HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 4/2/2024 - Memorandum From Claudia Menendez Re: 2023 Equity & Inclusion Office Impact ReportEquity & inclusion Office
300 LaPorte Ave
PO Box 580, Fort Collins, CO 80522
970-232-0512
cmenendez@fcgov.com
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MEMORANDUM
Date: March 25, 2024
To: Mayor and City Councilmembers
Through: Kelly DiMartino, City Manager
Rupa Venkatesh, Assistant City Manager
From: Claudia Menendez, Equity Officer
Subject: 2023 Equity & Inclusion Office Impact Report
BOTTOM LINE
The Equity & Inclusion Office completed its second full year in 2023. This impact report shows
the multifaceted work the Equity team is doing to advance equitable outcomes for staff and for
the greater Fort Collins community.
We welcome any comments or feedback you have regarding the Equity & Inclusion Office. We
greatly appreciate your ongoing support.
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Office of Equity & Inclusion
2023 Impact Report
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Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 3
Equity Plan Summary ................................................................................................................. 4
Equity Plan Goals ................................................................................................................... 4
Goal 1: Commitment & Common Language in the Workplace ............................................. 4
Goal 2: Inclusive & Equitable Engagement ......................................................................... 4
Goal 3: Data Accountability ................................................................................................. 5
Inclusive Engagement & Education ............................................................................................ 6
PRIDE Celebration ................................................................................................................. 6
2023 Proclamations ................................................................................................................ 7
Gender Inclusive Restrooms .................................................................................................. 8
Equity & Inclusion Education and Training .............................................................................. 8
Foundations Series April-June ................................................................................................ 9
Transformative Frameworks July-September ......................................................................... 9
Equity Collaborative ................................................................................................................ 9
Employee Resource Groups ..................................................................................................10
CSU Symposium for Inclusive Excellence .............................................................................10
Native American Community Engagement ............................................................................11
Latiné/Hispanic Heritage Month .............................................................................................14
The Chair Portrait Project ......................................................................................................14
Event Partnership ..................................................................................................................15
Boards & Commissions .............................................................................................................16
Human Relations Commission ..............................................................................................16
Education and Outreach Committee: .................................................................................16
Human Relations Awards ...................................................................................................16
Disability Advisory Board .......................................................................................................17
Equity Grant Fund .....................................................................................................................19
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Introduction
The Fort Collins Office of Equity & Inclusion is invested in relational work that fosters trust in the
community and creates an inclusive community through commitment, data accountability and
inclusive engagement. Working in collaboration to cultivate joyful, safe, inclusive and accessible
community environments for all is our highest priority.
Municipalities are the level of government closest to its people. The decisions we make on
policy, process, service delivery and design of civic engagement opportunities have profound
impacts on daily community life. We have the responsibility to provide services that create a
sense of inclusion and belonging for community members of diverse backgrounds and those
who have often been excluded from decisions, leadership, processes and resources.
The Office of Equity & Inclusion dedicates time and resources concurrently to internal staff
development and relationships as well as community trust-building. These spheres are
intrinsically overlapping and connected. We must focus internally to ensure we create an
inclusive workplace that fosters a culture of belonging for all employees. Our commitment to the
belonging, safety and well-being of all employees also directs and reflects on our work with
community groups. Our efforts are inclusive of all identities across the organization and the Fort
Collins community.
The hiring of two full-time positions dedicated to equal opportunity in the workplace and
community is a great example of the City’s commitment to accessibility. It also demonstrates the
willingness to adjust and invest in talent to deliver improved programs and services. Up until
mid-2023, both Equal Opportunity responsibilities were held under one full-time position.
Investigation and compliance are complex areas and as the Office of Equity & Inclusion adopted
these responsibilities it became evident that these specialized workflows merited being split into
two full-time positions. We welcome our new colleagues and look forward to a productive 2024!
Staffing & Building the Office of Equity & Inclusion
October 2023: Rehire Lead Equity & Inclusion Specialist
November 2023: Rehire Lead Equal Opportunity Investigator
November 2023: Hire Lead Equal Opportunity & Compliance Specialist
January 2024: Hire Data Analyst Specialist; a shared position with the Social
Sustainability Housing Team
We look forward to ongoing work and focusing on building even stronger relationships with staff
and the community in 2024.
