Logan Square Neighborhood Association Hits the Streets for Census Kick-Off 125 Logan Square Parents Cheer, “Yes We Can; Yes We Count!”
Published: February 5, 2010
PRESS RELEASE Contact: Tami (773) 384-4370 x48
For Friday, Feb 5th (224) 221-6928 (cell)
Logan Square Neighborhood Association
Hits the Streets for Census Kick-Off
125 Logan Square Parents Cheer, “Yes We Can; Yes We Count!
“I didn’t know that the Census was used to send money to the community,” said Moraima Dones. “But after I learned that, I started encouraging people to fill out the form so we can take advantage of those resources.”
Over one hundred Logan Square Neighborhood Association parent leaders like Ms. Dones went door-to-door to spread the word about the Census during the Census Kick-Off on Friday morning at Funston Elementary in Logan Square. After a brief training, 125 parents hit the streets, going door-to-door to encourage neighbors to participate in the Census. Armed with homemade posters and cheering, “Yes We Can; Yes We Count!” the group made a splash on this gray winter morning.
“There is unfortunately a lot of misinformation out there about the Census,” said Logan Square Neighborhood Association organizer Tami Love. “And so we need to be neighbor-to-neighbor ambassadors. And we need to make it fun.”
In 2000, fewer than 50% of Logan Square households returned their Census forms, putting the neighborhood on the list of “hot spots.”
“A lot of our neighbors are undocumented immigrants, and so naturally they worry about filling out a government form,” said Ms. Love. “Logan Square Neighborhood Association, as a trusted community organization, can bridge that gap. We can make sure people know there is nothing to fear.”
Nothing to fear, of course, but funds slipping away from the community due to Census undercounts. Community organizations, like Logan Square Neighborhood Association, are in key position to increase Census awareness in traditionally undercounted groups.
For example, Logan Square Neighborhood Association can tap into its deep community school networks. The Census Kick-Off this morning was attended by 125 parent mentors and parent tutors, parents from seven elementary schools who volunteer daily in the classroom. These parent leaders, in turn, can combat common Census myths within their vast networks of family, friends, and neighbors.
For the next several months, Logan Square Neighborhood Association will work within schools, congregations, block clubs and other community agencies to make sure thousands of additional residents get counted. The organization’s goal is to increase participation by 10%.
“Today, I felt a lot of excitement in the air about the Census,” commented Logan Square Neighborhood Association organizer Leticia Barrera. “When everyone started cheering, ‘Yes we can; yes we count,’ it hit me that we are really going to achieve our goal. The Census is in our hands.”
WHO: 125 Parent Mentors with Logan Square Neighborhood Association (LSNA)
WHAT: Brief Census training, followed by “Walking Census” kick-off where participants will go out door-to-door to spread the word
WHEN: Friday, February 5th
10AM Workshop with Census Jeopardy game
10:30AM Parents take to the streets to go door-to-door with Census information
11:15AM Event concludes
WHERE: Funston Elementary School, 2010 N. Central Park. Entrance on Armitage Ave.
Interviews will be available in English and Spanish
Las entrevistas estarán disponibles en Inglés y Español
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