Philadelphia racial bias case includes diversity provision

The front gate to the Valley Club in Huntingdon Valley, Pa., remains locked in this Thursday July 9, 2009 file photo. Dozens of black and Hispanic children who said they experienced racial discrimination at a swim club in an overwhelmingly white suburb will share proceeds from the sale of the club, which filed for bankruptcy after their allegations, according to a settlement made public Thursday Aug. 16, 2012. The agreement, announced by the Department of Justice, resolves federal, state and private complaints filed against the Valley Club in Huntingdon Valley.  

A recently settled racial discrimination lawsuit involving dozens of Hispanic and black Philadelphia children who said they were shunned by a swim club in an overwhelmingly white suburban neighborhood includes an unusual provision that aims to heal the wounds caused by the three-year-ordeal.

Attorneys said on August 17 many parents and children from the Creative Steps day camp in Philadelphia and The Valley Club in suburban Montgomery County are looking forward to planning activities together. The settlement calls for $65,000 to be set aside to be used on joint activities.

Club officials canceled a 2009 contract with the day camp after one day and said they didn't have enough lifeguards for the children, who reported hearing racial slurs at the club's pool.

The Huntingdon Valley club later filed for bankruptcy.

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