City of Palm Springs Board / Commission / Committee, 14 Feb 2022

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From YouTube: Human Rights Commission | Feb 14 2022

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City of Palm Springs Human Rights Commission Awards - held February 14th, 2022

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And should I just let everybody in at this point yeah, okay,.

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Yeah, okay, all right, I I am doing that.

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Hi welcome man. Thank you, oh my god, so awkward.

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Yeah see it says leonard or if I don't click on that.

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All right, we are going to start the meeting. If we could ask everybody to mute yourself.

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So we don't have background noise coming on uh good evening. This is the human rights commission.

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For the city of palm springs, meeting monday february, 14 2022 happy valentine's day to everyone.

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I officially call our meeting to order and we will move in.

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Okay: okay, thank you, mr chair and everyone. If we could have you mute your microphones, please.

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uh Commissioner loyola.

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Present, commissioner,.

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President commissioner present commissioner andrade.

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Commissioner fled here, commissioner romeron president vice chair, shepard, president.

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Commissioner, cleary.

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And uh chair the heart.

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We have quorum, mr chair and our student representative.

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Jane uh student representative, lilly hanner who's there there's a team margaret's ipad she's. There.

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Carrie chris, I believe, they're all there naomi's.

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All right, excellent, so maybe jay if you could control the mute button on um on.

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Folks that will help us keep background noise down. Am I in there excellent? We.

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Will move on to item five jay? Do we have any public comments for tonight's meeting.

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uh Nothing submitted mr chair, if you'd like to ask the public if they have anything, that's fine.

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Is there anybody on call who's intending to make public comments tonight.

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Please raise your hand or speak up, so we can see you if not that's perfectly fine.

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And having I don't see any, we will move right on into uh item six and uh I will make.

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I just the only comment I had as we start off the meeting. Is we just wanted to.

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Make sure everyone knows that there is a public hearing on february 24th at 7 00 pm to get.

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Public input regarding the potential redistricting of the city council, districts.

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And possible adoption of new district boundaries, the public is invited to attend or submit.

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Information regarding their communities of interest and proposed district boundaries.

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For the redistricting process and again that's a february 24 7 pm zoom meeting and you can get more.

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Information online through the city's website, if you're interested in submitting comments.

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And now we will move into item six see how we move through our agenda here. Isn't this great.

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We will go right into item six and I will officially give a welcome to.

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All of our honorees and guests who are attending today, today's meeting is really a wonderful.

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Opportunity for the human rights community in all of our diversity to come together and.

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Understand the values that drive the work that we do during the year. Thank you all for being with us.

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And commissioners that are with us today are the vice chair, donna shepard. They will also be.

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uh Doing some of the presentations uh commissioner, terry andrade, glenn flood edward.

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Romeron kalina robles david vignorlo and student representative lilly hanny hanner will also be.

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Providing introductions, in addition, I'd like to acknowledge and welcome our city staff colleagues.

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Annie rodriguez housing program assistant and jay varada, our director of community and.

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Development uh for joining uh us and supporting us in this very special program, I'm rhonda hart.

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I'm a resident of palm springs and I'm a proud gay married mexican father of two.

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And I serve as the chairperson of the human rights commission related to our mission.

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To promote and protect the diversity of our community and to improve the human relations.

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Through education and community awareness, the human rights commission acknowledges that the.

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Land we live and work on today is the original homelands of the agua caliente ban of koea indians.

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The sovereign band of agua coliante people have stewarded this land throughout the generations.

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And continue to steward this land for all future generations. We honor and respect the many diverse.

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Indigenous peoples still connected to this land, on which we live, work and gather as a community.

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And now we will to share with you a little bit about the commission.

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We will uh share a short video.

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I just need to get it going, and here we go.

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That gives you a nice little introduction to the commission and where we have come.

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Here in the city of palm springs, so today, as the program gets underway, it we're all about community.

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We celebrate the contributions and achievements with the city of palm springs, human rights.

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Commissions, community service awards the city, our community and organizations, along with.

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Every individual place, a critical role in ensuring fundamental rights are realized for all residents.

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Since the commission was first established 29 years ago, with a mandate.

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To monitor the city's performance in meeting its human rights obligations.

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Our role, then, and now is to promote respect for the rights and dignity of everyone in palm springs.