Sincerely,
Claudia Menendez
Equity & Inclusion Officer
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Equity Plan Summary
The Office of Equity & Inclusion shares responsibility with all departments to develop and apply
an equity lens to its work. Everyone has a role to play, so it is vital that there is a shared
understanding of why equity is important and how everyday decision-making can work toward
providing equitable, supportive experiences for all community members.
The Office of Equity & Inclusion strives to represent community voices, especially those voices
most excluded, and work to include their ideas, needs and hopes into programs, projects and
policy decision-making. For this to be true, we must first get to know the diversity of thoughts.
Investing time to hear from all voices in the community is critical so that open and honest
conversations can take place and trust is felt between community members and local
government representatives. Trust leads to equitable and inclusive community development
where individuals in the community have their needs heard and met.
The 2023-2026 Equity & Inclusion Plan will help define our collective work to implement the
shared vision toward building a more inclusive and equitable Fort Collins. Listed below are the
three prioritized goals identified to embed equity in all stages of project planning and
implementation:
Equity Plan Goals
Goal 1: Commitment & Common Language in the Workplace
We will normalize and operationalize a Citywide understanding of equity and inclusion principles
and provide development opportunities for staff across all levels.
Work started in 2023 and in progress:
Creating a guide of terms and definitions to help staff maintain consistency and
increase their understanding. Product for Q2 of 2024.
Hosting learning opportunities for staff to establish relationships and spaces for
processing and learning.
Goal 2: Inclusive & Equitable Engagement
We will build organizational capacity to engage and partner with community groups to co-create
how we advance equity for all, emphasizing participation of demographic and geographic
groups most impacted by identified disparities and inequities.
Work started in 2023 and in progress:
Lunch & Learn, in collaboration with Communications and Public Information
Office (CPIO), to discuss elements of inclusive engagement and communication
plan considerations, such as language justice needs.
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Hosting, coordinating, and guiding staff teams and community on best practices
for engaging historically excluded groups.
Applying equity readiness assessments to gauge best level of engagement
specific to a project context.
Spanish language civic engagement focus group convening monthly during 2023.
Supporting community-led initiatives and what community has identified as
interests, needs, and areas of focus.
Goal 3: Data Accountability
We will systematically collect, analyze, and interpret qualitative and quantitative data,
disaggregated by race data, to remain accountable and transparent to the City organization and
community. Data will inform updates to policies, programs, and services to increase access for
those most impacted by social, economic, environmental inequities.
Work started in 2023 and in progress:
Planned and organized Lunch & Learn with staff panel to share how equity
indicator data are being used to make data-informed decisions towards equitable
outcomes.
Facilitated equity readiness assessment conversations to assist project teams in
determining a project’s level of impact.
Hired a Data Analyst position shared with the Housing team.
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Inclusive Engagement & Education
The events highlighted in this section demonstrate the care taken to build highly collaborative
community projects. These events all required months of preparation and many planning
meetings and conversations to come to fruition. Collaboration to create inclusive events is
paramount for building community trust and a strong sense of belonging in Fort Collins. It is
through these connections that community diversity is celebrated in programming and services
and the marginalized voices are elevated, heard, and valued and become a prominent part of
the social fabric in the community.
PRIDE Celebration
On July 15, the Equity Office was a sponsor of the PRIDE Community Celebration at Civic
Center Park organized by NoCo Equality. We tabled along with many staff volunteers and
celebrated with over 4,000 attendees. Mayor Pro Tem Emily Francis and Councilmember Kelly
Ohlson also joined us as we engaged community members in many conversations by asking
these four questions:
What is your favorite place in Fort Collins?
How could the City make you feel more welcome in Fort Collins?
What is one thing you would like the City to focus on in the 5 years?
What makes you feel most welcome in Fort Collins?
Description: Four boards, each with small stickie notes in yellow, blue, green, and pink.
From the provided engagement notes, several main themes and priorities emerged. Overall,
these themes reflect a community that values inclusivity, social justice, environmental
stewardship, and vibrant cultural and recreational opportunities. This list of themes was
generated by ChatGPT:
1. Inclusivity and Welcoming Environment: Participants express the importance
of feeling welcome and included in the community, with mentions of gender-
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neutral restrooms, diverse housing options, and kind, patient people making them
feel welcome.
