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City of Goshen offices closed Monday, January 20, in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Friday, January 17, 2025

All City of Goshen offices will be closed on Monday, January 20, in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Trash collection services WILL CONTINUE AS REGULARLY SCHEDULED on Monday and the rest of the week. more

Notice of Adoption of Ordinance 5209, City of Goshen Stormwater Management Ordinance

Monday, January 13, 2025

Ordinance 5209, City of Goshen Stormwater Management Ordinance, was passed by the Goshen Common Council on December 16, 2024, and approved and adopted by Mayor Leichty on December 17, 2024. Ordinance 5209 regulates: (i) Discharges of prohibited non-stormwater flow into the stormwater drainage... more

Goshen Water Utility Shares Tips to Prevent Frozen Water Lines

Monday, January 13, 2025

With colder weather approaching, the Goshen Water Utility is here to help residents and businesses protect their water lines from freezing. While current conditions don’t call for a Freeze Warning, the Utility encourages everyone to take proactive steps to avoid frozen or burst pipes and ensure uninterrupted... more

Upcoming Events All »

Plan Commission

Today, 4:00pm

To view the webinar, please copy and paste this link on your browser: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/93316714369 Or call: (301) 715-8592 or 312 626 6799 Webinar ID: 933 1671 4369

Board of Public Works and Safety

Thursday, January 23, 2025, 4:00pm

To join the webinar please copy and paste this link on your browser: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88469251269

Shade Tree Board

Monday, January 27, 2025, 4:00pm

Community Relations Commission

To contact the Community Relations Commission: 574-537-3839 x358 or email communityrelations@goshencity.com.

2024 CRC Essay Competition

International Women's Day Luncheon

The Community Relations Commission (CRC) is dedicated to improving the quality of life in Goshen by creating programs and initiatives that benefit all community members. The Commission is committed to establishing a city free from racism and discrimination. It fosters strong bonds among residents and within neighborhoods, addresses complex issues, advocates for health, safety, and wellness, and encourages respectful interactions among Goshen's diverse population.

Nine volunteer Commissioners appointed by the City Council and the Mayor serve on the board. Members include a broad range of representatives who share the vision of a unified, thriving Goshen.

Staffing

Mayor Leichty's office champions our Community Relations efforts, dedicating multiple staff roles to enhance the work of the Community Relations Commission (CRC). Michael Wanbaugh leads the team as the Director of Administrative Affairs and oversees the operations of the Mayor's office, including the activities of the CRC.

Michael Wanbaugh is the point person for community engagement as the Community Relations Manager, his focus being on providing direct support to citizens, planning events, broadening community outreach, and handling written communications.

Purpose

The CRC engaged the community to identify the following vision and guiding principles.

Honor the dignity of each person and each person’s rights
Listen to the diverse voices of the community
Cultivate constructive communication and engagement
Value honesty, truthfulness, and integrity
Promote a community that is safe for all
Acknowledge and accept the challenge of change – which may have positive and negative consequences.
Promote the acceptance of differences
Promote the equality and freedom from discrimination

In the true spirit of being a community-focused organization, the CRC has embarked on a long-term process of inviting others to interact with, endorse, and adopt these principles as their own.

History of the CRC

In 2004, then-Mayor Alan Kauffman and the City Council had the foresight to establish the CRC for the purpose of fostering a climate of positive community relations, non-discrimination, and equal opportunity within and throughout all of Goshen. The Commission was created with the passage of Ordinance 4201 and amended in 2006 by Ordinance 4339 and again in 2009 by Ordinance 4526,

Resources for Residents

Little Big Ideas Grant

This initiative is aimed at inspiring creativity and enhancing the quality of place in Elkhart County! We’re on a mission to help residents love where they live by unleashing innovative ideas that can transform our communities. This inclusive program invites anyone anyone who cares about where they live to submit their ideas—whether you’ve spotted a fantastic concept in New York, Shanghai, or even Kokomo, let’s test it!

Call the Indiana Civil Rights Commission @ (800) 628-2909.

Website: www.in.gov/icrc/

2024 CRC Essay Competition
2023 CRC Essay Competition
2021 Sundown Town survey summary
2021 Letter to the Community
2021 Carta a la comunidad
CRC Annual Report 2021
CRC Annual Report 2019
CRC Annual Report 2018
Meet the CRC Commissioners
View our guidelines for visitors at CRC meetings and the resolution passed by the CRC adopting the guidelines.
What does a CRC member do? (Commissioner job description).
To read our most recent agendas and minutes, scroll down
CRC agenda and minutes archives

Learn more about the CRC: