Published on December 30, 2024
(ITHACA, NY, December 30, 2024) – Tompkins County is alerting the community to the developing restructure of the Tompkins County Office of Human Rights (OHR), following the departure of Director Dr. Kenneth Clarke.
Beginning January 1, 2025, OHR’s office building at 120 W. State St./MLK Jr. Street (Ithaca) will be temporarily closed, with its one (1) administrative staff temporarily re-locating to the County Administration’s main office at 125 E. Court Street (Ithaca).
The Office of Human Rights is a county department which facilitates the filing of human rights complaints with the New York State Division of Human Rights (NYSDHR).
If you are in need of assistance by the Office of Human Rights, please call the office at (607) 277-4080. OHR services will continue uninterrupted to the best of our ability. Callers will continue to be supported by OHR staff via referral to appropriate services as needed, such as 211, the Worker’s Center, CNY Fair Housing, Law NY and NYS Division of Human Rights.
During this interim period, members of the Tompkins County Human Rights Commission (TCHRC) will be hosting weekly drop-in office hours and special events for the community with more details to follow. Please contact OHR for office hour details. You can also reach the HRC with inquiries via email at: HRC.Tompkinscounty@gmail.com.
In 2025, the Tompkins County Legislature Chair will appoint a working group to consider the restructuring of OHR.
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