2. Social Equity and Justice: There is a strong emphasis on social equity, with
desires for affordable housing, support for marginalized communities including the
homeless and LGBTQ+ individuals, and representation in City governance.
3. Community Engagement and Events: Residents appreciate community-building
events, diverse entertainment options, and spaces where people can gather and
connect, such as Downtown events, parks and cafes.
4. Environmental Sustainability: Concerns and desires for environmental
sustainability are evident, including composting, reduction of noise pollution,
promotion of bike lanes and trails, and efforts to benefit wildlife.
5. Health and Well-being: Priorities include access to mental health resources,
harm reduction for drug use, support for LGBTQ+ youth in schools, and safe
spaces for children and families.
6. Transportation and Infrastructure: Residents seek improvements in
transportation infrastructure, including more public transportation options, bike
lanes and safer streets.
7. Cultural and Recreational Spaces: There's a desire for diverse cultural spaces,
recreational areas like parks and trails, and support for local businesses,
particularly those owned by marginalized communities.
2023 Proclamations
Proclamations are one way to bring people together and encourage community members to be
involved and participate in all aspects of City government. Proclamations elevate the diversity of
cultures, traditions, achievements, celebrations and special days, months and annual
recognitions. For many of the proclamations listed below community members were involved in
writing and shaping the meaning of proclamations. In some cases, the proclamations are
coupled with a reception to give staff and community members the opportunity to connect and
learn about each other.
The following proclamation readings were organized by the Office of Equity & Inclusion:
March 7 – International Women’s Day
April 4 – Southwest Asian North African Heritage Month
April 18 – Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month
June 6 – PRIDE Month with community reception
June 6 – Juneteenth with community reception
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September 19 – Hispanic Heritage Month with community reception featuring The
Chair Portrait Project
October 3 – Indigenous People's Day with community reception
October 17 – National Disability Employment Awareness Month
November 21 – Native American Heritage Month
November 21 – Transgender Acceptance Month with community reception
December 5 – National Human Rights Day jointly with Human Relations Awards
Ceremony
Gender Inclusive Restrooms
PRIDE Employee Resource Group and Office of Equity & Inclusion continue to partner with
Operation Services to identify where gender inclusive, single occupancy restrooms will be
located. Signage for those bathrooms will be specific to show that all gender identities may use
them and maps to show the locations so individuals can easily find an inclusive restroom. This
project has provided an opportunity for staff from across departments to talk openly and
increase understanding around sexual orientation, gender roles, gender identity, gender
expression, and caretaking responsibilities and how the City can be supportive of all identities to
meet their basic needs in a safe environment.
Equity & Inclusion Education and Training
The Equity Office collaborated with the Parks Department to offer two one-hour training courses
on Understanding Sense of Belonging in the workplace and connecting to the revised mission,
vision and values the City recently adopted. The Equity Office partnered with seasoned
facilitator Kyle Oldham from Colorado State University (CSU) to prepare and deliver the training
to nearly 80 Parks team members.
Description: a group of people wearing orange t-shirts and yellow vests seated in a large
room. A man speaking into a microphone with a large screen above and behind him.
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Foundations Series April-June
A series of three professional development sessions designed to build organizational capacity
around equity and inclusion were facilitated by local social justice facilitator, coach and
consultant Dr. Cori Wong of Positive Philosophy Consulting. These sessions help align and
inform equity efforts at the City and deepen employee understanding of how to engage in equity
work. Participants learned how to apply an equity lens to everyday operations, responsibilities
and decision-making. One hundred employees registered for these sessions.
Transformative Frameworks July-September
Nearly 100 staff members attended the next three-part series offered by Dr. Wong. Building
upon the Foundations Series, participants learned how to develop an integrated account of
power, love and freedom grounded in a critical lens of equity. This framework is fundamentally
geared toward shifting culture – it is applicable to decision-making and behavior change on
individual, group and organizational levels while also providing a meaningful avenue for
personal and professional development.
These sessions took employees’ understanding of equity to a deeper level by providing an even
stronger framework for guiding collective choices and actions toward systemic transformation. It
purposefully expanded on the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of equitable culture change.
