Patricia M. LaFore, Esq., Director
The Office of Human Rights, a division of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, serves residents and visitors who live, work, and do business in Worcester. The Office of Human Rights strives to ensure that all city residents are treated fairly and equally by working to reduce bigotry, discrimination, intolerance and prejudice. There are times when members of our community face challenges to their most basic human rights: housing, employment, and access to public services, through outreach, educational programs, events and advocacy the office promotes ways to increase respect in our community and safeguards full and equal access and opportunity for all. The office receives and investigates complaints, resolves cases through mediation and advocates in support of human rights issues in partnership with local, state and federal organizations and agencies.
Advocacy
- Advocate for the human and civil rights of ALL residents of the City
- Provide referrals to local, state and/or federal agencies
- Work with municipal departments, boards and commissions, city businesses, and agencies and organizations to increase compliance with local, state and federal laws as well as to raise the level of awareness and sensitivity to human and civil rights issues
Educational Efforts
- Provide community educational forums to raise awareness about human rights
- Educate residents about bias and hate crimes
Complaints & Intakes
- Respond to complaints of human rights violations
- Conduct intakes with individuals (in-person or over the phone) who feel as though their human rights are being violated or that they are the victims of discrimination
Know Your Rights
Accessibility • Consumer • Housing • Labor • Language • LGBTQIA • Women's
The Office of Human Rights offers programs, services, assistance and referrals to help clients find solutions that meet their needs.
Commissions & Committees
Human Rights Commission
It is the goal of the Human Rights Commission to ensure that all city residents are treated fairly & equally by eliminating bigotry, discrimination, intolerance & prejudice.
Advisory Committee on the Status of Women
The function of the Advisory Committee on the Status of Women is to formulate, encourage, promote and monitor programs and policies relating to the status of women in the City of Worcester.
Commission on Latino Affairs
Encourage, promote and monitor policies and practices in the City to ensure that Latinos enjoy the equal protection of the law, equal access to all public services and full enjoyment and exercise of their civil rights.
Request to Display Cultural Flags
The City of Worcester is a diverse community with residents of different cultural backgrounds from around the world. As such, we recognize that the raising and displaying of cultural flags enhances public awareness of this fact and expresses respect to all members of our community.
Referrals
The Office of Human Rights assists clients in finding more permanent solutions to meet their needs by referring clients to a variety of social service agencies and programs.
ASL VLOG - Human Rights
VLOG video presentation for ASL residents about the Office of Human Rights.
Watch Now!
Have a Question?
Discrimination is unfair treatment because of an individual's perceived or actual membership in a particular group.
Massachusetts civil rights laws protect individuals from discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, mortgage lending, credit and education. Each of these areas offers specific protections to particular groups. Protected groups include:
- Disability (defined according to the Americans with Disabilities Act - physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities)
- Race
- Color
- National Origin
- Family Status
- Source of Income (includes Section 8 and Welfare)
- Marital Status (includes married and non-married)
- Sex (includes sexual harassment, male and female)
- Sexual Orientation (heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual)
- Age
- Religion
- Military Status
There are many resources available for persons facing evictions: educational websites, funding sources, pro bono legal advice, and more! If you are facing eviction, feel free to call 508-799-1995 for information about those services and to discuss your eviction on an individualized basis.
You can file a complaint with the Worcester Police Department's Bureau of Professional Standards. You can also file a police misconduct complaint with the Massachusetts POST Commission at https://policecomplaints.mass.gov/complaint.
Resources
Racial Equity Audit of the WPD
Contact Information
Address
Office of Human Rights
51 Sever Street
Worcester, MA 01609
Contact
Phone: 508-799-1995
Email Us
Hours
Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.