Orange County Human Rights Executive Director Inaudy Esposito announced on Thursday that the Human Rights Commission is now seeking nominations for its 2019 awards.

Now in its 24th year, the Human Rights awards program honors those who have made a significant contribution to advance human rights and eliminate discrimination. Since the inception of the award in 1995, 139 individuals or groups from Orange County have been recognized.

“The Commission is excited to recognize and celebrate the contributions of those exceptional individuals or groups making a difference in Orange County,” Esposito said. “We invite everyone to consider the people, programs and groups in their communities who are ensuring that Orange County is an inclusive, safe and welcoming place for people of all backgrounds.”

Ideal nominations will demonstrate how the nominee meets at least one of the following criteria:

- Fosters mutual respect and understanding and build better relations among diverse groups in Orange County

- Works towards the development of equity for oppressed groups in our community

- Relieves tension and conflict between racial, religious, gender, sexual orientation, differently abled, or nationality groups

- Works to create awareness of, and/or eliminate or reduce discrimination in Orange County

Completed nomination forms must be received no later than February 22, 2019. Nomination forms are available on the Human Rights Commission page on the County website www.orangecountygov.com/humanrights, or by calling Inaudy Esposito at 615-3680. Entries should be emailed to: humanrights@orangecountygov.com or mailed to Orange County Human Rights Commission, 40 Matthews Street, Suite 301, Goshen, N.Y. 10923.