Corona del Mar (CDM) High School Human Relations Council (HRC) is a student led organization that serves as a catalyst for positive action and change by promoting unity across campus. The Council is dedicated to creating an interconnected campus that listens, accepts, and respects the voices of people of all backgrounds. Students develop their leadership potential by participating in activities that will increase knowledge and awareness of self and others. This year, the group launched a campaign to promote student voices and unity by bringing diverse groups on campus to integrate our message of “Ubuntu” or the “spirit of community” into their programs and activities.

The Council has made significant strides in institutionalizing an integration of human relations issues and student voices to many aspects of school wide policy. HRC led the way in bringing together key student leadership groups in biweekly Leadership Council meetings. These meetings have ensured that a wider scope of students is involved in spreading the message of safety, equity, and inclusion on their campus. The effort is early in its development; however, it is unprecedented and has led to an amazing change. Groups which rarely communicated or united are now regularly looking toward each other for suggestions and support. The What Students See Forum brought together key stakeholders in the community – leadership groups, Newport Beach Community Services Youth Council, and CDM’s administration and faculty – in a final dialogue and celebration of the collaboration which has taken place throughout the year. The event provided an opportunity for the groups to make recommendations and commit to actions that will be facilitated by the Council through projects to be implemented next school year.

The Bridges Program at Huntington Beach High School (HBHS) was established only last year and has already experienced much success. The program was funded and brought to HBHS by the Huntington Beach Human Relations Task Force (HBHRTF) to promote and encourage school unity and equity among the school’s diverse students. The Bridges Program members have hosted two Campus Pride Days involving over 500 students, supported “Rachel’s Challenge”, an anti-violence campaign, hosted Human Relations retreats, facilitated a district wide dialogue, helped with the Huntington Beach city-wide program Read One Book, and is currently in the process of organizing an International Fair to represent the various cultures of the community. The purpose of these activities is to provide inclusive and equitable opportunities for students to get to know one another, work together, and communicate beyond cliques that are found on any high school campus.

In addition, the Bridges Program, along with the administration at HBHS, is working to establish a Parent Leadership Institute, an outreach program for English Learner students and their parents so that both can be more involved with the campus. The Bridges Program is also taken steps to involve the local community in its work, through both participation and donations. The success of HBHS Bridges Program is due to the consistent commitment and boundless energy of the Bridges members along with support from the HBHRTF, the mayor and city council-members, city staff, the HBHS administration, OC Human Relations and the Huntington Beach community. It is through this network of passionate individuals interested in improving the school and community that the goal of creating positive change remains viable.

Ken Nguyen has been a dedicated volunteer in Orange County since 1979, participating on numerous boards, commissions, and organizations, and taking on leadership roles for the purpose of educating others about the Vietnamese community’s contributions, culture and history. His efforts have helped Little Saigon to flourish and become an educational and cultural asset to the County. Ken has led landmark efforts like the Vietnam War Memorial in Westminster, the annual Christmas Wish Program and the Moon Festival as part of his goal to build a multicultural county that acknowledges and appreciates the contributions of each community. Among his many community involvements, Ken is founder and chairman of the Little Saigon Foundation – a Vietnamese community-based non-profit organization that focuses mostly on programs for youth and in offering community service. The Foundation’s advocacy services have benefited countless Vietnamese who have recently immigrated, assisting them to adapt to a new country and helping them become engaged participants in the community. Ken serves as a Vietnamese Community Resource Specialist to the cities of Garden Grove, Westminster, and Santa Ana and on the Santa Ana Parks and Recreation Commission. In his many roles, Ken has effectively advocated for Vietnamese-American rights, while exposing elected officials, community members, and others to the Vietnamese community, using a multilateral approach in not only identifying the community’s needs, but also in identifying the community’s strength and contributions.

Agency representatives participate on a voluntary basis, often as a collateral duty to their primary job responsibilities. In order to build up its infrastructure and to enhance its ability to properly respond to human trafficking incidents, Westminster PD pursued and received federal funding for OCHTTF to improve the following categories: personnel, training and outreach, police involvement. Outreach efforts have established a greater, more active presence for OCHTTF in Orange County, neighboring counties, and aligned activities with state and federal outreach such as the Health and Human Services campaign, Rescue and Restore. An increase in community tips to the National Human Trafficking Resource number, 1.888.3737.888, has led to improved identification of possible trafficking victims, which has resulted in treatment consistent with victim services standards rather than assumed criminalization.