MARYLAND AFFORDABLE HOUSING COALITION ANNUAL MEETING!

Last chance to register! MAHC ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING October 13, 2022 from 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. The Atreeum at Soaring Timbers 610 N. Bestgate Road Annapolis, MD 21401 TICKETS - $150 Members/$200 Non-Members

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AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS: -  A Special Tribute to DHCD Secretary Ken Holt - Remarks from Ellen Lurie Hoffman, U.S. Dept. of the Treasury & Matthew Heckles, U.S. Dept. of HUD CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2022 HOUSING AWARD WINNERS: Housing Leadership Award Senator Guy Guzzone Senator Sarah Elfreth President's Award DHCD Secretary Kenneth Holt Housing Person of the Year Award Jessica Zuniga  Foundation Development, Humphrey Management Innovation Award Four Ten Lofts Baltimore, MD Episcopal Housing & French Development Don't Forget About the Great DOOR PRIZES! You must be present to win Thanks to our generous Door Prize Sponsors: AKRF - Yeti Tundra 35 Architecture by Design - 2 x $50 Home Depot gift cards Berkadia - $50 Amazon gift card  Bozzuto Construction - Yeti tumbler + $100 REI gift card Harkins Builders - $150 gift card to Busboys & Poets MaGrann Associates - $100 Amazon gift card Pando Alliance - 4 Multifunction solar power device chargers Pennrose Properties - $100 Massage Envy gift card SC&H - Yeti Hopper Flip 12 cooler Southway Builders - $250 Visa gift card Tiber Hudson - Thermos + $100 Amazon gift card We hope to see you there!

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 Bazelon Center Develops Resources for "Housing First" Advocates

The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law is working in coalition with housing, homelessness, veterans, and faith-based organizations to advocate for ending homelessness through the "Housing First" model. Working with this coalition, we have developed resources - posted on the National Low Income Housing Coalition's website - to help policymakers and others understand the benefits of the Housing First model, and drafted a well-received fact sheet explaining how Housing First Supports People with Mental Health Conditions. 

Under the "Housing First" model, stable, affordable, and accessible housing is provided to people experiencing homelessness quickly and without prerequisites, and voluntary supportive services are offered to help improve housing stability and well-being. "Housing First" is an effective practice that has been shown to be effective at ending homelessness, including for people with mental disabilities.  We will continue to advocate for affordable housing, fight housing discrimination, and work to expand supportive housing for people with disabilities.

Many people with mental disabilities - such as mental health, intellectual, or developmental disabilities - face various barriers to voting. A recent post on the Bazelon Center's blog included resources to help explain the voting rights of people with disabilities and how to protect them. Voting is just as important for people with disabilities as it is for everyone else. 

Read the full blog post here. Once there, you can sign up to receive new blog entries by email, or watch this space for updates.

Maryland Commission on Civil Rights

Celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month 2022 

The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights, (MCCR), and its Board of Commissioners regularly recognize special emphasis commemorations. From Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, the National Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the American Hispanic and Latinx community. According to the census, 62.6 million of the United States identify as Hispanic or Latinx, making them the nation's largest racial or ethnic minority. In Maryland, Hispanic/Latinx make up 12 percent of the Maryland population and number around 744,000.

The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.

The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively.

During this Hispanic Heritage Month, MCCR encourages Marylanders to learn more about the culture and contributions the Hispanic/Latinx community have made in society.  Look for your local community events. To assist you in your search, below is a brief list of activities throughout Maryland:

• Prince Georges County Dept of Parks and Recreation Hispanic Heritage Month Calendar of Events
• Montgomery College Calendar of Events
• Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration Kickoff (In Waldorf, MD)
• City of Mount Rainer's Latino Heritage Month Celebration
• Hispanic Business on BAM (Business, Advocacy and Mentorship)! Showcase
• 14thAnnual Latino Festival of Frederick, MD
• Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration and Presentation of Community Service Awards
• Hispanic Heritage Month: Hispanic Leadership Awards Dinner
• 3rddAnnual Latin Rhythms Festival

The MCCR and its Board of Commissioners are united in celebrating all cultures, and in resolving anti-discrimination through enforcement of the State's anti-discrimination laws, and through public outreach and education.

