HUMAN RELATIONS CONTINUES SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY

This month, the Human Relations Division hosted and participated in three different kinds of service activities. On Friday, Jan. 13, the City hosted its first annual MLK Day of Service in partnership with HPU, bringing together more than 30 employees to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Employee teams worked on two projects: a garden clean-up at the Triad World Relief Community Garden, and a roadside clean-up along MLK Jr. Drive, led by Keep High Point Beautiful. After their highly productive morning shifts, both teams came together to share a lunch, with pizza, snacks, and donuts served by our City leadership team.

In the week following the City's service day, the Human Relations Commission honored one of the City's most remarkable servants, Rev. Robert Williams, longtime pastor of Williams Memorial CME Church, with the Humanitarian of the Year Award.

Nominated by Bernita Sims, Rev. Williams was selected unanimously by the Commission to recognize his significant contribution to promoting understanding, respect, equity, and goodwill among all residents. As Humanitarian of the Year, Rev. Williams took part in the MLK Day parade and the YMCA's Black & White Ball and, finally, was presented with the award at the Jan. 17 City Council meeting.

Barely a week later, Human Relations staff, along with High Point Police and volunteers with the Guilford County CoC, also participated in the Point-in-Time Count, a national late-night and early-morning event to count the number of persons experiencing homelessness on Jan. 25 and 26.

This month, the High Point Public Library began its new monthly sensory story time filled with crafts, songs, stories and other activities designed to support neurodivergent patrons better.

High Point Library Children’s Division became a Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) in 2022, a designation awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) to organizations that complete training and certification to better understand and welcome autistic or sensory-sensitive guests and their families.

A natural progression for the Children’s Division after completing the IBCCES certification was to begin offering programs focused on our neurodivergent patrons.

“This program is so important because our mission is to serve everyone in our community with quality materials and programs. Becoming a Certified Autism Center™ helps us to create understanding and acceptance for our neurodivergent patrons,” said Sarah Nareau, Librarian II for Children’s Services at High Point Library.