To enrich a shared learning process and provide space for deeper engagement, follow-up
sessions for each topic for both three-part series were held in the form of small group
discussions with a primary emphasis on a fishbowl-style conversation. The format encouraged
learning opportunities through multiple means for engaging in thoughtful dialogue, personal
integration of the content and meaning-making, and exploration of how equity concepts can be
applied. The fishbowl format created space for individuals to listen to and learn with each other
by participating in or observing a fluid dialogue with the facilitator and a dynamic group of self -
selecting colleagues.
Equity Collaborative
In 2023 the Equity Office launched the Equity Collaborative (EC). The EC is composed of
dedicated equity champions and our purpose is to build relationships, share information,
collaborate and strategize how to embed equity leadership across the City. The EC is focused
on strategic alignment to improve consistency and effectiveness across efforts, to offer
meaningful opportunities for staff to grow as leaders and changemakers while shaping
institutional culture, to strengthen cross-department relationship-building and communication,
and to intentionally embody an inclusive, accountable, supportive and intersectional culture we
want to see. We encourage and value a growth-oriented culture of feedback, honesty, and
transparency for all staff. We currently have 30 staff members dedicated to this work.
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Employee Resource Groups
In 2023 we began a process to help define purpose and vision for each Employee Resource
Group (ERG). We partnered with consultant Patrice Palmer to develop a series of opportunities
to develop ERGs to ensure every group has a well-defined trajectory and understands their part
in the broader organization. A strong focus was placed on defining how support for ERGs will be
structured and care taken to create a network that operates in tandem with ERGs and not only
promotes collaboration but also ensures a seamless line of communication reaching all
echelons of leadership. This foundational work will continue in 2024 so that the organization can
have a shared understanding and commitment of ERGs.
CSU Symposium for Inclusive Excellence
In October we partnered with CSU’s Office of Inclusive Excellence, La Familia, Larimer County,
Positive Philosophy and the United Way of Larimer County to create a community-centered tract
for the symposium. We had nearly 80 participants attend.
Community Disparity Data: Discussion on
how inequities persist across communities
and affect education, healthcare,
employment, housing and more.
Elevating and Connecting: Asset mapping
identity-based efforts to foster places and
spaces of belonging; interactive world café
style session where participants shared
lived experiences and stories.
Everyday Organizing through our
Relationships: Explore emergent
strategies to create and maintain
relationships and leverage personal
relationships to nurture local culture of
proactive community responsiveness.
Stories and experiences were shared. These were
collected and the qualitative data analyzed, and
findings can be found as an addendum at the end
of report.
Description: Event poster with orange background with
white text; photos of people’s faces under the top
paragraph and to the left and right of the orange box.
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Native American Community Engagement
Work with the Native American community has focused wholeheartedly on bringing community
together, creating spaces of belonging, rebuilding trust in government, and resourcing events
and activities that are meaningful to the community. The collaboration between staff and the
community has been encouraging and reciprocal, leading to many successful and well-attended
events. Here is a shortlist of the areas of focus and Native-led initiatives in 2023:
Coordinate quarterly community meetings, four in total
Bison Blessing at Soapstone Prairie Natural Area
Community and City co-led planning and coordination for Native plants garden
bed at the Gardens on Spring Creek
Community attendance for Ajijaak puppet show at the Lincoln Center
Hiring of four hourly employees to create the Native Nations Community Advisory
Panel (NNCAP)
Support for Northern Colorado Indigenous Powwow Assoc. Powwow in April
City Land Acknowledgement developed by NNCAP and community input
Mayor Arndt, Mayor Pro Tem Francis, and City Manager’s Office staff attend
government-to-government Tribal Consultation in October
Support and provide space for the annual Harvest Dinner
Support and provide space for Christmas Banquet
Food Bank partnership established for Native Elders food security program
Description: A group of people of about 60 people
gathered for a photo in an open field.
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In April the Native American community gathered at the Museum of Discovery to learn about the
Lakota relationship with bison and the meaning of holding a traditional Lakota blessing. Dr. Alice
Moore and Phillip Chavez each sang a buffalo song. Dinner was provided following the
presentation with approximately 70 people attending!
The Native American community gathered at Soapstone Natural Area for a bison blessing. Mr.
Moore and Dr. Alice Moore held a traditional ceremony to welcome the new “relatives.” The
participants were again blessed with traditional songs and drumming from Mr. Chavez, Dr.
Moore, Mr. Moore and Cody Davenport. A box lunch and beverages were provided for the more
than 80 community members who attended this special event.
