ST. PAUL, MN – MDHR will host a community meeting on Monday, July 18 in St. Cloud to discuss the future vision and work of the office Department of Human Rights' St. Cloud Office. The meeting is set for 6 p.m. at the St. Cloud State University Welcome Center at 355 Fifth Ave. S, St. Cloud, MN, 56301.

On June 1, Governor Mark Dayton signed legislation to provide annual funding for the Minnesota Department of Human Rights’ Regional Office in St. Cloud. The $180,000 allotment provides for full-time day-to-day operations of the office. The funding became available to the Department on July 1.

“MDHR plays an important role in resolving disputes prior to the involvement of the courts by fostering meaningful community dialog and by constructively examining systems that lead to disparate outcomes,” Minnesota Department of Human Rights Commissioner Kevin Lindsey said. “MDHR has been receiving input from community leaders since the beginning of the year to develop a vision for the St. Cloud office that can support Central Minnesota.”

Central Minnesota community members will have another opportunity to shape the approach and plans of MDHR’s regional office at the July 18 meeting.

“The St. Cloud Regional Human Rights Office will be an important resource for Central Minnesota residents,” Lt. Governor Tina Smith said. “These permanent new resources will help us accelerate investigations of human rights violations and support our work to build a more open, welcoming and inclusive community in the St. Cloud area.”

“The additional funding will be very instrumental in supporting the mission of the Department,” Commissioner Lindsey said. “We would like to thank Governor Dayton for championing this funding and members of the Legislature, including Representative Jim Knoblach, for supporting this critical work. This is an important first step to ensure all Minnesotans have the opportunity to achieve their full potential.” 

Experienced enforcement officers from MDHR’s St. Paul office will staff the St. Cloud office every other Wednesday to provide intake services, to investigate discrimination complaints and meet with members of public until an enforcement officer is hired for the St. Cloud office. In addition, the Department has hired student workers to expand its presence at community events and meetings in the St. Cloud area.

If you believe you have been discriminated against in violation of the Minnesota Human Rights Act, please contact MDHR’s enforcement unit at 651.539.1100, 1.800.657.3704 or online at mn.gov/mdhr/intake. There is no fee to file a charge with MDHR. For more information about discrimination or your rights under the MHRA, please visit mn.gov/mdhr or follow the conversation on Twitter at @mnhumanrights.

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