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Mayor's Statement News Release Statement from Dubuque Mayor Roy D. BuolPage 1 of 2 Statement from Dubuque Mayor Roy D. Buol MEDIA CONTACT: Roy D. Buol, Mayor 563-690-6502, rdbuol@cityofdubuque.org Sept. 8, 2020 -- For Immediate Release (Mayor Buol will read the following statement at this evening’s Dubuque City Council meeting.) On June 8, 2020, the Dubuque City Council issued a resolution denouncing racism in all its forms for its negative psychological, social, health, educational, and economic effects. The Council further resolved to prioritize advancing racial equity in pursuit of its vision of an inclusive and equitable community. On July 27 and 28, we held nearly eight hours of work sessions with various City staff and community partners. We reviewed the data showing ongoing impacts of racism on life opportunities for our community members of color. We also heard about the work being done by the City and our partners to combat the effects of racism. During City Council’s subsequent goal setting, we had detailed discussions about the importance of advancing racial equity through various priorities, including affordable housing, an equitable fine and fee strategy, and the equitable poverty prevention plan. In addition, management in progress activities include the ongoing developing of racial equity action plans within departments. One of the partners who presented on July 27 was the Dubuque Dream Center. The Dubuque Dream Center is a community outreach center that strives to inspire purpose and vision through impacting youth, strengthening families, and building community. Their “In your Life Mentoring” model is founded on genuine relationships and individualized plans to provide youth the assets they need to be successful in school and in life. Their work has a direct, positive impact on the lives of white, black, and brown youth and families in our community. Last year they served 190 youth through out-of-school time programming, with 73% of those students increasing their reading scores and 88% increasing their math scores. Even during the pandemic, the Dream Center managed to safely continue their Youth Career Development program. Throughout the summer, youth in the program helped to package meals for families, increase facility sanitation measures recommended by the mhtml:file://C:\\Users\\kfirnsta\\AppData\\Local\\Microsoft\\Windows\\INetCache\\Content.Out...9/10/2020 Statement from Dubuque Mayor Roy D. BuolPage 2 of 2 Centers for Disease Control, renovate the Multipurpose Room through the Center’s Carpentry Skill Development Program, and academically tutor youth enrolled in the Center’s Virtual Summer Program. While doing their summer work, they were evaluated on the following skills: accountability, attendance, punctuality, communication skills, and worth ethic. On August 7, these students graduated. Despite all that the Dream Center contributes to the good of our community overall, still they cannot escape racism. We were angered to learn this past week that Dream Center staff received a racially charged voice mail message telling them to “get out of town.” We refuse to stand by silently while one of our partners is attacked. Instead, we choose to expose this unacceptable behavior to the light of day and to call on the community as a whole to stand with the Dubuque Dream Center. The staff, youth, and families at the Center are part of our community. They should feel no doubt that they belong right here in Dubuque. We proudly financially support the work the Dream Center does and their service to our youth. We ask you as residents to stand with us in supporting them now and into the future. We also remind you that the City of Dubuque Human Rights Department staff are available to any community members who experience incidents of discrimination or bias. They can be reached at 563-589-4190 or humanrgt@cityofdubuque.org. # # # Please do not reply to this message. If you would like additional information on this issue, please contact the staff person identified at the top of the message or contact the City of Dubuque Public Information Office at rgehl@cityofdubuque.org or 563.589.4151. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share via Email Copyright © 2020 City of Dubuque. All Rights Reserved. Powered by 50 W. 13th Street, Dubuque, IA 52001 If you no longer wish to receive emails from us, you may Unsubscribe. Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Click here to report this email as spam. mhtml:file://C:\\Users\\kfirnsta\\AppData\\Local\\Microsoft\\Windows\\INetCache\\Content.Out...9/10/2020