By Charisse Johnson
Northside Planning Council

The Northside Planning Council is excited to announce that we have been awarded funds to support Census 2020 outreach on the Northside. What this translates to for our community specifically is a chance to secure our future. As you may know, the census is the official population data collection of the U.S. It is a tool that uses geographic counts to determine how funds are distributed throughout the U.S. across various public programs, as well as accurately establishing our state and local government representation. 

Why is this important to know and what does that have to do with the Northside? The Northside was determined to be an area where it is sometimes difficult to get an accurate count of the population by census definitions. Each year $675 billion, yes billion, is distributed to states and communities based on the populations in each area. We know populations are spread out, and what one community needs in terms of funding is entirely different for another. 

The census captures a snapshot of communities at present, and because the census is conducted only once every 10 years, if populations are under-counted, they are directly affected in the amount of money allocated to the social programs our families and neighbors depend on. For example, public transportation, housing assistance, school funding, emergency preparedness, infrastructure and even the number of government representatives in the state all depend on the accuracy of the census. 

Imagine taking a family reunion photo missing nearly half of the cousins, aunts and uncles, and then being given a check based only on the number of people in the photo. That wouldn’t add up correctly. This is our chance to
be counted. 

Moreover, for the first time ever, the census will be available online for residents to complete and securely submit. This new development is a direct attempt to alleviate common barriers to participation. We view this as an opportunity to strategize and mobilize around census engagement with Northside residents.

Residents can expect to receive their official invitation to complete the census around March 12, 2020, but the field work has already begun. The Northside Planning Council and community partners, such as Warner Park Community Recreation Center, Lakeview Library, Mendota Community School, Anesis Family Therapy, Northside Early Childhood Zone and representatives from Northport, Packers, Vera Court and Kennedy Heights have formed a Census 2020 steering committee dedicated to providing all Northside residents the opportunity to be a part of this movement. By the start of the new year, we will have hired and trained 4‒6 community outreach workers with knowledge of the Northside who are linguistically, culturally and ethnically diverse and well connected in the neighborhood.

In the coming months we will be taking part in community events to create awareness and answer any questions. In March, we will host a series of census events for residents in the area to support online completion of the Census with dinner, childcare and technology available.

Watch for more exciting news about how you can become involved with Census 2020 here on the Northside.