U.S. Commission on Civil Rights

CIVIL RIGHTS DIRECTORY

STATE AND LOCAL AGENCIES - NEW YORK

Goshen
Hauppauge
Mineola
New City
New Rochelle
New York
Niagra Falls
Schenectady
Syracuse
Utica

ORANGE COUNTY HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
30 Matthews Street, Suite 110
Goshen, NY 10924

(Vacant), Executive Director
Tel: (914) 291-2191
Fax: (914) 291-2135
TDD: None

The Commission investigates and/or mediates complaints alleging discrimination because of race, color, creed, national origin, age, sex, disability, marital status and ex-offender status, in employment, housing, public accommodations, and credit. It also resolves conflicts based on racial, ethnic, and religious differences.

Geographic area(s) served: Orange County
Type(s) of publications: None

SUFFOLK COUNTY HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION (SCHRC)
158 North County Complex
Veterans Memorial Highway
Hauppauge, NY 11788

Paulette Bartunek, Acting Executive Director
Tel: (516) 853-5480
Fax: (516) 853-6169
TDD: None

The SCHRC investigates complaints of discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, age, and sexual orientation in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, and credit. The SCHRC achieves its various goals through public education, investigation of complaints, factfinding conferences, conciliation, and technical assistance.

Geographic area(s) served: County of Suffolk
Type(s) of publications: None

NASSAU COUNTY COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
400 County Seat Drive
Mineola, NY 11501

James D. Rice, Executive Director
Tel: (516) 571-3663
Fax: (516) 571-1422
TDD: None

The Commission's mandate is to investigate and bring about appropriate redress of charges of discrimination based on age, race, color, creed, sex, marital status, national origin, or disability in employment, education, public accommodations, housing, and credit. The Commission also promotes positive intergroup relations among various racial and ethnic groups in Nassau County.

Geographic area(s) served: Nassau County
Type(s) of publications: Brochures

ROCKLAND COUNTY COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
18 New Hemstead Road
New City, NY 10956

Cassandra Griffen McIntyre, Commissioner
Tel: (914) 638-5590
Fax: (914) 638-5254
TDD: None

The Commission receives and investigates complaints of discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, and disability in education, employment, housing, and public accommodations. The staff conciliates, holds hearings, and conducts educational programs for the public, and provides training and technical assistance. The Commission is mandated to act in an ombudsman role to monitor community situations that are discriminatory in nature.

Geographic area(s) served: Rockland County
Type(s) of publications: None

NEW ROCHELLE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
515 North Avenue
New Rochelle, NY 10801

Robert D. Goodstein, Chairperson
Peter A. Korne, City Manager
Tel: (914) 654-2163
Fax: (914) 654-2174
TDD: None

The Commission fosters mutual respect and understanding among racial, religious, and nationality groups within the city; conducts inquiries into incidents of group tension or conflict; takes action to alleviate tension and conflict; conducts and recommends educational programs to increase good will; receives complaints of alleged discrimination; and seeks the assistance of the State Division of Human Rights.

Geographic area(s) served: City of New Rochelle
Type(s) of publications: None

CIVIL RIGHTS BUREAU NEW YORK STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL
120 Broadway
New York, NY 10271

Chevon Fuller, Bureau Director
Tel: (212) 416-8250
Fax: (212) 416-8074
TDD: None

The mission of the Bureau is to protect New Yorkers from discrimination in employment, housing, credit, education, and public accommodations on the basis of the federally protected classes with the exception of familial status and with the addition of marital status. While the State Division of Human Rights is primarily concerned with individual cases, the Attorney General's office concentrates on cases that show a "pattern and practice" of discrimination.

Geographic area(s) served: State of New York
Type(s) of publications: None

NEW YORK CITY COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
40 Rector Street
New York, NY 10006

Marta B. Varela, Chair and Commissioner
Tel: (212) 306-7530
Fax: (212) 306-7648
TDD: (212) 306-7686

The New York City Commission on Human Rights enforces the city's human rights law. It investigates and prosecutes illegal discrimination and seeks to improve relations among the city's diverse groups. The law prohibits discrimination based on race, creed, color, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, sexual orientation, sex, disability, lawful occupation, arrest or conviction record, marital status, family status, and retaliation; and prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations as well as sexual and bias-related harassment.

Geographic area(s) served: City of New York
Type(s) of publications: Quarterly newsletter and brochures

NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
55 W. 125th Street, 13th Floor
New York, NY 10027

Edward Mercado, Commissioner
Tel: (212) 961-8790
Fax: (212) 961-8552
TDD: (212) 961-8999

The Division enforces the New York State Human Rights Law, which prohibits discrimination in housing against federally protected classes and on the basis of age, creed, or marital status. The Division takes, investigates, and processes discrimination complaints in employment, apprenticeship/training; purchase or rental of housing or commercial property; public accommodations, resort and amusement facilities; nonsectarian tax-exempt educational institutions; credit transactions based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, prior arrest or conviction record; or believed retaliation for opposing unlawful discriminatory practices.

Geographic area(s) served: State of New York
Type(s) of publications: Newsletters, brochures and pamphlets

NIAGARA FALLS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
1425 Main Street
Niagara Falls, NY 14302

Herman Boyer, Director
Tel: (716) 286-4926
Fax: (716) 286-4885
TDD: None

The Commission is mandated to respond to complaints of discrimination and to foster mutual understanding among different racial, religious, and ethnic groups.

Geographic area(s) served: City of Niagara Falls
Type(s) of publications: None

SCHENECTADY HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
County Judiciary Building
612 State Street
Schenectady, NY 12305

Anne M. Donnelly, Executive Director
Tel: (518) 370-5674
Fax: (518) 388-4519
TDD: None

The Commission processes complaints of discrimination based on race, creed, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or conviction record in employment, housing, public accommodations, and credit. It endeavors to reduce community conflict through positive resolution of problems. It serves as a referral agency concerning individual and group rights in matters outside its jurisdiction.

Geographic area(s) served: City and County of Schenectady
Type(s) of publications: Human rights pamphlets

SYRACUSE & ONONDAGA COUNTY HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
John H. Mulroy Civic Center, 11th Floor
421 Montgomery Street
Syracuse, NY 13202

Linda M. Hall, Executive Director
Tel: (315) 435-3567
Fax: (315) 435-2439
TDD: None

The Commission responds to complaints of alleged discrimination based on race, creed, marital status, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, and disability in employment, housing, community services, public accommodations, and criminal justice. The Commission designs programs to promote understanding among groups of people and monitors fair employment practices of city and county contractors.

Geographic area(s) served: Onondaga County
Type(s) of publications: Newsletter, brochure, and annual report

UTICA COMMISSION ON HUMAN RELATIONS
City Hall
One Kennedy Plaza
Utica, NY 13502

The Reverend P. Arthur Bridisi, Executive Director
Tel: (315) 792-0240
Fax: None
TDD: None

The Commission hears complaints regarding violations of the State Human Rights Law and prepares formal complaints. It also provides education to the public promoting awareness of the New York State Human Rights Law, etc.

Geographic area(s) served: City of Utica and Suburbs
Type(s) of publications: None