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

As we head into Mother's Day weekend May 7-9, 2010 ...

The Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission will be hosting its 2Nd Annual Fair Housing Conference; "Sustainability: Rebuilding After the Flood." The goal for the conference is to raise awareness of Fair Housing issues as well as issues related to flood recovery.

The keynote speaker, the Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, John Trasviña. "HUD continues to demonstrate their commitment to fair housing," and according to Karl Cassell, Executive Director of the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission, "we are grateful for the partnership."

The Civil Rights Commission is asking local organizations for sponsorships for the Fair Housing Conference that is coming to our community. Three levels of sponsorships are available: Gold, Silver and Bronze. For information, you can contact Commission at 319.286.5036.

As we enter the Mother's Day weekend, we want to wish mothers everywhere the very best.

Have a Healthy Mother's Day

We invite you to send an eCard

the following:

Text that will be added to your eCard:

May we work toward a healthy world for all mothers.

Support healthy families at:

http://www.umchealthyfamilies.org/

Who Is My Neighbor?

4/14/2008 Community Connections: "Taking Ownership For Where We Live"

Karl Cassell, Executive Director of the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission spoke to a group at Noon today. He informed the group in attendance of the following upcoming event.

Upcoming Event: Community Connections: "Taking Ownership For Where We Live" Tue. April 14 at 6pm at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church 1340 3rd Ave SE sponsored by CR Civil Rights Commission - in part this is a response to the violence that has directly impacted lives of a Cedar Rapids Police Officer, children, and adult neighbors in our city's core neighborhoods.

This event is open the general public. If time permits in your schedule next week, you are encouraged to attend.

What is the "Who Is My Neighbor" Award?