Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations News Release

Bob Holden
Governor

Catherine B. Leapheart
Director

Tammy Cavender
Public Information Coordinator

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:  Tammy Cavender (573) 751-7500
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  January 16, 2004

MISSOURI COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS SPONSORS FIRST POSTER AND JOURNALISM CONTESTS

Jefferson City, MO --  Fair Housing “There’s Room For All Of Us”—that is the theme of the 2003-2004 Poster and Journalism Contests sponsored by the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations’ Missouri Commission on Human Rights (MCHR).  The MCHR received funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to further fair housing in the state of Missouri and this contest is one mechanism the MCHR is using with those funds.  The purpose of these contests is to promote a greater awareness of fair housing issues among Missouri’s youth.  Students are asked to think about neighborhoods and an acceptance of all people as good neighbors regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability, or familial status (defined as families with children 18 or younger).

The contests are open to all Missouri students in grades 7 through 12.  Contest flyers were distributed to 900 schools today.

Cash prizes to the students and to their schools will be awarded in both the Poster and Journalism Contests.  A portion of the school prize is earmarked for the schools’ journalism/english department and the art department.  “We at the MCHR believe that non-discriminatory behaviors are important lessons for our children to learn,” said Donna Cavitte, Executive Director of the MCHR “and in these tough budget times, a little prize money might help our schools.”  If you would like to receive a contest flyer, please contact Carol Rice at the MCHR (573) 751-1966.

The deadline for submitting entries is April 1, 2004.  Winners, their parents, principals, and teachers will be guests of the MCHR at an award luncheon in Jefferson City at Viet’s Family Restaurant on April 16, 2004.  HUD designated April as Fair Housing Month and there will be other activities around the state to celebrate the event.
 

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