Isaac Liberman Public Service Awards
CCHR Human Rights Specialists Juan Fernandez and Ted Finkelstein were among 18 City career civil service employees who were honored in January with the Isaac Liberman Award, sponsored by the 100 Year Association of New York. Both were recognized for their outstanding achievements during a ceremony hosted by Deputy Mayor Dan Doctoroff.

Mr. Fernandez, Director of the Immigrant Employment Rights Program and tireless advocate for the immigrant community, was awarded the top honor for his efforts in educating the immigrant community about unlawful discrimination. Mr. Finkelstein, Director of Project Equal Access is a 23-year veteran of CCHR. He is responsible for developing and managing the Commission's access program, which provides disability access assistance and education to senior citizens and the disabled community.

Award winners Juan Fernandez (left) and Ted Finkelstein.

JEHT Foundation Funds Employment Discrimination Study
The Commission is providing assistance to professors Bruce Western and Devah Pager from Princeton University with their study of the impact of race and criminal records on securing entry-level positions. The study identifies various discriminatory practices that employers use and measures whether and to what extent discrimination exists.

The project uses matched pairs of testers (Whites and African-Americans or Latinos) who apply for the same jobs with the same resumes and tracks call-backs, interviews, and job offers. The study is funded through a grant from the JEHT Foundation - an organization which promotes human rights and social justice.

Irish Heritage Award
Kathleen Bracken, Director of the Queens Community Service Center, was one of six City employees recognized for her service by City Comptroller William C. Thompson and the Breton Law Society during an Irish heritage event in April. Katie was honored for her work in protecting and advancing human rights.