City Human Rights Commission Announces Annual Award Winner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 16, 2009

For more information, please contact:
Barbara McKinney, Director, Human Rights Commission, City of Bloomington, 349-3429
Danny Lopez, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349-CITY, [mailto:lopezd@bloomington.in.gov]


Bloomington, IN - The City of Bloomington Human Rights Commission (BHRC) has announced New Leaf/New Life, a local criminal justice reform advocacy organization founded in 2005, as the winner of its 11th annual Human Rights Award.

New Leaf/New Life's mission is to reduce the jail population by helping incarcerated people change attitudes and behaviors to ensure their success upon release. The programs the organization spearheads include Addicts in Recovery for male inmates with substance and alcohol abuse problems and writing programs to help inmates develop important communication skills.

Additionally, New Life/New Leaf runs programs that continue the counseling sessions and help inmates find housing and employment after they are released. In all, almost 400 people per year are impacted by the services provided.

Hal Taylor, president of New Leaf/New Life, will be accepting the award on behalf of the organization.

The Human Rights Award honors individuals or groups making specific and significant contributions to improving civil rights, human relations or civility in our community. Valeri Haughton, chair of the BHRC, will present the award at the Bloomington Common Council meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 6, at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 401 N. Morton Street.

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