Join us in advancing a new era of civic leadership

We seek funding to propel us into the future as an effective advocacy & action partner.

  • We create accessible local opportunities for new leadership, dialogue across groups, & social justice advocacy.
  • We hold local civic leaders and public institutions accountable.
  • We empower community members on the ground to take action on the issues that matter to them.

Why the work is needed now:

  • At a moment of misinformation and chronic loneliness, we are expanding the aperture of what civic engagement means.
  • To build the infrastructure to do this effectively, we are leveling up our capacity.
  • The effects of this organizational change will be felt in the community and region as the HRC continues to develop as an anchor organization for combating these issues .

How you can help:

We seek funding partners to help us finance our work. We also seek organizations and businesses interested in sponsorship opportunities. If this opportunity seems like a good fit, please reach out at info@hrcsantamonica.org

Statement Affirming HRC’s Opposition to Hate in Our Schools & Communities

On Nov. 9, 2024, Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Antonio Shelton addressed the incident involving racist text messages sent to African-American and Black students of SMMUSD, as well as to students across the nation. Dr. Shelton emphasized a zero tolerance policy for racism and hate speech at SMMUSD. He stated that disciplinary actions will be taken against any Santa Monica student involved in these acts of racism and hate speech.

The HRC stands committed to advocating for diversity, equity, respect, and justice. We recognize the importance of communities coming together to protect the safety of systemically marginalized groups. In light of the recent nationwide incidents that have led to an increase in hate speech, hate crimes, and racism, we publicly denounce all acts of racism and hate in every form.

To our community members affected by this incident, we stand in solidarity with you.

Signed –

Julie Rusk and Dr. Karen S. Gunn on behalf of the Santa Monica Bay Area Human Relations Council

Countering Truth Decay 2024

In an election year on September 11th 2024, the HRC held their second Countering Truth Decay event. This community conversation saw community leaders and professors address the issues of encountering misinformation and disinformation in our daily lives; it invited the audience to reflect on ways they can combat misinformation and disinformation locally.

Ray Block Jr. (RAND Corporation) addressed the audience virtually with a breakdown of what misinformation and disinformation is and how it affects the micro, meso, and macro levels. 

John Rogers (UCLA Professor) addressed the importance of creating truth by first creating safety for underserved communities in school settings. 

The event also featured six creative and thought provoking break out sessions presenting recipients of the Wellbeing Microgrant program:

  • Embodied Ancestral Listening – Camellia Lee & Ezekiel Goodwin
  • Homeless Myths And Stigma – Rebecca Cannara & Rue Mansour
  • Regenerative Civic Engagement – Indy Rishi Singh
  • Apoyándonos como padres ante la desinformación – Laura Hernandez
  • Voting: Fact or Fiction – Rene Buchanan
  • Voter Engagement: Empowering Youth and Unhoused Voices -Anya Baroff

Check out the welcome video: https://youtu.be/595YcGtsxH8

Below are a few resources:

HRC Co-Hosts Un|Housed Exhibit Panel Conversation

The Santa Monica Bay Area Human Relations Council (HRC) is delighted to announce:

Un|Housed Panel Discussion

Date: August 8th 5-7pm

Location: Santa Monica History Museum

RSVP Here

Creativity can play a critical role in finding solutions to the great challenges of our time. In partnership with the Santa Monica History Museum, HRC will host a panel discussion as part of the Museum’s exhibition, Un|Housed: A History of Housing in Santa Monica. The panelists, including artists, advocates, and activists, will speak to their personal experiences being unhoused and subsequently working within the housing system. Skilled facilitator Dr. Karen Gunn will moderate the conversation.

Moderator:

Dr. Karen Gunn: Dr. Gunn is widely recognized as a trainer, facilitator, motivational public speaker and community activist. In addition to her extensive consultation experience, she has worked in higher education at the graduate and undergraduate levels. She was a tenured professor in the Psychology Department at Santa Monica College and served as Department Chairperson. Karen has played an instrumental leadership role in curriculum transformation, student equity initiatives, anti-bias training and facilitator of numerous professional development programs.

Panelists:

René Buchanan: René Buchanan found refuge at The People Concern (then OPCC) after being discharged from a Los Angeles hospital in 2001. After graduating from their Daybreak program for homeless women with mental illness, René later became Daybreak’s administrative coordinator. In that role she built enduring connections between the women and the wider community. René served on the Santa Monica City Housing Commission for 10 years, broadening its focus to center the most vulnerable. She volunteers with dog rescues, is active in her faith community, and promotes civic engagement and voting in her work on the Santa Monica League of Women Voters Board.

Kevin Glover: Kevin Glover is a longtime Santa Monica resident who is passionate about meeting the needs of those in the local community. He currently serves as Executive Director of Hand to Hand Hunger Project – a local nonprofit that provides hot meals, necessary hygiene items, referrals, and hosts a monthly resource fair for those in need. Additionally, Kevin volunteers with The Salvation Army in Santa Monica. Previously, Kevin was Director of Client Services at Chrysalis in Santa Monica and Director of Outreach & Missions for Metropolis Santa Monica.

