Needham HRC advances community programs: cross-town dialogue, human library, memorial art grant
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Summary
The committee heard updates on a proposed cross-community dialogue series with neighboring human-rights groups, a human-library partnership with the public library, and a grant application for a memorial sculpture honoring enslaved and Indigenous people. Members also discussed needs-assessment models and school-equity coordination.
Committee members received several program updates and encouraged ongoing community engagement efforts.
Cross-community dialogue: Representatives reported a planning meeting with neighboring human-rights groups (Newton, Lexington, Watertown) and with two consultants from an organization described as "essential partners." The consultants recommended multiple sessions (two or more) with small-group breakout discussions; members said timing and format remain under development and recommended online delivery with facilitated breakout groups and optional in-person community breakout meetings.
Human library and memorial art grant: The Needham public library assistant director — previously involved in a Cambridge human-library program — intends to participate in training and to partner with the committee to host a "human library" program; the library representative will attend a kickoff training in early November. Separately, the committee reported that a grant application to the Meeting Council for Arts and Culture was submitted before the deadline for a sculpture proposed to be placed at the First Parish Church titled 'Tears of the Ocean,' designed by an Indigenous artist to commemorate enslaved and Indigenous peoples. The committee described the submission as an initial step and said future grant applications are planned.
Needs assessment and schools: Members discussed models other towns have used for community needs and equity assessments and noted that Needham is completing a townwide equity audit of departments and committees. The committee also discussed continued engagement with the REAL (Race, Equity, Access, and Leadership) coalition and noted school-focused outreach will continue.
Subcommittees and events: The group agreed to explore a human-library partnership with the library (training in November), to recruit volunteers for digital-accessibility work, and to consider cultural-appreciation programming or a multicultural festival at a future date.