CHRC > Programs & Services

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Complaint, Mediation and Resolution Services

• Complaints – CHRC receives and investigates complaints regarding discrimination based on race, age, disability, gender, and sexual orientation; economic and housing discrimination; and other issues of human relations.  Individual and issue-oriented concerns are investigated and/or referred as needed.
• Conflict Mediation – CHRC has trained and certified mediation staff available to resolve issues involving community-wide crisis, racial or ethnic disputes, and hate crimes. 
• Unity Statement – The Cincinnati Human Relations Commission calls upon the Cincinnati community to join together in rejecting messages and demonstrations of hate.  We believe that our community must:
  • Respect and protect all people;
  • Send forth a message of compassion and dignity;
  • Engage all citizens of good will in affirming actions; and
  • Embrace non-violent action.

Public Information and Education

• Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP)
  • In partnership with Procter & Gamble Foundation, City of Cincinnati, and the Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency.
  • A project-based learning program that teaches high school-age youth skills in teamwork, verbal and written communication, leadership, computer skills, and teaches the importance of community service.
• Informational Brochures and Pamphlets, and Newsletter
• In-Focus Cable News Program - Interviews and panel discussions about human relations issues, aired on Time Warner cable channel 23.
  • CHRC’s In-Focus with Youth “Debaters” cable news program coming this year!
• Human Relations Month (Month of March) – Begun in 2007, includes an Intergenerational Youth Luncheon, International Event Festival, and a Senior Citizens’ Luncheon.
• Human Relations Summit – held in November 2007 and 2008 to provide an opportunity for community members to participate in an interactive panel discussion addressing important human relations issues facing our city.
  • Great Youth Debate (2008 Human Relations Summit)  - carried out in partnership with the College of Mount Saint Joseph, and included training youth in research, formal debate format, and persuasive public speaking skills.
• Disability Awareness Month event on Fountain Square - Held in October 2007 and 2008 to recognize organizations that advance employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
• Peace Bowl – held August 2007 and 2008; youth football tournament between neighborhood teams; held as a community-building event promoting peace and harmony.
  • In partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Cincinnati - US Bank Club in Avondale, Cincinnati Police Department, the Center for Closing the Health Gap, and the Christ Temple Full Gospel Baptist Church in Evanston.

Safety and Police Community Relations

• Cincinnati Initiative to Reduce Violence (CIRV)
  • Unites community members, service providers, and law enforcement in a coordinated partnership to keep young men from shooting each other.
  • CIRV Streetworkers identify violent groups in the community, interact with the community to send the message of “Stop the shooting,” and work to reinforce positive behavior.
  • Partners with University of Cincinnati Division of Criminal Justice, Hamilton County Adult Probation, Society for Advancing and Reforming Felons, Straight to the Heart, Out of the Crossfire, and Urban League of Greater Cincinnati.
  • Provide outreach for CeaseFire Cincinnati through Community Police Partnering Center.
• Community Outreach Workers – Conduct needs assessment of neighborhoods with highest levels of human relations needs and working with community councils to address specific needs of communities.
• Community Relations Monitors (CRM) – Keep watch on City of Cincinnati neighborhoods and assist in monitoring crowds at local events by diffusing potentially dangerous situations from the start.
• Juvenile Accountability Block Grant (JABG) – A project-based Saturday community service program for youth on parole, which receives support from the Ohio Department of Youth Services and Cincinnati Police Department.