Kim Reeder: Kim Reeder serves on the community advisory board for the Urban Institute’s Housing Justice project. She is an advocate with Housing Now! CA, serves on the Housing Advocates Council for Abundant Housing LA, and is a Housing Justice Advocate with ACCE (Association of Californians for Community Empowerment). She holds a BA in Communication with emphasis in Public Relations and Journalism and has a background in marketing, primarily in the entertainment industry (publicity, promotions and special events.)

Suzette Shaw: Suzette Shaw is a Skid Row resident who writes, talks, and advocates Skid Row from AnWoman’s Perspective. Suzette says her pain fueled her testimony and her testimony has now fueled her advocacy. Expressing herself through poetry, Suzette paints a broad stroke, painting hues of pain and purpose in her healing journey where she advocates for a shift in the paradigm towards the dismantling of systemic policies and practices which have perpetuated the trauma of the oppressed, which too often look like her. Suzette believes, “We can no longer talk about equality and empowerment while enforcing inequities.”

Light refreshments will be provided.

For more information, please contact us via email info@civicwellbeing.org.

Celebrating the end of Cohort 8

In June, the HRC and Civic Wellbeing Partners Celebrated the end of the Winter/Spring Season of Wellbeing Microgrants, inviting the Mayor of Santa Monica and other partners.

Many of these projects tapped into creating a stronger sense of unity through the arts and other activities to improve a range of: financial, environmental, physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. This season saw an increase of interaction across intergenerational participants where younger generations could teach older generations how to do something new. Older generations were invited to reconnect with community post-pandemic and found new purpose and inspiration to plan for their future. At least 60% of the projects addressed equity through language access and ALL projects brought forth access to materials and resources needed to continue activities beyond the project’s timeline.

Are you interested in making an impact in your community? Stay tuned for applications to re-open on July 24th!

Apply here

Apply for a 2023 Wellbeing Microgrant

Wellbeing Microgrants 2023 Applications are OPEN! Wellbeing Microgrants are a new approach to engage and support individuals across Santa Monica and throughout West LA, who are looking to make a positive change in their community. Designed to empower local action, Civic Wellbeing Partners provides up to $500 for ideas that are focused on small scale projects to improve community wellbeing. Get started with your application here.

Applications close March 3rd, 2023. Apply or share this incredible opportunity with your community today!


¡Las solicitudes de Wellbeing Microgrants 2023 están ABIERTAS! Wellbeing Microgrants se enfoca en involucrar y apoyar a miembros de la comunidad de Santa Mónica y en todo el oeste de Los Ángeles que buscan hacer un cambio positivo. Diseñado para empoderar a los residentes, Civic Wellbeing Partners otorga hasta $500 para ideas que se centran en acciones a pequeña escala para mejorar el bienestar de la comunidad. Comience con su aplicación aquí.

Las solicitudes cierran el 3 de marzo de 2023. ¡Aplica o comparte esta increíble oportunidad con su comunidad hoy!

Apply for a Wellbeing Microgrant- Fall 2022

Civic Wellbeing Partners is now accepting applications for their new cohort of Wellbeing Microgrant leaders! The Wellbeing Microgrant Program provides up to $500 for ideas that are focused on small scale projects to improve community wellbeing. Check out the new website and apply for a microgrant at: www.wellbeingmicrogrants.org

Applications are due Wednesday, August 31st, 2022.

Feel free to contact cityofwellbeing@gmail.com with any inquiries. Note: Former leaders who participated before 2022 are welcome to apply!

Building Community in Santa Monica

Free event on Wednesday, June 22 @ 5:30pm- Sunset, Ocean View Park, Santa Monica

Join the global movement on Wednesday, June 22nd at Ocean View Park from 5:30pm-Sundown.
At the Big Talk event, people will be asked to skip small talk when answering questions to fight loneliness, foster community belonging, and build curiosity and empathy in wake of the pandemic. This event is FREE!

Register on Eventbrite: Big Talk Santa Monica Summer Solstice
Address: 2701 Barnard Way, Santa Monica, CA 90405

Kicking off a new round of Wellbeing Microgrants!

To all who applied or spread the word about Microgrants this round: Thank you!

We are very excited for what this new group has to bring and will be sharing more about each of their individual projects in the coming weeks.

The Human Relations Council is the fiscal receiver of the Wellbeing Microgrants Program. The Microgrants were brought to the HRC by Civic Wellbeing Partners, and are made possible through funding by Cedars-Sinai.

To get connected with any of these great projects through June 2022, please email cityofwellbeing@gmail.com

Apply for a 2022 Wellbeing Microgrant!

Wellbeing Microgrants 2022 Applications are OPEN! Wellbeing Microgrants are a new approach to engage and support individuals looking to make a positive change in their community. Designed to empower local action, Civic Wellbeing Partners provides up to $500 for ideas that are focused on small scale projects to improve community wellbeing. Get started with your application here.

Applications close February 25, 2022. Apply or share this incredible opportunity with your community today!