The City of Terre Haute Human Relations Commission Department has moved.
                The office of the Human Relations Commission used to be housed in the Booker T Washington Community Center. The office has been relocated to the first floor of City Hall, 17 Harding Avenue. The Commission provides education and promotes equal rights to eliminate prejudice and the practice of discrimination in employment, housing, financing, education, and public accommodation against any individual or group based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial status, or physical/mental disabilities. The City and the commission addresses diversity issues to ensure the community is aware of the need to understand the law that protects the human and civil rights of all of our citizens.
                Many factors were taken into consideration when discussing and approving the move and a vote was taken by the board of commissioners. Mayor Duke Bennett and the City Council also encouraged and approved the move. Being placed in City Hall provides the director with a better “ear” to the city, makes other city departments much more accessible and more support is available from the administration, government officials and city employees. The Human Relations Commission only has one employee. She will no longer have to spend time driving across town every time resources are needed. She will also have access to her office when City Hall is closed to the public, giving her freedom to assist clients when it is most convenient for them. 
City Hall is on the bus route and is easily accessible to all members of the community. It is a neutral location and is in close proximity to Indiana State University, so students will have easier access to services if they feel they are experiencing discrimination. The director is willing to meet with people in a safe community space if they do not feel comfortable visiting City Hall. There is a lot of foot traffic in the hallways of City Hall and having the Human Relations Commission in a high-traffic area allows for more opportunity to promote awareness and education about diversity with materials/resources available to any visitor to the building.