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And to work with others to help build communities that are fair and inclusive. This dedicated.

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Commission stands ready to support the goals of and to serve the city council of palm springs.

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Through the years when people faced discrimination, harassment or human rights breaches, the commission.

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Has been there to provide information and to mediate complaints, many positive changes have.

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Taken place, but in today's political climate we see real challenges, remain human rights.

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Is not ancient history? It's about today's reality of suffering and unjust actions.

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We seek constructive, respectful conversations to try and bridge these differences. We all have a.

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Role to account for the compliance with human rights laws and based.

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Principles that prohibit discrimination on the grounds of age, sex, race, color, religion,.

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National origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation.

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Or disability, the commission has been engaged in the community from its very beginning.

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In october of 1993, the human rights commission led discussions on racial tension in the community.

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They facilitated communications between sunline transit agency and the disability community.

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Early areas of focus for the community commission included domestic abuse, hate crimes.

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Protections of senior citizens and access.

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In 1999, the commission was instrumental in working with the city council to adopt the declaration.

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Sorry about that uh to adopt the declaration of policy for protections of human dignity.

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And prevention of hate crimes the next year the domestic partnership ordinance was presented to.

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City council, on january 5th, 2000. culminating the efforts of the human rights commission to.

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Address the homeless issues in the city on may 3rd 2000, the council adopted a policy for addressing.

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The issues of poverty and the homeless in 2002, the commission was the first city commission to.

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Establish a position for youth representatives to serve this tradition continues today.

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And now youth have the opportunity to serve on other city commissions, after laws passed in 2000.

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2001 by the state mandating school districts provide safe environments for all students.

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The commission led the effort to provide training to palm springs high school students, so they could.

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Establish the very first gay straight alliance on campus, the commission even assisted in submitting.

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The applications, so the campus gsa would be recognized as part of the national gsa network.

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The commission has provided education, training and forms where numerous topics have been.

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Addressed including homelessness, mental illness, elder abuse, supporting caregivers.

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Preventing domestic abuse, the dream act, the media and discrimination and women's participation in.

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City government, the commission has also responded to important issues and many opportunities.

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To educate which it included, presentations on religious intolerance, women's issues, hate crimes.

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Gay veterans, court-appointed special advocates human trafficking, transgender rights.

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Persons with disabilities and ageism and the rights of seniors and dependent adults.

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And we recently invited the palm springs unified school district to speak on current.

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Member measures our schools have in place to achieve safe and supportive school experiences.

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For our youth, we are following the impact of several pieces of legislation that provide youth.

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With equal access to educational programs at palm springs, unified school district.

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Our specific interest is to learn of the success and challenges of implementing the school success.

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And opportunity act, success law and the fair education act in early 2017. The homelessness.

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Subcommittee report was submitted to city council by then commissioner holstage. The report reviewed.

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One of the most referenced concerns over the commission's 29 years. Our homeless population.

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Since the community awards were first presented on december 6 2001, they have had a high standard and.

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A rich history of inspirational and prestigious winners, the 2022 human rights commission, community.

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Service awards are presented to some extraordinary individuals and in org and organizations who've.

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Made outstanding contributions to our community, they shine a light on injustice and give voice.

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To those who are rarely heard, they work to stop racism to save natural and cultural resources.

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They advocate for the elders. They promote fair and respectful treatment of women.

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They fight to end discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and they work.

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Close on to close the gap on health inequality, if you can say nothing or do nothing, nothing.

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Changes the honorees today are not the say, nothing kind of people, they are the heart of our community.

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And to get us going with our first award, I will call on vice chair shepherd to do the introduction.

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Donnie you're, muted.

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There we go. Thank you very much ron. I am so excited today to welcome our first honoree.

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Ann shepherd, the most recent past, chair of the palm springs arts, commission. Anne is recognized.

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For providing leadership to support palm springs effort to invest in local arts during the cove.

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19 outbreak and helped us as a community to examine what it means to be human.

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To voice and express and to bring people and ideas together through art, with the belief that.

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Arts build social cohesion and address social equality, racial awareness and civic engagement.

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Anne's leadership of the palm springs. Art commission helped our city.

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With the covid crisis, artists are rightfully looked to as second responders in times of crisis,.

