get through this and we hope everyone stays healthy!
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Applications are currently being accepted from Cedar Rapids residents for upcoming vacancies on our Commission! These volunteers are a policy making body who work with Commission staff to provide education to the community on civil rights and fair housing issues and review discrimination cases.
The City of Cedar Rapids is committed to gender balance on all boards, commissions and advisory committees. Women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
You may apply by filling out the application on the City’s website at
www.cedar-rapids.org
. Completed applications may also be mailed to the City Clerk’s Office at 101 First Street SE, or sent by email to
[email protected]
.
Our Commission meets the third Wednesday of each month at 5:30 PM and there are multiple opportunities throughout the year to volunteer in the community through our Commission. If you have questions about the work of the Commission, please contact Commission Chair, Leland Freie, via telephone at (319) 693-6580 or via email at
[email protected]
. You may also contact the Commission’s Executive Director, Stefanie Munsterman-Scriven, via telephone at (319) 286-5123 or via email at
[email protected]
.
Applications will be made available to the Mayor and City Council for review. All applications are kept on file for one year. Applications are due by
April 30, 2020
.
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New Virtual Programs
We want to stay connected with you, so we are adding two new virtual programs!
Virtual Book Club for Adults
We are excited to announce a Virtual Book Club for Adults! If you are interested in participating, want to hear from you about when we should meet and what book we should read first! Please participate in this survey and let us know your thoughts:
www.surveymonkey.com/r/6B35HZL
. We understand the cost of purchasing a book may be a hardship, so the Commission will purchase books for those who need assistance. Please indicate your need in the survey. We look forward to reading and learning with you!
Virtual Story Time for Children
Starting April 14, our staff will provide virtual story times for children on our Facebook page on Tuesdays at 10:00 A.M.! Join us on at
www.facebook.com/cedar.rights
! We’d like to express a big thanks to the Cedar Rapids Public Library as their staff was kind enough to provide us with books, plus we have several in our own Commission library. We are so excited to share this time with you and look forward to your participation!
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Outreach Postponements
Fair Housing Contest
The health and safety of our community is of utmost importance to our Commission. After careful consideration, and in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we are postponing our annual art contest for students until further notice. We are excited to offer the contest later this year and we will keep the public updated with more information and specific dates in the future.
Housing Resource Fair
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and out of safety and concern of participating organizations and community members, the 2020 Housing Resource Fair has been postponed. This event is co-organized by our Commission, the Cedar Rapids Public Library, and Horizons, A Family Service. The event is tentatively rescheduled for Saturday, September 26, 2020 from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M at the downtown Cedar Rapids Public Library. Various organizations, workshops, and resources focusing on financial well-being and housing will be available throughout the event. This resource fair seeks to provide information and education to all, regardless of your current housing situation. For further updates, please check the Facebook event page at
https://www.facebook.com/events/592768347941898/?active_tab=about
.
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"Fair Housing Month" Proclamation
April is “Fair Housing Month” and we celebrate with the following proclamation:
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Staff
Stefanie Munsterman-Scriven
Executive Director
Janet Abejo-Parker
Senior Investigator
Bernie Walther
Investigator
Alicia Abernathey
Administrative Assistant/Intake Specialist
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Commissioners
Anthony Arrington
Leland Freie
Salma Igram
Keith Rippy
Esaie Toingar
Linda Topinka
Dr. Ruth White
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Civil Rights Commission Meetings
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Commission meetings are open to the public and occur the third Wednesday of each month at 5:30 PM, with the exception of the December meetings which takes place on the second Wednesday of the month.
Upcoming Meeting Schedule:
- April 15, 2020
- May 20, 2020
- June 17, 2020
- July 15, 2020
- August 19, 2020
- September 16, 2020
- October 21, 2020
- November 18, 2020
- December 9, 2020
Any person with a visual impairment or who is deaf or hard of hearing and in need of assistance to participate in any of the meetings should contact Civil Rights at (319) 286-5036 or
[email protected]
at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
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It is unlawful to discriminate in the areas of
Employment, Education, Public Accommodations, Credit,
and
Housing
.
Complaints of unlawful discriminatory treatment must be based on a person's
Age, Color, Creed, Mental or Physical Disability, Familial Status, Gender Identity, Marital Status, National Origin, Race, Religion, Sex (gender), or Sexual Orientation
. These categories are called protected class characteristics. It is also unlawful to retaliate against a person because such person has lawfully opposed any discriminatory practice.
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