Description: City Manager, Kelly DiMartino, stands in front of a
colorful mural depicting bison. She wears a red sweater, has her
hair pulled back, and has dark frame glasses.
On Oct. 9, the Equity & Inclusion Office co-sponsored in partnership with Trees, Water & People
(TWP) a community gathering where many local Indigenous community members joined in
celebration. City Manager Kelly DiMartino read the City’s Proclamation and Mayor Jeni Arndt
read excerpts from the 2022 resolution declaring the first Monday of October as Indigenous
Peoples’ Day. This event featured local Native Elders who shared an opening prayer and
blessing, as well as artists and musicians featuring flute, drums, and traditional dancers. The
celebration was held at the Bison Mural, which is located at Front Range Village in the
Courtyard on Council Tree Avenue. The beautiful mural was created by Oglala Lakota artist,
Isaiah Stewart. This event is an example of the City’s commitment to support and bring visibility
to the rich cultural history and continued cultural contributions from the diverse local Native
American community representative of multiple Tribal Nations.
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In December the Native Nations Community Advisory Panel led the co-creation of the Land
Acknowledgement for the City of Fort Collins to be read at significant public City events:
We acknowledge and honor the lands situated within the City of Fort
Collins as the original homelands of the Hinono’eiteen (Arapaho),
Tsétsėhéstȧhese (Cheyenne), Nʉmʉnʉʉ (Comanche), Caiugu (Kiowa),
Čariks i Čariks (Pawnee), Sosonih (Shoshone), Oc'eti S'akowin (Lakota)
and Núuchiu (Ute) Peoples. This area is an important site of trade,
gathering, and healing for these Native Nations. These lands are home to
a diverse urban Native community representing multiple Native Nations
and Indigenous Peoples. Despite forced removal and land dispossession,
they continue to thrive as resilient members of our community. We are
grateful for Native community members and honor the rich cultural
heritage they bring to our collective community. We further recognize and
value their social, intellectual, economic, and cultural contributions. The
City of Fort Collins is committed to supporting, partnering, and working
with the Native and Indigenous community.
In October 2023, the City of Fort Collins initiated Tribal Consultation for specific Natural Areas
projects and established Government-to-Government relations to help guide decisions around
the management and protection of cultural material resources. The three current projects are:
1. Fossil/Stanton Creek Restoration Project
2. Arapaho Bend Natural Areas Project
3. Soapstone Prairie Leopard Frog Restoration Project & Willow Planting
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Latiné/Hispanic Heritage Month
On Oct. 14 the Office of Equity & Inclusion
with City partners at the Gardens on Spring
Creek and Cultural Services hosted the first
annual Latiné/Hispanic Heritage Month
Community Celebration. This is the first
community-wide collaboration engaging non-
profits, agencies, small businesses, several
City departments, and over 800 community
members. Cultural Services took the lead in
creating a vibrant list of performers to
showcase the rich diversity of Latin America.
The Gardens on Spring Creek was a
beautiful setting for all to enjoy and brought
many first-time visitors to the Gardens.
Description: A poster is dark blue with a yellow
box that says Latiné/Hispanic Heritage Month.
There are logos for agencies sponsoring the
event displayed along the bottom.
The Chair Portrait Project
In alignment with the community’s Latiné and Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation, the Equity
Office and Cultural Community Programs featured local photographer Yamel Alfaro's portrait
Project The Chair, a collection of portraits of women of color from Northern Colorado. The meet
and greet event drew 120 community members to view the project, connect with each other and
City leaders, and witness the proclamation.
View a video about the Chair Portrait
Project, produced by FCTV.
Description: People stand by tables and
look at portraits of women featured for
the project.
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Event Partnership
The Office of Equity & Inclusion partnered with many community-led events by providing
sponsorship and space for the events. This is an area where community groups are requesting
increased support and for the City to show their commitment to recognizing cultural diversity
and investing in meaningful events and celebrations prioritized by community groups.
