The Census: Why it Matters and How to Help

 
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A Message from the Pilgrim Race+Equity Action Group

The Census Nitty Gritty:

Participating in the census shapes our future!  Census results inform how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding are allocated to more than 100 programs, including Medicaid, Head Start, mental health services, the SNAP food program, job preparation, and housing. It shows where Durham needs new schools, clinics, roads and services for families.  Data from the Census brings federal tax dollars to North Carolina at $16,000 per person and to Durham specifically – $1,623 per person, per year.  Durham’s current rate of participation is about 60%. We only have until Sept 30 to bring that number up. 

Increasing participation in the census, particularly with undercounted groups, is a Christian task because it is a direct tool to equitably put resources where they are truly needed.

How can Pilgrims help get everyone counted?  

  • Do your census, if you haven’t yet: https://my2020census.gov/

  • Help friends/family who need help figuring it out/getting it done. (Yes, you can do it in non-English languages online and/or you can do it over the phone!)

  • Post about the census in your networks, especially networks working with under counted groups, ex. Meals on Wheels or Habitat for Humanity

  • Post on social media. Click here for some possible posting options.  Use the hashtags #MakeNCCount  #DurhamCounts

  • Work as a paid census worker, or share the idea with a job-hunting friend.

  • Reach out to the census to see where else they may need help.

  • Post census info like this poster or this one in places where hard to count groups might come, ex. bus stops, etc. (If you want more targeted posters they are available here.) We have pre-printed posters for folks to pick-up and post from 9-4pm Tues-Thurs and 9-12pm on Friday if you want them.

The Details: 

Approximately 10% of North Carolinians are in hard-to-count groups:  minorities, the elderly, children, low income folks, and households without internet.  When door-knocking by census workers began on August 9, Durham was 9.9% behind its final 2010 rate -- a big challenge since the census timeframe has been shortened by 4 weeks.

Many Black, Asian, and Latinx people were extremely or very concerned that their answers to the 2020 census would be used against them, and worried about privacy and confidentiality.  Census officials promise that Census data are safe and secure.  All 2020 Census responses are kept confidential and private. It’s the law. Your responses cannot be shared and cannot be used against you by any government agency or court in any way. 

 
Felicia Flanders