2010 Census & You
National Census Day is less than 50 days away and ensuring an accurate count is critical to continuing rebuilding and growth for our communities along the gulf coast.

The U.S. Census counts every resident in the United States, and is required by the Constitution to take place every 10 years. Census data is used to allocate over $400 billion annually of federal resources to states and local communities for a variety of programs including housing, transportation, education and health care.  Census dollars are also used for job training centers, schools, senior centers, bridges, tunnels other public works projects and emergency services. The data collected by the Census also helps determine the number of seats your state has in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Without an accurate count our communities stand to lose critical dollars, possibly a seat in the House of Representatives, Electoral votes are at stake, as well as minority voting rights.  As we all know there are many challenges to ensuring an accurate Census in the gulf region. In particular, our communities are often hard to count, language barriers, unique living arrangements, distrust of government, and displacement of hundreds of thousands of residents and small businesses as a result of 9/11, the storms of 2005, the mid west floods of 2008, and the wild fires of 2009 all may lead to under counts in our communities. 

In March of 2010, Census forms will be delivered to every residence in the United States and Puerto Rico. When you receive yours, just answer the 10 short questions and then mail the form back in the Postage-Paid envelope provided. If you don’t mail the form back, you may receive a visit from a Census take, who will ask you the questions from the form. The majority of the country will receive English-only materials. Households in areas with high concentrations of Spanish-speaking residents may receive a bilingual (English/Spanish) form. One can also request Census forms in their respective language by calling the Census Bureau or contacting a local Census Assistance Center, or local partnership specialist.

Any personal data you provide is protected under Federal Law.

We ask that you join us in our efforts to increase community awareness, dispel urban myths about census, insure that our communities receive its fair share of Federal funding, and that minority voting rights are protected.

Trupania Bonner
Executive Director, Moving Forward Gulf Coast, Inc.

January 15
MLK Day Celebration/The Ordinary Peoples Sociaty (TOPS) Dothan, Ala

January 30, February 6, 13
PSA, Commercial Spot Production, Regional meetings & Conference calls

February 20
Regional Community Events/Canvassing (New Orleans, LA, Biloxi, Ms; Dothan, Ala.)

February 22
Launch Media Campaign (State Wide: Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama)

March 13
Regional Census Assistance Forums & Party (New Orleans, LA, Biloxi, Ms; Dothan, Ala.)

March 20
Regional Community Events/Canvassing (New Orleans, LA, Biloxi, Ms; Dothan, Ala.)

March 20-22
Census Faith Weekend

March 22-27
Census Week of Action

April 1st
National Census Day

December 2010
Census numbers delivered to the President

January 2011
Reapportionment

January 2011
Redistricting