For information on MCCR, visit https://mccr.maryland.gov/

Maryland Commission on Civil Rights

The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR) represents the interest of the State to ensure equal opportunity for all through enforcement of Title 20 of the State Government Article and Title 19 of the State Finance & Procurement Article, Annotated Code of Maryland.  MCCR investigates complaints of discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations and state contracts filed by members of protected classes under federal and state law.

U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD)

The U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) is the premier federal agency that focuses on expanding homeownership, increasing access to affordable housing, strengthening communities through economic development, fighting housing discrimination, and tackling homelessness issues.

Stay Connected with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights

 BAZELON CENTER TO HOLD FREE VIRTUAL AWARDS SPECIAL

ONE WEEK AWAY - REGISTER NOW!

Image Description: Navy blue design at the top with a golden sunray design with the Bazelon 50 years logo. White and blue background. Red, gold, and black lettering. Descending vertically: Bazelon 50 Years - 2022 Virtual Annual Awards, Thursday, September 22nd 2022, 7pm EST featuring special guests & awardees. Followed by photos and descriptions: Emcee Jonathan Capehart, Associate Editor, The Washington Post & MSNBC Anchor; Performer Lachi Award-winning recording artist and founder/president of RAMPD, Emmy-nominated TV personality, author and activist, Jonathan Van Ness; Athlete Advocate of the Year Laurie Hernandez, Olympic Champion and Mental Health Advocate; Congressional Champion Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA); Innovator of the Year Vanessa Green, Call BlackLine®; Social Justice Awardee Wade Henderson, Civil Rights and Human Rights Leader; Emerging Advocate of the Year Stefanie Lyn Kaufman-Mthimkhulu, Project LETS; Outstanding Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year Elizabeth B. McCallum, Baker and Hostetler LLP; Lifetime Advocacy Award Harvey Rosenthal, NYAPRS, Inc.; Lifetime Advocacy Award Laura Van Tosh, Founder/Convener, Mental Health Policy Roundtable; Lifetime Advocacy Award (In Memoriam) Sally Zinman, Mental Health Advocate; Hyperlinked: Admission is FREE. Click here to RSVP. Open Captioning, ASL, and Audio Descriptions will be provided. Request additional accommodations, communications@bazelon.org www.bazelon.org, www.bazelon50.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @bazeloncenter

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Date: Thursday, September 22, 2022 Time: 7 PM ET Location: Virtual Cost: FREE Registration: Open NOW Open Captioning, ASL, and audio transcriptions will be provided. Request additional accommodations at communications@bazelon.org. This year's sponsors include: Baker & Hostetler LLP, Bank of America, Bender Consulting Services, Inc., Brown Goldstein & Levy, BRG, Dignity Memorial, eSSENTIAL Accessibility, Georgia Advocacy Office, Gilbert Employment Law, P.C., Goodwin Proctor LLP, Highmark, MIDA Associates, PNC, Reed Smith, Rosen Bien Galvan & Grunfeld, LLP, and Vanguard Communications REGISTER HERE Re-watch our 2021 Awards (video) HERE. Learn about sponsorship opportunities (PDF) HERE. www.bazelon.org | bazelon50.org.

 RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS WORKSHOP TO BE HELD

Religious Accommodations During The Jewish Holiday Season Virtual Presentation by:  Kara N. Hunt, Ph.D. Director of Education & Outreach  Featuring Panelist: Howard Libit, Executive Director of the Baltimore Jewish Council   Are you wondering how you could best support your staff and community as the Jewish holiday season approaches? Join MCCR Education & Outreach Director Kara N. Hunt, Ph.D., & Guest Speaker Baltimore Jewish Council Executive Director Howard Libit for a workshop on religious accommodations during the Jewish Holiday Season. This workshop will focus on the legal understanding of reasonable accommodation for religious beliefs and practices of an employee or prospective employee by an employer. This program will also provide an overview of Traditions and Religious Practices, strategies for Respect and Inclusivity, Key Terms and Best Practices.   Date and time:   Thursday, September 29, 2022  12pm-2pm EST Register Here via Eventbrite   For Reasonable Accommodation Requests please contact:  Renee Hickman at: Renee.Hickman@maryland.gov no later than one week prior to the event Victim of Discrimination? Training & Partnerships HOME      ABOUT MCCR      SERVICES      PUBLICATIONS      EVENTS      PRESS      CONTACT US