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They support mental and physical health outcomes and community resilience and rebuilding they.

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Help us escape and dream cope and mourn believe and heal and imagine and create recognized for.

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Her vision and leadership in a time of crisis to demonstrate how arts create community and.

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Allow us to communicate from afar and schaffer helped generate positivity in the community.

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Appreciation and hope during coven 19., the 2022 community service award is presented by the palm.

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Springs: human rights commission to ann shaffer: congratulations! Ann! All! Right! Thank you. Thank.

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You donna and members of the commission and thank you for sending me my award in new york, wonderful.

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um And I also want to thank you in recognizing that the what the public arts commission did.

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For coming up with the term second responders for artists, which I think is just brilliant.

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um And those of you who know me know that I could talk endlessly about the power of the arts.

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But what I think is important to this award is that in march 2020, when everything shut down.

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We were able to to use a trendy word pivot and start to move quickly with temporary, but.

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Relevant and meaningful art throughout the city- uh and I think that's where.

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We really saw what the arts could do, um but first I have to start by recognizing the members of the.

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Commission, during those past two years, russell pritchard, shonda, thomas fever, tracy, merrigan, mauer,.

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Gladstone tom yani and al murray and those who are on the commission when I joined it in 2015.

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Bonnie with hands and row amy sands, melanie brennan and josh edmondson, and I have to thank.

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The city council, for their support of what often didn't, seem to fit their perception of public art.

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And jay varada for understanding why public art is part of his department of community and economic.

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Development and supporting us all the way and, of course, former city manager, david reddy, who was.

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Willing to give us the benefit of the doubt that what we were proposing was not only a legitimate.

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Part of our mission, but effective and fun. Finally, because we're an official city commission, we felt.

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It was important to reach out and work with other city departments and commissions, and the public.

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So we did projects with the parks and rec department. The airport commission.

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The chamber of commerce main street and downtown ps, one nps, the palm springs- art museum, desert x,.

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And, very importantly, the downtown building owners who let us use their storefronts and windows.

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For these murals and activations, and most especially michael braun from grit development.

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Who not only let us play in his pit, but also actively offered and suggested locations where we.

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Could put public art so for those of you who are wondering if painting 40 benches 30 traffic boxes.

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And commissioning dozens of murals sculptures and interactive installations is really public.

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Art, let me tell you that our goal during covid was to bring some joy and color to downtown to.

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Reflect what was going on in the larger world, such as the murals of george floyd and amanda gorman,.

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And what I'm most proud of paying more than 60 artists during a tough time for them.

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So, thank you again for recognizing the importance of the arts, not just in times.

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Of crisis, but as an important part of our daily lives and our community's culture. Thank you.

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Congratulations, anne and thank you very much for all the work you.

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You do and you have done in the community next, I invite commissioner loyola to introduce.

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Our next honoree thank you, mr chairman, good evening. Our next honoree is vincent corrales.

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Vincent is recognized for turning his belief and sincerity to serve others into action. He.

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Is a warrior for humanity and serves the community in selfless and loving ways.

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During the height of the covet, 19 pandemic vincent publicly offered to run errands and shop for.

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Groceries for those 60 years or older, confined to their home due to having a compromised immune.

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System or other conditions that prevented them from being out in public his compassion drives.

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Him to regularly prepare meals for the area homeless. Vincent is a testament to the impact.

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One individual can have on the unsheltered, the hungry and those in need. He has prepared hundreds.

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Of traditional thanksgiving meals for families who otherwise would go without thanksgiving.

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Vincent is credited for improving the quality of life in palm springs. One life at the time.

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He also volunteers for various organizations and events and he's a regular writer and fundraiser.

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For aids life cycle, please welcome vincent corrales, who is recognized with the community.

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Service award for 2022. Congratulations! Thank you very much, I'm very, very honored! um I'm a.

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Little bit shy to talk in front of a bunch of people, but um I'm just very honored. For this.

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My journey doesn't stop here. I have, we all have a lot of work to do.

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To support those who are hungry and less fortunate and on the street a lot of the meals I delivered.

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Were to actually people who were housed who had homes but could not afford food so.

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This whole process could not have been possible if it wasn't for all the volunteers that helped.

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Prepare all these turkeys because I have a very small kitchen, but thanks to everybody out there.

