Dear Residents, Neighbors, and Friends:
Many of you may recognize me, Kenneth Saunders, from my tenure as OHR Director under Mayor Anthony Williams. Now, with great enthusiasm, I'm back as your Interim Director! My dedication to equal opportunity for all remains unwavering, and I'm eager to serve our community once again.
April brings a potent mix of reflection and action. First, we honor Fair Housing Month, commemorating the Fair Housing Act of 1968 – passed soon after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination and built upon the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to protect against housing discrimination based on various factors, such as race, color, religion, sex, disability, and familial status. We've compiled housing rights resources to empower residents on our Fair Housing Resource Portal and we invite you to a virtual panel discussion with housing partners to delve deeper into your rights.
This month also sheds light on Language Access Awareness Month. We celebrate two decades of the DC Language Access Act, a landmark legislation that ensures language is never a barrier to civic life or vital information. Join us for a celebratory event where you can connect with language access leaders who've championed this cause in our city.
Finally, April is Second Chance Month, bringing awareness to the hurdles returning citizens face towards their successful journey towards reintegration. Our city stands with returning citizens through initiatives led by the Mayor's Office on Returning Citizen Affairs, the DC Reentry Action Network (RAN), and the Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants. Subscribe to our social media to see how OHR supports residents, communities, and agencies to recognize the importance of reentry and their role in supporting safe and successful reintegration.
As we honor these important observances, let's acknowledge the progress made while recognizing the work ahead. With our collective effort, we will continue advocating for equity and justice, addressing profound disparities, and ensuring everyone understands and exercises their rights.
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