TOWN OF WINDSOR HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION

&

CITIZENS FOR A UNITED WINDSOR

 

 

NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR 2008 “WINDSOR BRIDGE-BUILDERS AWARDS”

On-Line Application or at Town Locations – Deadline is July 25, 2008

 

 

 

WINDSOR, CONN., July 8, 2008 – Windsor is rich in ethnic, racial and cultural diversity. It’s a town where many people strive to create a human relations climate that celebrates the differences and the similarities of those who live and work here. That’s why Windsor residents are invited to help honor nominate individuals businesses or organizations who are community role models for positive human relations.

 

The Town of Windsor’s Human Relations Commission and Citizens for a United Windsor (CUW) is now seeking nominations for the 14th annual “Windsor Bridge-Builders Awards.” Nominees can include students, church members, neighbors or local businesses who have worked toward greater understanding of differences in Windsor. Anyone, of any age, may fill out an official nomination form for the Windsor Bridge-Builders Awards. The deadline for submitting nominations is Friday, July 25, 2008.

 

The Town’s Human Relations Commission is responsible for encouraging better understanding and relations between all people in Windsor, and promoting better conditions among all, with respect to housing, employment, recreation, health and other quality of life services.  CUW, a grass-roots organization, works to foster greater trust, understanding, and solidarity across the full spectrum of Windsor’s racial, ethnic, and religious diversity.

 

Since its creation in 1995, the awards program has honored a wide range of people including Diane Cecere, Diane McDougald, Geissler’s Supermarket of Windsor, Sandra Baker, Florence Barlow, John F. Berky, William H. Best, Laura and Paul Broxterman, John C. Carmon, Tim Curtis, Anthony (Joe) Cymerys, Sharon Dillon-Rispoli, Mary Ann Doyle, Dr. Elizabeth Feser, Rita Fiero, Patricia Gardner, Lynne Gillette, Marcia Hinckley, Fidelia (Fidie) Lane, Tom Lerario, Thomas G. Martin, Jr., James Mason, Nellie Holmes Mason, Kate and Hugh McLean, Feyla McNamara, Peggy and the late William Newport, Gaye Rizzo, Doreen Richardson, the late Paul Sorbo, Len Swade, Bill Warner-Prouty, Elizabeth Waters, Cori-Lynn Webber, and groups such as Archer Memorial AME Zion Church of Windsor, First Church in Windsor-United Church of Christ, Friends of Northwest Park, Grace Episcopal Church’s “Fun-in-Learning” program, The National Conference for Community & Justice (NCCJ) Conversations on Race program in Windsor, The Windsor Independent Living Association, the partnership of Wilson Congregational and Imani Fellowship Community Churches, and Windsor Federal Savings & Loan Association. Awards have been presented in memory of Stanley Cicero and William L. Perkins, III.                                                               

 

A panel of judges will review all entries. Several individuals, organizations, or businesses will be honored as Windsor Bridge-Builders at a ceremony and reception to be held on Thursday, September 25, 2008 at Windsor Town Hall in Council Chambers. The event will be open to the community and will be sponsored by Citizens for a United Windsor and the Town of Windsor’s Human Relations Commission.

 

All nominees must live or work in Windsor. To be eligible, an individual, organization, or business must meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • Has promoted or promotes the elimination of racism and discriminatory attitudes and practices in Windsor;
  • Has worked or works to establish cooperative relationships with groups concerned with human relations;
  • Has promoted or promotes equal opportunities for all people in Windsor;
  • Has worked or works to further an understanding of a multicultural society in Windsor; and
  • Has worked or works to further communications and understanding between racial, ethnic, and religious groups in Windsor.

 

The following factors will be considered when the judges review the nomination forms:

  • Innovative contributions to individuals or the community;
  • Leadership; and
  • Quantity of volunteer time; and philanthropic gifts or other types of contributions.

 

Official nominations forms for the Windsor Bridge-Builders Awards are available at the Town Clerk’s office in Town Hall, at the Main branch and the Wilson branches of the Windsor Public Library, and at L P. Wilson Community Center, outside of the Recreation Dept. Forms also may be downloaded by clicking on this link (Adobe Acrobat Reader required).

 

For more information about the Windsor Bridge-Builders Awards program, call Diane McDougald in Windsor’s Community Development Department at (860) 285-1984.