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[0:00]
Hello everyone. I am Tiffany Delgado
[0:02]
Bickley. I am a member of the Abington
[0:04]
Human Relations Commission and I'm here
[0:06]
to present Abington Township Human
[0:08]
Relations Commission year in review for
[0:10]
2025.
[0:12]
Our mission. So in order to protect the
[0:14]
rights of all community members, the
[0:16]
Abington Township Human Relations
[0:18]
Commission will promote the provisions
[0:20]
of Abington Ordinance 2029 which
[0:22]
prohibits discrimination in housing,
[0:25]
employment, and public accommodations.
[0:27]
Abington Township and the ATRC recognize
[0:30]
the inherent dignity and worth of all
[0:32]
people. Therefore, the ATRC strives to
[0:35]
ensure through education, mediation, and
[0:38]
community outreach that all members of
[0:40]
the community enjoy equality and equal
[0:42]
protection under the law. Who we are,
[0:46]
Michelle Cooper is chair, and members
[0:48]
are Kristen Chapen, Rosemary Jenkins,
[0:51]
Joanne Kleiner, Shelley Rosenberg, and
[0:54]
Justin Williams.
[0:57]
some of our highlights. So, in
[0:58]
partnership with the Adden Township
[1:00]
Public Library, the commission invited
[1:03]
community members to participate as
[1:04]
human books in an upcoming human library
[1:07]
event. Volunteers were encouraged to
[1:09]
share lived experiences across topics
[1:11]
such as race, identity, disability, age,
[1:15]
and religion to foster dialogue and
[1:17]
challenge stereotypes. The initiative
[1:19]
aimed to create a safe, structured space
[1:22]
for meaningful one-on-one conversations
[1:24]
that build understanding and empathy
[1:26]
within the community.
[1:30]
On March 13th, the commission hosted a
[1:32]
virtual panel discussion exploring the
[1:35]
real life impact of proposed Medicaid
[1:37]
cuts on individuals and families,
[1:40]
featuring insights from state and
[1:41]
advocacy leaders, including Senator Art
[1:43]
Haywood, Chad Lacer of the Pennsylvania
[1:46]
Human Relations Commission, and
[1:48]
representatives from FAN and speaking
[1:50]
for ourselves. The conversation examined
[1:52]
what is at stake, who is most affected,
[1:55]
and how communities can respond. The
[1:58]
event provided an opportunity for
[1:59]
residents to better understand the human
[2:01]
consequences of policy decisions and to
[2:04]
engage in an informed solutionsoriented
[2:06]
dialogue.
[2:09]
On March 21st, in partnership with the
[2:11]
Township Board of Commissioners,
[2:12]
Abington Police Department, and Willow
[2:14]
Grove NAACP, the commission issued a
[2:17]
joint statement condemning a widely
[2:19]
circulated incident of racist
[2:21]
harassment. The statement reaffirmed the
[2:24]
community's commitment to respect,
[2:26]
inclusion, and dignity while
[2:28]
acknowledging the harm caused to the
[2:30]
individual and broader community. It
[2:33]
also encouraged residents to report
[2:34]
incidents of discrimination and
[2:36]
reinforced a shared commitment to
[2:38]
equity, safety, and accountability.
[2:42]
On April 2nd, we proudly welcomed new
[2:45]
member Mon'nique Allen as a commission
[2:48]
member.
[2:50]
And on May 30th, the commission joined
[2:52]
community members and leaders for the
[2:54]
pride flag raising at the township
[2:56]
building, affirming its commitment to
[2:58]
inclusion and support for the LGBTQ plus
[3:01]
residents. Remarks from a local high
[3:03]
school student underscored the
[3:05]
importance of visibility, allyship, and
[3:08]
the right for all individuals to live
[3:10]
authentically and safely.
[3:13]
On June 3rd, HRC members represented the
[3:16]
commission at the Abington Township Free
[3:18]
Libraries Pridefest event. This annual
[3:21]
event is always such a fun time. Music,
[3:24]
organization, crafts, and community.
[3:28]
And on August 5th, this was Abington's
[3:30]
pre-night out. We enjoyed a beautiful
[3:32]
evening with the community and all of
[3:34]
our partners in service. We always
[3:36]
appreciate the opportunity to interact
[3:38]
with fellow residents, build awareness,
[3:40]
and share what we do.
[3:43]
On September 11th, we partnered with the
[3:45]
Upper Dublin Human Relations Commission
[3:47]
to host Michael Lieberman, senior policy
[3:50]
council from the SPLC to a lecture on
[3:53]
preventing hate crimes and protecting
[3:55]
free speech. We hope to partner with the
[3:58]
UDHRC again in 2026.
[4:02]
And on October 4th, we joined a rally as
[4:05]
a sponsor to support the transgender
[4:07]
community at Cresmont Park.
[4:10]
The week of October 18th, the commission
[4:12]
conducted an implicit bias training for
[4:14]
the Abington Township Police Department
[4:17]
focused on increasing awareness of
[4:18]
unconscious bias and its impact on
[4:20]
decision-making. The session explored
[4:23]
the psychological roots of bias, its
[4:25]
effects on marginalized communities, and
[4:27]
practical strategies officers can use to
[4:29]
reduce bias in high pressure situations.
[4:32]
The training emphasized reflection,
[4:34]
accountability, and building trust
[4:36]
through more equitable and inclusive
[4:38]
policing practices.
[4:40]
On November 17th, we proudly welcomed
[4:43]
myself, Tiffany Delgado Vickley, as a
[4:45]
commission member. And on November 18th,
[4:48]
in partnership with local libraries and
[4:50]
community leadership, the commission
[4:51]
co-hosted a free screening of the
[4:53]
documentary The Librarians. The event
[4:55]
brought residents together for an
[4:57]
evening of connection, shared learning
[4:59]
featuring a red carpet, welcome, and
[5:02]
community gathering prior to the film.
[5:05]
And thank you. We are so grateful for
[5:07]
the time and commitment of our former
[5:09]
commission members. Their contributions
[5:11]
have made a difference for our township
[5:12]
and its residents. So again, a big thank
[5:15]
you to Shelley Rosenberg, Joanne
[5:17]
Kleiner, and Rosemary Jenkins.
[5:21]
And connect with us. We have an email
[5:23]
hrcabingtonpa.gov.
[5:25]
We have our website and we also are on
[5:28]
social media, Facebook and Instagram. So
[5:31]
like, share, definitely follow along and
[5:34]
participate in our events um and get to
[5:36]
learn more and get to share with us.
[5:38]
And feel free to reach out with any
[5:40]
questions. Thank you.