The City of Santa Monica presents several of Black History Month events under the theme The Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity. Learn more at https://www.santamonica.gov/blog/blackhistorymonth2021
9/21/19 League of Women Voters’ Fall Kickoff Gathering
September 20, 2019 by
Be sure to see HRC’s own Dr. Karen Gunn at tomorrow’s League of Women Voters Fall Kickoff Gathering!
The 2019 Mark J. Benjamin Community Impact Award Recipients
September 7, 2019 by
Congratulations to Terri Decker and Barbara Inatsugu
Terri Decker, born and raised in Santa Monica, recently retired after 45 years of retail banking. Terri began volunteering as a teen. She has been active in many local charitable and civic organizations and has served on many nonprofit boards over the years. Currently, Terri is Board President of No Limits for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children, the organization which nominated Ms. Decker for the award.
Congratulations Terri!
Thank you for your service to our community!
Barbara Inatsugu has been involved in the Santa Monica community since moving here from Hawaii in 1982. She has been active in PTA, locally and at the state level, for all of the years her children attended Santa Monica schools. In 1992, she joined the League of Women Voters of Santa Monica where she has been very active locally and also on the state level. The League of Women Voters nominated Ms. Inatsugu for the award. Congratulations Barbara!
Thank you for your service to our community!
To learn more about the Mark J. Benjamin Community Awards visit http://hrcsantamonica.org/impact-2/
Not For the Faint of Heart
July 15, 2019 by
Identifying Old Patterns & Creating New Tapestries of Community Life
A Sunday Gathering by the Baha’i Center featuring Dr. Ruha Benjamin to speak about everyday racism, spirituality, and social change.
All are welcome. Sunday, July 21st, Santa Monica Baha’i Center, 3102 Colorado Avenue, 90404
2019 Mark J. Benjamin Impact Awards Program
May 16, 2019 by
Now Accepting Nominations for 2019 Mark J. Benjamin Impact Awards
The Human Relations Council Santa Monica Bay Area is a non-profit organization that promotes a culture of fair treatment, inclusion and equal access to opportunities.
The HRC Santa Monica Bay Area is pleased to announce the call for nominations for the
2019 Mark J. Benjamin Community Impact Awards Program
The goal of the HRC’s Mark J. Benjamin Community Impact Awards Program is to recognize individuals who, through their behavior and commitment, are role models for a respectful and socially just community and whose involvement with community organizations as a volunteer contributes to and impacts building an inclusive community. Our honorees are people who:
(1) Promote understanding within our diverse community,
(2) Take actions that make a difference, and
(3) Demonstrate compassion for others.
Our program is named for Mark Benjamin – a true hero who gave generously and thoughtfully in support of our community. He exemplified who Studs Terkel described when he wrote, “Heroes are not giant statues framed against a red sky. They are people who say: This is my community, and it is my responsibility to make it better.”
We invite you to participate in the MJB Community Impact Awards Program by nominating someone who represents both your organization’s mission and the HRC’s goals. Please complete the Nomination Form and submit to hrcimpact@gmail.com.
The Nominations Period is from May 1, 2019 through June 14, 2019. All nominations must be submitted by 5:00 pm on June 14, 2019 via email to: hrcimpact@gmail.com.
Robert F. Kennedy observed, “Each time a person stands up for an ideal or acts to improve the lot of others…he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current.”
The HRC believes it is the sum of the modest, ongoing activities of many that lead to enduring change. Too often, these efforts go unrecognized. The HRC is asking you to help us identify members of our community who are making a significant impact and allow us to bring their work to center stage.
If you have questions, please check out our website: hrcsantamonica.org/impact or contact by email: hrcimpact@gmail.com
Mark J. Benjamin Community Impact Awards
Honoring “Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things”
Awardees will be honored at a special event on the evening of September 11, 2019.
Dinner & Dialogue – May 8th
April 14, 2019 by
Interested in joining the discussion? RSVP to info@hrcsantamonica.org with your name and zip code by Wednesday, May 1st.
Equality of Women = Prosperity for All
April 6, 2019 by
Special Discourse of the Society presented by the Santa Monica Baha’i Community, Human Relations Council – Santa Monica Bay Area, and the Southern California Committee for a Parliament of the World’s Religion
2018 Mark J. Benjamin Community Impact Award Winners
April 12, 2018 by
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Donna Gentry
gentryevents@gmail.com
310.990.4284
Announcing the 2018 Mark J. Benjamin Community Impact Award Winners
To be Honored by the Human Relations Council Santa Monica Bay
SANTA MONICA, CA, April 9, 2018 – The Human Relations Council of the Santa Monica Bay Area (HRC Santa Monica) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2018 Mark J. Benjamin Community Impact Awards. The winners will be feted on Thursday, April 26, 2018, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Santa Monica Baha’i Center.
Named after long-time HRC Santa Monica board member and former Morley Builders CEO Mark J. Benjamin, the awards recognize those individuals who volunteer their time to promote understanding among diverse people, take actions that make a difference and demonstrate compassion for others.
The 2018 Mark J. Benjamin Community Impact Award winners are Victoria Roshanzamir, Larry Arnstein, and Celine Bundy-Kahn. Here’s a brief note on each honoree:
Victoria Roshanzamir has volunteered with the Santa Monica Baha’i Center for the past 15 years. The Center’s management and maintenance is a product of love and attention Mrs. Roshanzami dedicates to the Center. Mrs. Roshanzamir spends an average of 50 hours a month ensuring the Center is open and accessible to members of the community, whether for a special event of for the Baha’i Center’s Holy day events. Mrs. Roshanzamir also provides great care to the Santa Monica Baha’i Community in times of personal loss and need.
Larry Arnstein has served as a weekly volunteer at The People Concern (formerly OPCC) for over 26 years. Mr. Arnstein serves as an Access Center volunteer, welcoming each homeless guest as they arrive at the Center. Each individual Mr. Arnstein interacts with, no matter their circumstance or background, is treated with dignity and understanding. He is a model example of empathetic and lasting service to a diverse community.
Celine Bundy-Kahn serves as a volunteer at Chrysalis, an organization to assist low-income and homeless individuals to create a pathway to self-sufficiency. Ms. Bundy-Kahn assists with the bi-weekly Job Preparation 1 class, assisting clients to prepare for, find, and retain employment by highlighting their skills in resumes and through networking. Time and time again, she steps up to ensure clients receive the services and volunteer support required. Ms. Bundy-Kahn also provides financial and strategic support of Chrysalis through her work on the Development and Event Committees.
The Human Relations Council Santa Monica Bay Area is a non-profit organization that promotes a culture of fair treatment, inclusion and equal access to opportunities. It is led by an all-volunteer board of directors who represent residents, business, non-profit organizations, faith congregations and local government.
The awards presentation will take place on Thursday, April 26, 2018, at the Santa Monica Baha’i Center, 3102 Colorado Boulevard, Santa Monica. Street parking is available along with parking at the Westside Christian Fellowship Church.
There will be a buffet dinner at 6:00 pm and the awards presentation begins at 7:00 pm. The event is open to the public but RSVPs are required. Please RSVP to:
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