BROOKINGS – The Brookings Interfaith Council and the Brookings Human Rights Commission are collaborating to make Brookings a more welcoming community.

Now they want the public’s help in displaying 240 new multi-lingual welcome signs in Brookings yards.

After a Brookings resident's garage was vandalized with a spray painted racist message, the Brookings Interfaith Council felt compelled to act.

The group made an application for a $750 micro-grant from South Dakota Faith in Public Life to blanket Brookings with yard signs that read in Spanish, English and Arabic, “No matter where you are from, we’re glad you’re our neighbor.”

The plan was to provide around 40 Interfaith Dialogue participants with a sign to display at home and one to give a like-minded neighbor. This would visibly promote inclusivity and propel participants to reach out to their neighbors, build bridges of connection, and open further dialogue.

This plan was shared with members of the Brookings Inclusivity Team, a task force of the Brookings Human Rights Commission seeking to help implement the Brookings City Council’s recent Resolution of Inclusion. The resolution sought to reaffirm the city’s commitment to the values of inclusion, respect, tolerance, equality and justice, as well as reaffirming the city’s commitment to reinforcing these values.

When the Human Rights Commission learned the application was selected for funding, it offered to collaborate on the initiative. It matched the funds provided through the micro-grant, thereby tripling the number of signs to 240.

“I was so proud when Resolution 17-022 passed,” Brookings Mayor Keith Corbett said. “However, I thought, why stop there? Brookings can do more. We need to challenge ourselves to find what more the community can do to ensure everyone is treated with dignity and respect, and embrace the mosaic of diverse residents and visitors in Brookings.”

The free yard signs are available to Brookings residents on a first-come, first-served basis with a limit of two per household. Signs may be picked up at the Brookings City & County Government Center, 520 Third St., Suite 230. Signs must be placed in yards, not on the boulevard or public property.

“When the City Council unanimously passed the Resolution of Inclusivity, it provided clear direction to the Human Rights Commission that words alone would not be sufficient,” Commission Chair Steve Bayer explained. “We can’t just say we are an inclusive community, we need to be an inclusive community. Our actions must be consistent with our words.

“In light of the recent racist vandalism incident, the commission felt compelled to take positive, proactive action to be sure that the spirit and intent of the Resolution of Inclusivity is visibly demonstrated in our community. The opportunity to partner with the Brookings Interfaith Council on this signage program aligned perfectly with our goals.”

The goal is simple: to put into the community a positive message.

“In the same way that the graffiti incident certainly had a negative impact, I think we can have a positive impact with a welcoming and inclusive message in this community,” Bayer said.

“We understand that obviously there was someone out there who felt the need to deliver a very negative message on a garage door, but there are also people out there who are looking to deliver other positive messages to their neighbors. So we're trying to facilitate that,” he added.

The Brookings Interfaith Council brings together Brookings-area residents from various faith backgrounds for monthly potlucks and discussions on themes spiritual, ethical and cultural.

The Brookings Human Rights Commission has the power to investigate allegations of discrimination.

Other programs include:

• The study of the existence, character, causes and extent of discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations, property rights, education and public services.

• Advise and provide a forum for those subjected to unfair and discriminatory practices in the city and county.

• Advise City officials concerning issues of discrimination.

• Conducting educational programs and disseminating information to further the commission’s policy to eliminate discrimination in the city.

• As appointed by the mayor, serve as the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) liaison for the city of Brookings.

For more information, contact:

• Brookings Interfaith Council, Dianne Nagy, 695-7596

• Brookings Human Rights Commission, Shari Thornes, 692-6281.