January 16: Dr. Martin Luther King Community Celebration (2,000 attendees)
January 25: Native American Community Meeting (30 attendees)
February 4: Asian Lunar New Year Celebration (100 attendees)
March 25: Native American Community Meeting (20 attendees)
January-December: Culture Classes led by Northern CO Intertribal Powwow
Association (NICPA) (200 attendees)
NEW April 2: Bison Blessing at Soapstone Natural Area (100 attendees)
April 8-10: Northern CO Intertribal Powwow Association (NCIPA) Powwow (3,000
attendees)
NEW April 30: Día del Niño (400 attendees)
June 14: PRIDE & Juneteenth Proclamation and Reception (100 attendees)
June 17-19: Juneteenth Community Event (2,500 attendees)
NEW July 19: NoCo Equality PRIDE Celebration (3,000 attendees)
NEW October 15: Latiné/Hispanic Heritage Month Community Celebration (1,000
attendees)
NEW October 4: Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration and Mural Inauguration
(500 attendees)
NEW November 16: Indigenous Harvest Dinner (130 attendees)
NEW December 16: Native American Christmas Celebration (250 families)
Quarterly Multicultural Community Resource Fair (500 at each event)
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Boards & Commissions
The Office of Equity & Inclusion works together with the Human Relations Commission (HRC)
and Disability Advisory Board (DAB). All projects initiated by the HRC and DAB are coordinated
in partnership with the Office of Equity & Inclusion.
Human Relations Commission
The Human Relations Commission (HRC) was established by City Council to enhance the
acceptance and respect for diversity through educational programs and activities, and to
embrace inclusion of individuals reflective of characteristics such as race, ethnicity, gender
identity and expression, physical abilities/qualities, sex, sexual/affectional orientation, age,
culture, different ideas and perspectives, familial status, immigration status, geographic
background, marital status, national origin, religious and spiritual beliefs, socioeconomic status,
and veteran status.
Education and Outreach Committee:
Organized and delivered “The Human Library” program held on Feb. 26 at the
Museum of Discovery in collaboration with the program co-sponsors: the City of Fort
Collins Office of Equity & Inclusion, the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, and the
Poudre River Public Library District. The program was designed to promote
understanding of individual differences – to unjudge a human “book” by its cover.
Approximately 130 “readers” attended the program, and 25 human “books” shared
their stories of intolerance and bias. Due to the success of the program, the HRC will
support a 2024 Human Library program in late summer.
On Oct. 5, the City’s Office of Equity & Inclusion and the HRC sponsored the
“Unmasking Microaggressions” educational program at the Senior Center. This
session was facilitated by Dr. Coronda Ziegler, HRC member, and approximately 100
community members attended. Dinner was provided.
Human Relations Awards
The annual Human Relations Awards ceremony recognizes individuals and organizations in our
community that promote equity, inclusion and respect for diversity. Twenty-eight nominations
were received and one individual or group is selected by the commission member votes. In
addition, the event includes the reading of the Human Rights Day Proclamation.
The 2023 Awards Ceremony was held on Dec. 5 at City Hall and celebrated the following
recipients:
Youth Award: Larimer County Teen Activity Center 212
Individual Award: Karen Wong-Brown
Individual Award: Laura Michelle MacWaters
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Organization/Team Award: Cultural Enrichment Center
Organization/Team Award: Northern Colorado Intertribal Powwow Association
Read the full 2023 HRC Annual Report at www.fcgov.com/humanrelations.
Disability Advisory Board
A group of DAB members and City staff in front of a stage.
The Disability Advisory Board (DAB) advocates for overall inclusivity through the improvement,
exposure, education and participation of the community while increasing the level of awareness
with the needs, hopes and desires of those with disabilities in the community.
On Oct. 19, the DAB hosted the Awards Ceremony for the first time since the pandemic. It was
a heartfelt and well attended celebration of many community members who dedicate their time
to creating inclusion, purpose and belonging for people living with neurodiversity and physical
disabilities. Listed below are the award categories and recipients:
Diversity and Inclusion Employer: Disabled Resource Services
Inclusive Services Excellence: People First of Larimer County
Kindness Ambassador of the Year: Luis Montalvo
Life-Changing Worker: Mallory Kudma
Community Impact Inspiration: Jeff Swoboda
Inclusive Teaching Excellence: Wendi Miller
Dorothy Lasley Memorial Award: Daisy Montgomery
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One of the areas of focus the Office of Equity & Inclusion has facilitated with the DAB is related
to transportation and Dial-A-Ride (DAR) eligibility and services. Below is a summary:
Improved conversations and cultivated a relationship with Transfort through
monthly reviews of transportation issues and ongoing progress toward service
capabilities.
