New Bedford-Based Community Outreach Programs Making an Impact

Two programs in New Bedford city government are making a real connection with area residents: the New Bedford Human Rights Commission and the Face-to-Face Mediation Program.

Marci Pina-Christian is the Executive Director of the New Bedford Human Rights Commission. She also serves as the Program Director for Community Outreach and Engagement for the City of New Bedford.

Pina-Christian visited Townsquare Sunday this week, along with Cheryl Duclos of the Face-to-Face Mediation Program.

The Face-to-Face Mediation Program is a free service offered by the City of New Bedford and the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office, and is available to residents in 25 communities in Greater New Bedford and Fall River. Duclos said her office handles about 300 cases a year.

"Mostly what we're hearing is tenants having to leave their apartment because the landlord is selling the property," Duclos said. "We explore options with the landlord on how the tenant could stay a little longer, or what resources might be available so the tenant does not become homeless."

The program mediates disputes involving neighbors, disability complaints, and consumer issues between buyers and sellers. Face-to-Face mediators also work in the trial court system, hoping to settle cases before complaints are issued.

Pina-Christian said the program has also recently mediated about a half-dozen divorce cases, "and those who participate in it, love it because its free."

She said the agency is specific about the types of divorce cases it handles, mainly amicable divorces with parties who just want to divide assets and move on.

"On the Human Rights Commission, we deal mainly with discrimination complaints," Pina-Christian. "Some of those complaints can be handled with a phone call, or mediation, but more serious complaints are referred to the Mass. Commission Against Discrimination, or the Civil Rights Division of the Attorney General's Office."

Pina-Christian said the Commission also hears cases that may involved disputes over back-wages, derogatory language involving two parties, work-related conflicts, or disputes involving parents with the school department.

The Commission also marks "Human Rights Day" on December 10 with an awards ceremony and supports other human rights events.

You can learn more about the Human Rights Commission and Face-to-Face mediation by calling (508) 979-1464.

If you would like your organization featured on Townsquare Sunday, please email the host at jim.phillips@townsquaremedia.com.