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Who volunteered some people donated food? Some people cooked turkeys and helped me prepare.

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Meals and stuff- I couldn't have done it without the community support, so um I want to thank.

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The palm springs human rights commission for this award and I'm very honored, and that work continues.

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Thank you, excellent vincent. Do you have your award with you? I do let's hold it up and show everybody.

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There we go beautiful well. Thank you. Thank you. Thanks vincent.

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Okay, next, uh commissioner flood will come and introduce our next honoree.

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Thank you, mr chair. The next honoree is jimmy boval. I hope I pronounced that correctly.

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Jimmy is recognized for aligning business goals and initiatives with causes and social issues.

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That benefit the broader community during a time of significant challenges for him. Personally, as.

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Founder editor and publisher of the coachella family independent. He is committed to keeping.

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The community informed of pandemic science and data from the medical community.

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Jimmy is credited credited for keeping honest ethical, independent local journalism alive during.

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The covet crisis, while at the same time, supporting non-profit organizations promoting youth housing.

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And access to health and social services, like most businesses, revenue streams were severely impacted.

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They're doing the pandemic, the changing economic economy and competition from.

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Tech platforms made it difficult to continue to deliver honest local and transparent journalists.

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Jimmy, however, stayed true to his values and commitment to the community. He serves and.

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Continued to keep the community informed so they could manage the pandemic safely and make informed.

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Decisions, I'm proud to say that I hope jimmy continues his work and congratulations. Jimmy moved.

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Thank you so much. um Thank you to the uh human rights commission for the award, which.

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I got which is lovely. Thank you very much. um I think every small business owner in town probably.

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Had a moment in march or april of 2020, when they weren't quite sure if their business was going to.

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Make it through this because we've never the word unprecedented, has been used so much and too much.

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But it really was insane what happened when the pandemic came, because, no matter how much you.

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Prepared for the worst case scenario, I don't think anyone could prepare for this, but um our challenge.

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Was also at this really tough time for businesses trying to cover one of the biggest stories of our.

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Generation- and so we did the best we could, we asked our readers for help. We asked advertisers.

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For help- and I just want to thank everyone who supported the independent either as an advertiser.

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Or becoming a financial supporter or just sending a kind word and saying, thank you what you do has.

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Meanings so I just want to thank um my husband, garrett who's been very, very supportive, and I.

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Couldn't be doing this without him, because someone needs to actually make an income in.

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The family, but um I really just appreciate the town- and I appreciate the commission for this.

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Award and most of all our readers, because without our readers, what we're kind of doing is pointless.

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Congratulations jimmy. Thank you.

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And for the next award, our commissioner vignolo will do the introduction.

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Thank you, mr chair, good evening. Everyone I, our next honorees, saw a need in the community and.

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They rose to the occasion and created a solution to help vulnerable populations, access, covid19.

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Information and services, and I'm pleased that I volunteered with this organization for several.

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Months as well and vaccinate inland empire or vacci is a volunteer, grassroots organization.

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That has helped more than 78 000 people since february 2021 navigate the always changing.

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Covid19 vaccination system here in southern california, baxi was founded to address the.

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Need to provide equal vaccine access for all the founders. Ria, hoffman and calista vasios saw.

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That senior citizens struggled to navigate online appointments appointment systems in undocumented.

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And homeless communities didn't really know where to get vaccinated without being turned away.

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The vaccine provides a free service and assists qualified individuals, especially those with work.

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And time constraints, mobility, issues in those without computers and scheduling, vaccination.

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Appointments including booster vaccinations, what started is really two friends concerned about.

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Most as most at-risk neighbors has turned into a growing organization with more than 25 volunteers,.

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So I I'm pleased to recognize with the 2022 community service award and welcome rhea hoffman.

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And calista vascios the founders of vaccinate inland empire yay all right, ah beautiful.

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Thank you for having us, we feel really honored to receive this award.

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It definitely started as two moms that had children at home with distance learning. That's.

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Why you see all of our children around us in the background, but we we wouldn't be where we.

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Are today without our volunteers, at the height we had over 25 volunteers that stepped in to help us.

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And we did serve almost 80 000 people to help them get vaccinated, not just throughout the coachella.

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Valley but it really turned global at one point, so we are blessed to be able to serve so many and we.

