The mission of the Commission is to provide service to the citizens of South Bend through impartial, unbiased decisions regarding discrimination charges filed with the South Bend Human Rights Commission under the ordinance in areas of employment, housing, public accommodation and education, based on race, religion, color, sex, national origin or ancestry, sexual orientation or gender identity, disability and in housing familial status and to stimulate community awareness of equal protection of the law in protected areas through education, collaboration, and coordination with other community agencies.

COVID-19 RESPONSE: Following recommendations from the Indiana State Department of Health, the South Bend Human Rights Commission will not be accepting walk-ins beginning Friday, March 20, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak. The Commission will continue business operations and will continue to take calls and other correspondence. Please call the Commission with any questions.

General Inquiry

General Inquiry Form
By filling out this form, you are only submitting a general inquiry and not filing a charge. If you need immediate assistance, please call the Commission at 574-235-9355.

Free Human Rights Webinar Series

The Human Rights Commission will be hosting weekly live webinars on topics relating to COVID-19 and Human Rights. Please check the list of dates below for the link to join the webinars. All webinars will begin at 10:00 AM. Topics and speakers are subject to change and are listed below.

Please call the Human Rights Commission with questions about the webinar series.

May 2020 Webinars:

05/05/2020: Watch the Webinar Here

Topic: Introduction to South Bend Human Rights Commission and COVID-19 in Housing and Employment

Overview: This webinar will cover the Commission’s location, office hours, Commissioners, Commission Staff, mission, purpose, jurisdiction and timeliness of charges, and the Commission’s enforcement in relation to the City ordinance, EEOC, and HUD. The webinar will also cover topics relating to COVID-19 in Housing such as COVID based foreclosures, how to pay rent, mortgages relating to the federal moratorium, and HUD resources. The webinar will also cover topics relating to COVID-19 in Employment such as paid leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and risk exposure to employees relating to OSHA.

Speakers: HRC Directors M. Diana Moya and Crystal F. McCain

05/12/2020: Watch the Webinar Here

Topic: COVID-19: Federal Moratorium

Overview: This webinar will cover the Federal Moratorium, what to expect when it ends, and legal resources available.

Speakers: Judith Fox, Clinical Professor of Law, Notre Dame Law School

05/19/2020: Watch the Webinar Here

Topic: EEOC COVID-19 Update

Overview: This webinar will cover the current guidelines related to Title VII with specifics on National Origin. The webinar will also cover guidelines on the Americans with Disabilities Act and COVID-19.

Speaker: Brien Shoemaker, Outreach and Education Coordinator, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Indianapolis District Office

05/26/2020: Watch the Webinar Here

Topic: COVID-19 HUD

Overview: This webinar will cover a brief summary of the protections under the Fair Housing Act, discuss sexual harassment in detail, and discuss other issues HUD is seeing as a result of COVID-19.

Speaker: Lon D. Meltesen, Regional Director, Region V, Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

June 2020 Webinars:

06/02/2020:

Topic: WorkOne COVID-19 Employment Resources

Overview: This webinar will cover a employment resources available during COVID-19.

Speaker: Regina C. Ashley, Chief Unemployment Insurance and Workforce Solutions Officer, Indiana Department of Workforce Development

06/09/2020: Watch the Webinar Here

Topic: Indiana Foreclosure Network Program

Overview: This webinar will cover the Indiana Foreclosure Network Program.

Speaker: Mark Neyland, Director of Asset Preservation, Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority.

06/16/2020:

Topic: U.S. Department of Labor

Overview: This webinar will cover topics of employment during COVID-19.

Speaker: Esthela Sandoval, Community Outreach & Resource Planning Specialist (CORPS), U.S. Department of Labor, Wage Hour Division

06/23/2020: Watch the Webinar Here

Topic: Housing Legal Update

Overview: This webinar will cover a housing legal update.

Speaker: Judith Fox, Clinical Professor of Law, Notre Dame Law School and Mark Torma, Indiana Lawyer Network

Human Rights Events

Call the South Bend Human Rights Commission for more information about our events!

04/28/2020: Fair Housing Workshop – CANCELLED due to COVID-19

04/28/2020: Human Rights Awareness Day Awards Luncheon – CANCELLED due to COVID-19

For Kids

Check out the Adventures of Liberty and Justice!

Download The Adventures of Liberty and Justice comic book.

Ordinance

View the South Bend Human Rights Ordinance

Helpful Links

	574.235.9355
	319 N. Niles Ave South Bend, Indiana 46617
	Modified Office Hours: Monday: 8:00AM to 5:00PM Tuesday: 8:00AM to 5:00PM Wednesday: 8:00AM to 5:00PM Thursday: 8:00AM to 5:00PM Friday: 8:00AM to 5:00PM walk-ins not accepted at this time