Human Relations Commission — Skokie, IL
Date: 2021-12-03

Commission on Human Relations
 Minutes
 October 25th, 2021
 Skokie Police Station

Attendance: Daphnee Camilien, Jaili Fajardo, Khem Khoeun(Trustee), Jonathan Lavan, Marcos
Levy, Jim McVane, Rabbi Amy Memis-Foler, Maria Monastero Bueno (Chair), Jeremy Segall,
James Specker, and Yesoe Yoon.


 Minutes
Call to Order:
Introduction and went around and had a mini introduction of each member of the group as the
chair took attendance. Member continued to join us to the group and introduced themselves.
Minutes from September 2021 were approved by Commissioner Yoon and Daphnee second the
approval. Only correction was to Jonathan Lavan’s last name from September’s minutes.

Committees:
Information was provided on each committee starting with block parties and block party forum
committee. Next was the Coming Together Skokie. Rabbi Amy gave an update and background
on Coming Together Skokie. It is the 11th anniversary of Coming Together. Susan Van Dusen
and other community women of leadership came together as a book club of cultures and
wanted a way to celebrate the communities. This upcoming year, the community they are
celebrating and educating the community on will be Disabilities. James is also on the planning
committees and spoke about videos and educational videos on the history and laws for people
with different abilities. James to email the links and Iris to email the group. Next committee was
on fair housing. Possible housing request from Niles Township to be translated in multiple
languages. Multiple commissioners volunteered to translate the housing flyer. Next was the
Festival of Cultures. In May there is a weekend where Oakton Park District holds a Festival of
Cultures and the Human Relations Commission shows support and volunteers during this
weekend. Next was Know Your Neighbor. It was funded by the Chicago Trust and it was a grass
roots started by neighbors and the commission. Kits were dropped off in the homes and Village
officials would stop by. Rabbi Amy hosted one and gave details. Next was SEED. It is a
yearlong program where members meet once a month and Human Relations has funded one
commissioner to be a trainer. Trustee Khem and Rabbi Amy were in a class together and gave
details. Stand Against Racism was next and Iris gave a background with the partnership with
the YWCA Evanston North Shore. Iris gave information on how it was previously done pre-
COVID and how it is now done during COVID with the Stand Against Racism Human Relations
Sign, partners with the Skokie Library, local schools, Village Hall, Skokie PD and Skokie Fire.
Next was Skokie United and Black History Month with the Library committee. Then the
committee with Skokie Pride table at the Park District and the District 69 event was discussed.
More information was given about the committees. A sign-up sheet was passed around for
commissioners to sign up on the committees. Details about a chair, co-chair and note taker was
announced. The committee sign up will be passed around again during the December meeting.

Old Business:
Trustee Khem provided information on the shelter from the last meeting. She provided
information from Connections from the Homeless in a PDF from July to September 2021 and
the services that were provided to Skokie Residents from wrap around services, Hilda’s Place,
eviction prevention, outreach team and much more. Trustee Khem spoke about securing a more
fixed site and increasing their emergency beds. Iris provided information on the partnership
from Human Services and the Connections from the Homeless team as well.

New Business
Let’s Talk at Lunch Skokie is now virtual from the YWCA Evanston North Shore. It is great way
to continue to participate in the community via online and continue the conversation about
various topics. Link to be sent via email when next invite is sent out by YWCA.
Assist A Family Holiday Program is coming up held by Village of Skokie Human Services. Iris
went over holiday program and how it works. Email to be sent out once donations open.
Donations not to be expected by commissioners, only greatly appreciated.

Meeting dates: 01/24, 02/28, 03/28, 04/25, 05/23, 06/27

Adjournment Commissioner Jeremy and seconder by Commissioner Yoon

Respectfully submitted by Iris Barrios