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Feel very appreciative that you were able to acknowledge us tonight. So thank you for that.

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Excellent, thank you and congratulations. Thanks for stepping up when you saw.

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That there was a there was a need in the community. That's fantastic! Okay! Our next.

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uh Honoree is going to be I'm just making sure I can find them. Give me a moment.

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We've got very good attendance today, so it's taking me a minute to go through the list of names.

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uh Next honoree, as commissioner ramiran will do the introduction for us, commissioner ramron.

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Our next honoree is the desert healthcare foundation, who was recognized for establishing and.

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Leading the coachella valley, equity, collaborative cvec cvec has successfully linked community and.

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Faith-Based organizations, government agencies and local farm owners together to address the kovit-19.

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Epidemic and ensure a coordinated effort to maximize resources and prevent overlap in services.

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And outreach the cvec has coordinated training established weekly testing sites for area students.

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School staff and community members and conducted testing clinics at events.

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Since the launch of the first covet 19 vaccine event at tudor ranch inc in january 2021, many.

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On-Site registrations and vaccination events have been held as of november 2021, more than 219 coven.

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19 vaccination clinics have administered 36, 785, coven, 19 vaccines to district residents, recognized.

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For rec for increasing awareness, visibility and access to covet 19 related health services by.

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Establishing and leading the coachella valley, equity collaborative, please welcome.

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Karen borja president board of directors to accept the 2022 community service award.

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Excellent yay, thank you all good evening to the palm springs community to the palm springs.

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Human rights commission and to city staff for having us today, um our healthcare, our desert,.

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Healthcare district and foundation- ceo conrado, actually has our plaque to share with you all and.

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On behalf of the desert, healthcare district and foundation board, I want to humbly say thank you.

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For honoring us tonight the palm springs. Human rights commission is a distinguished.

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Body that in its 30-year history, has held true the power of equity for all. Similarly, the desert.

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Healthcare district and foundation strive to commit to complete a mission that allows.

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All district residents across the coachella valley to achieve optimal health at all stages of life.

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To do this work, we thank many times over the desert, highlands gateway, health and wellness.

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Committee, puerto health, dap health desert, oasis desert regional medical center among some of our.

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Local palm springs partners during the pandemic, the desert, healthcare, district and foundation.

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Established the patella valley collaborative this week, we are very proud to celebrate that.

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More than 30 000 coachella valley residents have become vaccinated with the support of your city.

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Palm springs residents and many others across the valley. We have held 234, hey chad, it's ronda heart.

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Are you on the call for the awards ceremony? Oh I'm sorry.

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I got caught up with the restaurant I'll go on. No, no worries, no worries.

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Okay I'll continue, um and we have also held 93 testing events, the staff at the desert, healthcare.

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District and foundation are mighty knowledgeable and stewards of the district's mission.

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Please stay in touch with us on social media visit our website dhcd.org after tonight's event, you'll.

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See a calendar of koba testing sites that are close to you, how our grant funds get distributed.

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And other important mission-driven efforts to complete this work across the coachella valley.

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Once more, I want to say thank you so much to the palm springs human rights commission on.

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Behalf of the board and our staff for honoring us tonight, we humbly appreciate it and thank you.

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Ron you're mute on mute yourself. It sounded really good. When I said congratulations karen and thank.

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You for all the work that you and the board and uh and the foundation has done in the community.

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uh Just not just this last year, but for the years past, keep up the great work.

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Commissioner, andrade will introduce our next honoree commissioner andrade you're on.

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It's a well-known fact that our communities are made stronger, safer and more connected.

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By the efforts of those who give generously of their time to improve the lives of others,.

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Nikki stone is one such individual. Her many years of volunteerism have.

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Contributed to making palm springs the caring and benevolent community that it is.

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The giving of one's time, energy and talent with no expectation of compensation or recognition.

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Has been a guiding value for nikki, her entire adult life, she maintains a belief.

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That volunteers are the heart and soul of every community. She has exemplified that value with over.

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10 years of service with volunteer palm springs, an organization that partners with local non-profits.

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In the pursuit of making a positive difference in our city, nikki has also enjoyed a long-standing.

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Relationship with the ophelia project, mentoring, at-risk teen, girls in our school district.

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Providing life-changing guidance and support for their futures. In addition, she has contributed.

