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10 Minutes, 10 Questions, 10 Years of Impact:
How You Can Help Get Out the Count

Census Data is Critical to Ensuring a Decade of Services for Low-Income New Yorkers and Congressional Representation  

By: Victoria Black, Partnerships & Impact Manager

New York City is at risk of losing hundreds of millions of dollars and two congressional seats, due to a 2020 Census undercount that will impact the next decade of federal funding and electoral representation. In July, the Census Bureau tried to shorten the census deadline a full month, from October 31st to September 30th. A federal judge recently blocked this attempt, but the government is likely to appeal this decision. This means that, for the 40 percent of New Yorkers who have yet to be counted, at best, there’s a month and at worse, there could be even less time, to complete the census.

An undercount will have detrimental effects for generations to come. From payments for education and health care to infrastructure, community food programs, transportation, childcare, and a range of social welfare programs that are critical for vulnerable New Yorkers, attaining a complete census count is crucial for the future of our city. With the stakes so high, especially for those living in poverty, we at Robin Hood, in partnership with Hester Street and United Way of New York City, are urging all New Yorkers to help get out the count.

SO HOW CAN YOU HELP?

  • Fill out your census now by visiting my2020Census.gov or calling 844-330-2020. Keep in mind, if you left the city during the pandemic, but are still a New Yorker, we're counting on you to complete the census using your primary New York City address.

  • Reach out to your friends, family, book clubs, alumni networks, etc. to encourage them to fill out their census and reiterate that all information shared on the Census is protected. If someone is distrustful of the government, please share these key points: 

    • There is no citizenship question on the 2020 Census  

    • The Census Bureau has very strong privacy protections. It’s illegal, under federal law, for the Census Bureau to share individual census data with anyone for 72 years, and that includes any other government agencies. 

  • Leverage your social platforms to sound the alarms about the census by posting memes or creating a simple video explaining why you completed the census and why others should do the same. Or consider posting in local neighborhood Facebook groups. For some helpful countdown social post ideas, click here.

  • Update your email signature, if allowed by your company. Ex: “10 Minutes, 10 Questions, 10 Years of Impact. Be sure to complete 2020 Census Today at www.my2020census.gov.”

  • Visit the Hester Street website’s Interactive Map to see the most under-counted neighborhoods across the city. The map will help to identify community-based assets, learn about historically undercounted communities, and visualize geographically relevant Census data for 2020 Census efforts. Check it out here.

  • Volunteer by reaching out to local non-profits and ask how you can help them ensure everyone gets counted (i.e., by offering translation services, developing graphic designs for social media posts/flyers, or calling New Yorkers in neighborhoods with the lowest self-response rates). Find a list of local organizations in your neighborhood here.

  • Host a digital or social-distance friendly event that incorporates the census and makes it a fun experience, where your friends and family can fill it out together. 

With budget cuts at the state and city level, this year’s Census holds even more weight for New Yorkers, especially as we continue to fight for racial, social, and economic equality. An accurate count is more critical than ever before for the health of our loved ones and the future of our City.

10 Minutes, 10 Questions, 10 Years of Impact. Do your part for New York City today.