Residents urge Tompkins County to sustain newly reopened Office of Human Rights

During the public comment period on April 15 three volunteers and commissioners working at Tompkins County’s Office of Human Rights described a surge in community demand since the office reopened and asked the legislature to sustain funding and staffing.

Peaches Gillette described volunteering at the office “at least once or twice a week” and said in-person hours and a staffed office have made it easier for people facing discrimination to seek help. Gillette said the office helps people with housing and employment discrimination complaints and that volunteer commissioners and interns are supporting intake and outreach.

Pei Sayinka identified recent casework including school-based racial incidents, a housing caller who left repeated messages, and immigrant community outreach. Sayinka said commissioners are meeting at least twice a week and working with staff and student interns to respond to a high volume of inquiries.

Another volunteer who identified difficulty reading their name on the sign-in sheet described helping people with workplace discrimination and with referral to legal services and supports. Multiple speakers asked the legislature to ensure the office continues to operate and to provide additional support.

Why it matters: The Office of Human Rights serves as a local intake, referral and advocacy center for allegations of discrimination. Volunteers told the legislature that demand for rights-based assistance — distinct from basic needs services — has grown and that the office is fielding calls, walk-ins and emails daily.

What the speakers said about services and staffing - In-person intake: Speakers emphasized the value of face-to-face contact and said the restructured office has regular open hours (twice weekly at minimum) and volunteer commissioners working with a staff lead and interns. - Range of cases: School discrimination, workplace discrimination, housing and immigrant-related concerns — sometimes urgent situations involving people in crisis.

Ending Legislators thanked the speakers and several members — including Travis Brooks and others — said they looked forward to a presentation from county administration and staff about the office’s structure and the administration’s plan to maintain services in the coming months.