The Census happens once every decade with the mission of counting every person living in the United States once, only once and in the right place.
The 2020 Census is a huge opportunity for North Carolina.
Based on recent statistics we know that Halifax and Northampton Counties are considered hard to count for a number of reasons.
In fact, studies have predicted that our counties will lose population, which is all the more reason to make sure your entire household is counted.
(A Census FAQ can be found at this link)
Federal funding boils down to about $1,600 per person based on the census.
Also the census impacts our congressional representation.
We must maintain our voice through participation in our civic duties because if everyone is counted we could possibly gain an additional seat.
https://rrspin.com/opinion/2599-census-a-huge-opportunity-for-north-carolina.html#sigProId15badf6239
Many challenges, obstacles and misinformation about the Census persist which could hamper participation – especially in black communities, communities of color and in rural communities, which have been traditionally undercounted in the Census.
An example of this pivot is National Census Day, April 1, 2020, a day of education and outreach around the 2020 Census.
The Roanoke Valley Community Health Initiative, A Better Chance A Better Community, Southeastern Halifax Coalition, and Partner In Faith commemorates Census Day 2020 by joining government, nonprofit, community based, business and service organizations across the state in reminding individuals living in North Carolina to fill out the U.S. Census form and make sure friends, family, and neighbors are also counted.
It is vital everyone living in Halifax and Northampton county on April 1, 2020, be counted as living in North Carolina on the 2020 Census.
The message is simple
Responding to the Census is convenient. Households can respond by mail, phone at 1-844-330-2020 or online at this link.
The Census is 100 percent confidential and protected by federal law.
Everyone must be counted because the Census is critical to the economic and general well-being of Halifax and Northampton counties.
“As we grapple with COVID-19, we must not forget the Census,” Stacey Carless, executive director of N.C. Counts said. “North Carolina must be counted to ensure that our state receives the funding it needs post coronavirus to ensure vibrant and healthy communities. We only get one shot every ten years to get it right so let’s do it now.”
For more information please visit www.nccensus.org
Chester Williams is chief empowerment officer of the Enfield-based A Better Chance A Better Community — ABC 2