As you probably know, two of the Lancaster County Commissioners have proposed eliminating the County Human Relations Commission in order to save the cost of operating it. At first glance, it might seem a good choice in hard economic times, as people who feel they are being wrongfully discriminated against can take their complaint to the state Human Relations Commission.

However, there are benefits to keeping a local HRC:
· The state HRC is habitually overloaded, whereas the local HRC processes cases in a much timelier manner, which is better for both parties in regard to time, money, and the ability to move forward.
· It would be a burden for some complainants to have to travel to Harrisburg. For both parties, every attendance at hearings would be a day lost, rather than a few hours.
· The Lancaster HRC can identify patterns of local complaints, and offer training to those entities that have multiple incidents. This can result in fewer complaints and a less discriminatory environment.
· The local HRC is able to achieve a mediated settlement in about 21% of cases.
· By processing 2400 inquiries on a yearly basis, the local HRC is able to consult with potential complainants or respondents who otherwise would further burden the state system, which has itself declared that it could not handle the increase.

For these reasons and others, the YWCA of Lancaster supports the retention of the Human Relation Commission in Lancaster County. The mission of the Commission is to advance equal human rights and eliminate discrimination. The HRC mission is completely consistent with the mission of the YWCA to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.

While there may be cost savings possible within the operation of the Lancaster County HRC, we stand with those who feel that dismantling the commission entirely would be a step back when it comes to equality for women, people of color, individuals with disabilities, and those whose religious creeds are in a minority.

Two rallies in support of the retention of the Human Relation Commission in Lancaster are planned for this Saturday at 11:00 am and before the County Commissioners hearing on the issue the evening of July 29th. The rallies are sponsored by the Committee to Defend Civil Rights in Lancaster. The attached flier gives the dates and times of the rallies and some background on the Lancaster County HRC. You are invited to rally in support of the County Human Relations Commission. Join us! Attend the rally! Have your presence count!

If you have a YWCA tee shirt (e.g., Race Against Racism), please wear it. If you don’t have a YW shirt, please wear something persimmon (orange). Look for the YWCA banner at the rally and come over to get a YWCA Advocacy sticker. See you at the rally!!


Thank you,

Wynne Kinder
YWCA Board Member and Chair of Public Policy Committee