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Hello everyone. I am Tiffany Delgado

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Bickley. I am a member of the Abington

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Human Relations Commission and I'm here

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to present Abington Township Human

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Relations Commission year in review for

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2025.

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Our mission. So in order to protect the

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rights of all community members, the

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Abington Township Human Relations

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Commission will promote the provisions

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of Abington Ordinance 2029 which

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prohibits discrimination in housing,

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employment, and public accommodations.

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Abington Township and the ATRC recognize

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the inherent dignity and worth of all

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people. Therefore, the ATRC strives to

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ensure through education, mediation, and

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community outreach that all members of

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the community enjoy equality and equal

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protection under the law. Who we are,

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Michelle Cooper is chair, and members

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are Kristen Chapen, Rosemary Jenkins,

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Joanne Kleiner, Shelley Rosenberg, and

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Justin Williams.

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some of our highlights. So, in

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partnership with the Adden Township

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Public Library, the commission invited

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community members to participate as

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human books in an upcoming human library

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event. Volunteers were encouraged to

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share lived experiences across topics

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such as race, identity, disability, age,

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and religion to foster dialogue and

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challenge stereotypes. The initiative

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aimed to create a safe, structured space

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for meaningful one-on-one conversations

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that build understanding and empathy

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within the community.

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On March 13th, the commission hosted a

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virtual panel discussion exploring the

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real life impact of proposed Medicaid

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cuts on individuals and families,

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featuring insights from state and

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advocacy leaders, including Senator Art

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Haywood, Chad Lacer of the Pennsylvania

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Human Relations Commission, and

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representatives from FAN and speaking

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for ourselves. The conversation examined

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what is at stake, who is most affected,

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and how communities can respond. The

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event provided an opportunity for

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residents to better understand the human

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consequences of policy decisions and to

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engage in an informed solutionsoriented

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dialogue.

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On March 21st, in partnership with the

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Township Board of Commissioners,

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Abington Police Department, and Willow

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Grove NAACP, the commission issued a

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joint statement condemning a widely

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circulated incident of racist

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harassment. The statement reaffirmed the

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community's commitment to respect,

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inclusion, and dignity while

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acknowledging the harm caused to the

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individual and broader community. It

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also encouraged residents to report

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incidents of discrimination and

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reinforced a shared commitment to

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equity, safety, and accountability.

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On April 2nd, we proudly welcomed new

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member Mon'nique Allen as a commission

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member.

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And on May 30th, the commission joined

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community members and leaders for the

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pride flag raising at the township

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building, affirming its commitment to

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inclusion and support for the LGBTQ plus

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residents. Remarks from a local high

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school student underscored the

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importance of visibility, allyship, and

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the right for all individuals to live

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authentically and safely.

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On June 3rd, HRC members represented the

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commission at the Abington Township Free

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Libraries Pridefest event. This annual

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event is always such a fun time. Music,

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organization, crafts, and community.

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And on August 5th, this was Abington's

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pre-night out. We enjoyed a beautiful

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evening with the community and all of

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our partners in service. We always

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appreciate the opportunity to interact

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with fellow residents, build awareness,

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and share what we do.

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On September 11th, we partnered with the

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Upper Dublin Human Relations Commission

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to host Michael Lieberman, senior policy

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council from the SPLC to a lecture on

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preventing hate crimes and protecting

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free speech. We hope to partner with the

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UDHRC again in 2026.

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And on October 4th, we joined a rally as

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a sponsor to support the transgender

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community at Cresmont Park.

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The week of October 18th, the commission

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conducted an implicit bias training for

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the Abington Township Police Department

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focused on increasing awareness of

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unconscious bias and its impact on

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decision-making. The session explored

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the psychological roots of bias, its

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effects on marginalized communities, and

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practical strategies officers can use to

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reduce bias in high pressure situations.

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The training emphasized reflection,

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accountability, and building trust

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through more equitable and inclusive

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policing practices.

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On November 17th, we proudly welcomed

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myself, Tiffany Delgado Vickley, as a

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commission member. And on November 18th,

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in partnership with local libraries and

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community leadership, the commission

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co-hosted a free screening of the

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documentary The Librarians. The event

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brought residents together for an

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evening of connection, shared learning

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featuring a red carpet, welcome, and

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community gathering prior to the film.

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And thank you. We are so grateful for

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the time and commitment of our former

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commission members. Their contributions

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have made a difference for our township

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and its residents. So again, a big thank

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you to Shelley Rosenberg, Joanne

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Kleiner, and Rosemary Jenkins.

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And connect with us. We have an email

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hrcabingtonpa.gov.

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We have our website and we also are on

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social media, Facebook and Instagram. So

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like, share, definitely follow along and

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participate in our events um and get to

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learn more and get to share with us.

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And feel free to reach out with any

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questions. Thank you.