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Countless hours to planned parenthood this year, her emphasis on the real women's film festival.

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Helped raise over 70 thousand dollars and with her strong commitment to furthering the inclusion.

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Acceptance and equitable treatment of all people, nikki's advocacy for human rights, is demonstrated.

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By her past work with both safehouse and well in the desert, please join me in welcoming and.

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Congratulating nikki stone who's honored this evening with a 2022 community service award for.

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Her dedication to the beneficial and sustainable impact of volunteerism in our community.

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Terry and ron and the entire board of the human rights commission. Thank you so much for this.

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Honor and recognition- I really am humbled to be among such auspicious honorees this evening.

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The reason that I'm being recognized this evening is that I am called a stellar.

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Example of what it means to give back to the community and that I believe volunteers are.

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The heart and soul of the community- and I believe this with all my heart.

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As a stellar example of what it means to give back to my community, I go back to the day I arrived in.

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Palm springs: driving a red, 300, z, nissan, a red, hot sports car. I had just turned 50 years old.

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And had been hired by desert regional medical center as the director of volunteer services.

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Right in front of me were 300 volunteers, old, young straight gay, all colors of the rainbow.

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Willing to be of service to our community and boy did they serve by the way they're still serving.

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I created the volunteen summer program for our local teams and the volunteer program for hanson.

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House, a type of ronald mcdonald, home right here in palm springs. So I know how valuable volunteers are.

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I know the benefits of volunteering: how one person can make a difference, how you learn new skills? How.

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You make new friends how you can challenge yourself and how much fun volunteering is.

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I stand on the shoulders of those already setting an example of service to our community uh 20 years.

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Have passed- and it was time for me to retire as the director of volunteer services at the hospital.

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What was I going to do for my second act volunteer? Of course, I love every volunteer experience. It.

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Keeps me sharp, it keeps me young and it even gets me recognition from this very prestigious board.

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Who are all volunteers volunteers? Volunteering does help improve the quality of our community.

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To all of you, thank you and keep on volunteering. Thank you.

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Excellent- and I see you have a found fan club in the background- they're cheering you on. I.

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Certainly do ron. Thank you very much, uh excellent. Okay, our let's see who we've got next here.

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Please bear with me one moment. uh Actually you heard me call on chad.

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Who had not dialed in yet uh chad is just now coming on, so we'll give him a minute.

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And dean, I don't see dean are you with us in it right now.

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uh Mr chair, I just checked with him. He said he'll be on. uh He has an emergency at the.

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Restaurant and he'll be on as soon as he can. Okay great, we will be keeping our eye out for chad.

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I am here excellent chad. What thank you uh two uh incredibly a busy night for you with the new.

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Restaurant opening and such we understand uh are very excited and we're very proud to have our.

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Student representative, serving on the commission and our student representative, lily hanner, will do.

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The introduction all right um hear me good right. Yes, okay, sorry nervous anyways, um so for our.

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Next honoree is chad, gardner chuck garner is rep was recognized for leveraging his businesses in.

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A manner that benefits the community through donations, partnerships and special programming at.

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His restaurants, chad, has positively impacted the community through numerous non-profit charitable.

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Organizations his phil his philanthropic support, continued in the pandemic crisis.

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Making a measurable impact on those nonprofits and the clients they served.

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He is a for a for-profit entrepreneur committed to helping the local businesses and the region.

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And the region's underserved and regions, underserved citizens thrive, chad managed.

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Through the copa, 19 challenges and helped address civic issues and the community's needs.

B

He served on the board of the main street palm springs, business association and the.

B

Mayor's palm springs, kova 19, reopening task force, recognized for his giving spirit and support to.

B

The of the community in good times and through the complex covid19 crisis, chad gardner, is the.

B

Recipient of the of the city of palm springs, human rights, commission, 2022, community service award.

F

Okay, well, I I honestly don't know what to say: I've been so busy with.

F

um uh Opening a restaurant and a hotel coming on board and uh uh managing my existing businesses.

F

um I don't really have any prepared remarks. I want to say thank you. um I have always thought that.

F

Philanthropy was uh something that uh was was. I was meant to do as as uh my husband and I.

F

Have been very blessed, um there wasn't a time in our lives when, when we had.

