Front City Hall (looking north west and upward angle)

Ames Human Relations Commission

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Nominations are open for the Humanitarian Award!

The award recognizes a worthy individual whose contributions to our community demonstrate extraordinary quality, especially in promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity. Nominees must be residents of Ames. Nominations will be accepted through Friday, November 29, 2024.

2025 MLK Celebration Essay Contests Now Open!

Submissions for the 4th Annual Essay Writing Contest to commemorate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. are due Sunday, December 15, 2024. Click here for more information.

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The Ames Human Relations Commission's (AHRC) purpose is to study the existence of discrimination in the community and work to minimize or eliminate it, promote goodwill among the various racial, religious, and ethnic groups in the City, and cooperate with other organizations to develop programs designed to eliminate racial, religious, cultural, and intergroup tensions. AHRC generally meets the fourth Thursday of each month at 5:30 pm. For questions, contact the City Manager's Office at 515-239-5101.

Members

Chunhui Chen, Chair
Wayne Clinton
Pablo Suarez Beltran
Annabella Marquez
Marty Martinez
Shawn Kenny
Vacant (1)
Casandra Eames, City of Ames Staff Liaison

Click here to meet the Human Relation Commissioners

Meeting Information

Agendas and Minutes

General Information

Commission in Action

AHRC Meeting
AHRC Inclusive Crosswalk Painting
Happy Chinese New Year!
- The Chinese New Year - also known as the Lunar New Year and, in China, as the Spring Festival - was rung in on Sunday, January 22, 2023, but festivities go on for more than two weeks, with feasts, family reunions and many other local, regional and national celebrations. Click the link above to watch a short video put together by the AHRC and local community members to learn more.
Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration with AHRC Humanitarian Award Winners
- Click here to learn about how Ames/Story County celebrates this special holiday in January in our Community.
Sharing Our Own Stories: Ames' Black Voices
- Click here to read Commission member Wayne Clinton's stor y, as told at "Sharing Our Own Stories: Ames' Black Voices" series. This series at Ames Public Library will highlight a variety of Black voices and their experiences in Ames, through storytelling.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Month
- May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month! As a highly diverse population with 23 million members, Asian American and Pacific Islanders have significantly contributed to American history, society, and culture. In 1992, Congress passed a law that designated the month of May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
- To promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in our community, the Ames AAPI groups and organizations are planning an event to celebrate the 2023 AAPI Heritage Month. The celebration includes an essay contest and an in-person event at Iowa State University on May 6.
- While the contributions of AAPI have been widely recognized, their communities still face stigmatization, discrimination, and even physical violence. To help the public better understand, recognize, and celebrate the contributions and heritage of AAPI communities, an essay contest is being held for students in middle school through college.
- The winners of the contest will be presented at the event on May 6. All students are encouraged to participate in the essay contest.
- In addition to the Ames Human Relations Commission, the celebration and essay contest are sponsored by Ames Chinese Language Academy, Asiatic Philharmonia Society, ISU AAPI Faculty & Staff Association, ISU Chinese Faculty & Staff Association, Indian Cultural Association of Central Iowa, Korean American Society of Iowa, Ames Chinese Association, ISU Student Associations of Chinese, Indian, Korean, Malaysian, and Pakistan, and ISU Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Annual Reports

Award Applications

Humanitarian Award Application
- This award recognizes a worthy individual whose contributions to our community demonstrate extraordinary quality, especially in promoting diversity, inclusion and equity. Recipients are presented with the award during the community Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration held annually in January. To be eligible to receive the award, the nominee must reside in Ames.
- Applications are available at the above link in mid-October each year through the deadline. The application deadline is Friday, November 29, 2024.
- Questions? Send inquiries to humanrelations@cityofames.org and to Casandra Eames at casandra.eames@cityofames.org.
A Home for Everyone Award Application
- This award recognizes and honors an individual or organization that has made an exemplary commitment to providing safe, quality, and equitable housing opportunities that enhance the quality of life of members of disadvantaged populations. The selected individual or organization will be recognized during Fair Housing Month. To be eligible to receive the award, the nominee must provide housing in the City of Ames.
- Applications are available at the above link in mid-January each year through the deadline. Applications are due Wednesday, March 20, 2024.
- Questions? Send inquiries to humanrelations@cityofames.org and to Casandra Eames at casandra.eames@cityofames.org.

Contact Us

Email: humanrelations@cityofames.org

Phone: 515-239-5101

Supplemental Information

Filing a Complaint

If you feel that you have been unlawfully discriminated against, you may file a discrimination complaint. AHRC refers complaints to the Iowa Civil Rights Commission. You may contact the City Manager's Office at 515-239-5101 for assistance and/or file a complaint using the Complaint Form. To fill the application out electronically, save it to your computer first, then open it and complete the application.

Once the forms are complete, return them to the City Manager's Office at 515 Clark Avenue, Ames, IA 50010. Your complaint will be submitted to the Iowa Civil Rights Commission for investigation. As an alternative, you may contact the Iowa Civil Rights Commission directly with your complaint or questions at:

Iowa Civil Rights Commission
Grimes State Office Building
400 E. 14th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319-0201
Phone: (515) 281-4121, (800) 457-4416
FAX: (515) 242-5840

Website: https://icrc.iowa.gov/file-complaint/outline-complaint-process
This link outlines what you can expect to happen once a complaint has been filed.

You may also want to refer to Chapter 14 of the Ames Municipal Code.

Liaison to LGBTQ+ and Local Community Organizations

Any person who has concerns or questions regarding LGBTQ+ matters or local community organizations may contact the following City staff:

Casandra Eames, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator at 515-239-5219
- Located in the City Manager's Office, City Hall, 515 Clark Ave, Ames, IA

Resolution Reaffirming the Public Safety Function of Local Law Enforcement for the City of Ames

The Ames City Council adopted a resolution reaffirming the public safety function of local law enforcement at its June 27, 2017, meeting. View the resolution here.

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