Transfort agreed to provide quarterly updates of key initiatives and ongoing
projects to the Disability Advisory Board. Will carry these efforts into 2024.
Advocated for the expansion of DAR services for all qualified individuals within
City limits.
Actively provided input on the DAR Eligibility Application and recommended
removal of barriers and streamlining the application process. Will continue these
efforts in 2024.
Consulted with Rachel Ruhlen on SPIN to lessen parking barriers with e-bikes and
scooters.
Advocated for updated bus stops and overall usability and accessibility.
Consulted with DAR staff on implementing a mobile application. They are
anticipating this coming at the end of 2024.
Read the DAB full 2023 annual report at www.fcgov.com/dab.
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Equity Grant Fund
The Equity &Inclusion Office managed $400,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in
the form of grants. We created the Equity Grant Fund to provide monies for eligible social justice
organizations and individuals directly addressing the impact of and recovery from the COVID-19
pandemic for Fort Collins community groups most in need of targeted support and resources.
This fund focused on supporting organizations that create connection and supportive networks
for various community groups, institutions and agencies who work with identities and groups
that represent ethnically, culturally and or linguistically diverse groups; youth and older adults;
LGBTQIA+ individuals and groups; neurodiverse people living with various mental and physical
disabilities; as well as veterans.
This was an opportunity to put equity into action. The fund supported creative, innovative,
culturally sensitive, language-specific, community-centric programming, and organizational
support for diverse identities and communities most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Below
are some high-level achievements:
1. Black and Biracial Youth Enrichment
Gathered testimonials from students about the importance of participating in
the Black youth community.
New participants' experiences assessed through video testimonials.
Improved housing stability after utilizing funds; leaning on Housing Specialists
to review budgets and reduce costs.
Increased music programming, socio-emotional well-being, engagements, and
payments to local musicians.
2. United Way Community Impact Center
Achieved full occupancy of the Community Impact Center hosting eight small
non-profits.
Completed building improvements, including exterior mural, interior design,
and more.
3. Interfaith Solidarity & Accompaniment Coalition
Integrated immigrant community members into the county through increased
knowledge and access to services.
Provided services for increased economic stability, improved mental health
and long-term security.
Positive impact measured through client surveys with high percentages in
feeling safer, gaining knowledge and likelihood of accessing resources.
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4. BIPOC/LGBTQ Youth Circles
Reduced sessions from 17 to 14 due to budget reduction.
Achieved 68 youth contacts, AcuDetox training, and successful engagement of
BIPOC team members.
Maintained focus on outcomes of serving more participants and increasing
satisfaction.
5. Food Rescue Community Market
Increased participants by 40.5% from 2022 to 2023.
Challenges faced with space limitations and communication around food
distribution.
Valuable input gathered from the community for future improvements.
6. FoCo Cafe
Increased staff wages and served nearly twice as many Meal Exchange
Meals.
Approaching a net positive income with a smaller financial deficit than previous
years.
7. A Little Help (ALH) aging in place
Engaged 500 volunteers and served 155 older adults.
Achieved high satisfaction rates among older adults enabling them to remain
independent.
8. Youth Cultural Development (YCD) Program
Expanded programming to middle school students through a partnership with
the Boys and Girls Club.
Encountered success in engaging 8th graders and achieving program goals.
All programming created by students for students.
9. Artist Mutual Aid Network
Integrated new artists into the existing network and documented
interdisciplinary collaborations.
Various outcomes in poetry, art, acting and music collaborations.
10. Homebuyer Education Services Agreement
Supported N2N's educational outreach events and purchased technology
equipment to support ongoing education.
Provided additional resources for outreach with BIPOC Alliance and PFLAG
Northern Colorado.
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11. Native Youth Extracurricular Activities
Enabled 21 kids to participate in diverse extracurricular activities.
Shifted funding to provide direct cash grants for basic needs, supporting
educational success.
12. Youth Fellowship Program
Provided concrete professional skills, workplace connections and confidence
to 20 youth resulting in youth submitting applications for education programs
and employment.
13. Mobile Home Project
Created a sense of connection and recreation for families in challenging
circumstances living in mobile home parks in the North College area.
14. Family Conflict, Stress and Anxiety Program
Normalized discussions around family conflict and resolution and provided
tools for navigating stress and anxiety.
All programming provided in Spanish.
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