F

A lot to give, and we have felt that through our hard work that we've been able to give.

F

Back to the community, it's been so good to us. um I am very uh honored to receive this.

F

As I feel like a lot of my philanthropy, we don't do for recognition and that's not the reason.

F

We get involved and do the things that we do, um I'm more of a behind the scenes. Kind of guy.

F

And so this is, uh this is very humbling and I just want to say thank you for the recognition.

F

It was completely unexpected and I'm humbled by your your uh your recognition. Thank you.

D

Congratulations. Chad. Thank you.

D

Okay, uh we will have uh our next, commissioner. uh Do the introduction and.

D

For the last award so kalina our commissioner robles you're on the hot seat right now,.

B

Thanks chair to heart uh good evening, everyone, it is my honor to be with you here tonight to.

B

Present this community service award to our next honoree dan levine, a dean levine.

B

Dean is recognized for his support of charitable and fundraising events that have helped improve.

B

The quality of life for those living in palm springs when the coronavirus pandemic hit and.

B

Restaurants and bars were ordered to close, it was an unprecedented situation for many business.

B

Owners dean didn't slow down as a socially minded business owner dean stepped up and served on the.

B

Mayor's business transition and reentry task force formed early in the covet crisis. He contributed.

B

His leadership to help others in the community and served on the city's parklet design standards, work.

B

Group to suggest design guidelines and operational standards for parklets dean helped employees.

B

Through the crisis, continued supporting community organizations and offered his time to help shape.

B

Policy to assist the business community in returning to operations amid a covet environment.

B

Dean is an example of what makes palm springs a charitable and hospitable community.

B

Dean is recognized with the community service award as a business owner.

B

Who continues to have a positive effect on our community? Please welcome dean, levine.

D

uh Yay and in in dean's absent absence, we will accept the award and present it to him.

D

On a night when he's not having an emergency at the restaurant, so thank you for, for that.

D

And now I will move into the conclusion of our program.

D

Human rights advocacy is not for the faint of heart, but I urge you all to speak up.

D

In an age of reimagined truth, it's more important than ever that we counter the distortion of facts.

D

And abuse of rights, the spin in the media and in the politics by presenting the evidence.

D

And standing up for the rule of law, human rights are not the domain of the left.

D

Or for the right, they are there to protect the most vulnerable in our communities to equalize the.

D

Imbalances between the powerful and the powerless and to advance fairness and equality for all of.

D

Us in these days, we need to reach back to those we've left behind to ensure that they have a voice.

D

And are integrated into all that society can offer every person no matter their background.

D

Has dignity and value everyone has human rights, and those rights must be protected.

D

Let's understand the rule of law and the maintenance of human rights.

D

That are connected and that 57 percent of the world's population live outside the protection.

D

Of the rule of law, that's four billion people struggling for basic human rights on a daily basis.

D

We can do better fundamental human rights not only evolve through common law, they reflect community.

D

Standards: freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and equality above all before the law. Finally, as.

D

We work to ensure fundamental rights are realized for everyone. Let us in palm springs, respect.

D

And rely on the common sense and good will of those who live here, because change happens when.

D

We work together, on behalf of the commission, our gratitude and thanks to all the honorees who are.

D

Contributing to advancing human rights in their own way- and we thank all of you for coming along.

D

And supporting this year's honorees, we conclude by saying what a privilege it's been for me and.

D

All the commissioners to serve the city and the community and again special thanks to our city.

D

Liaisons jay, varada and annie rodriguez, who keep us going strong. Thank you all for participating.

D

And congratulations to the honorees have a wonderful evening. Mr chair dean, as dean is with us.

D

Dean, you were presented an award in your absence and I accepted on your behalf, but.

D

You you, if you uh have a a an acknowledgement that you would like to give. We would welcome that.

B

I just I appreciate it and thank you and um it just it humbles me. That's.

B

This is a uh I don't know. I feel that uh so many other people can be uh helped and hopefully.

B

uh We can be part of it and continue the good work. Thank you. Excellent thanks dean appreciate it.

D

And that concludes our program for tonight. So we move into item eight on the agenda and that.

D

Is adjournment so the commission will adjourn to an adjourned regular meeting monday march 14.

D

2022 via zoom, I believe again, thank you. All have a good night.

D