CLEVELAND, Ohio — April 1st is Census Day which according to 2020census.gov is “a key reference date for the 2020 Census-not a deadline.”
This date determines who is counted and where in the 2020 Census.
“If we want our community to thrive and if we want to be represented in congress we’ve got to participate, we count, we matter,” explains Program Administrator for Cuyahoga County’s Complete Count Committee, Simeon Best.
He says when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and social distancing orders were implemented they had to change how they worked to reach people.
“It was an event based strategy that we had and of course due to the Coronavirus pandemic we’re now social distancing and we’ve had to change our strategy now,” says Best.
The focus is on a social media campaign but he admits that can be a challenge when trying to reach some in what’s considered the hard to count communities.
“Everyone doesn’t have access to the internet, may not have the social media and things that a lot of people use and so we’re still concerned about those areas.” An alternative way they’re reaching seniors, for example, is to distribute information cards when meals are being delivered to their homes.
South Euclid United Church of Christ Senior Pastor and Teacher, Reverend Courtney Clayton Jenkins planned huge initiatives, visiting popular places in the community to spread the message, but now the focus is on online outreach.
“Crisis breeds creativity and that’s what this offers us when it comes to the census,” she says. “Everybody has influence and so we have to dispel the myths and I honestly think that while we can’t do things in person, we can use social media for a broader reach.”
Since the online campaign began, people in other states have also been reminded to fill out their forms.
“It’s not just about the present it’s also about the future, so people can take ninety seconds to change the future and make sure resources are secured for their community,” says Clayton Jenkins. “We must be counted and we need the resources on the other side of the economy that we’re going got face after this pandemic passes.”
Because of the pandemic, the census deadline has been extended from July 31st to August 14th.