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July 30th Events: Census Week of Action 

Without a complete count, New York will lose billions for schools, hospitals, and transit, as well as two congressional seats amidst the worst economic crisis in a century

NEW YORK, NY - In order to stave off the potential loss of billions in federal aid for critical programs as well as the loss of up to two congressional seats in the midst of the worst economic crisis in a century, New York City is launching the #GetCountedNYC Census Week of Action to mobilize all households to respond to the census in New York City, which has just a 54% self-response rate as of July 27. From July 27 - August 2, NYC Census 2020, elected officials, and our partners are planning a week of activities citywide to mobilize New Yorkers to self-respond to the 2020 Census. 500 New Yorkers have already signed up to volunteer and New Yorkers can continue to join the effort at nyc.gov/censusweek. 

The Census Week of Action is timed to significantly increase New York City’s self-response rate immediately prior to the launch of the U.S. Census Bureau’s door-to-door enumeration, which has historically proven to be deeply flawed and unreliable in New York City. The census determines the equitable distribution of $1.5 trillion in federal funds annually for education, healthcare, housing, transportation, infrastructure, and more, in addition to determining the number of seats each state is allotted in the House of Representatives, as well as the shape and size of local and state legislative districts. 

#GetCounted Census Week of Action Public Events for Thursday, July 30:

10:00 AM: In Flatbush/ East Flatbush: SUNY Downstate and NYS Senator Zellnor Y. Myrie’s In-Person Census Event 

  • What: NYC Census 2020 Field Director Kathleen Daniel will join NYS Senator Zellnor Y. Myrie, SUNY Downstate, and Central Brooklyn Elected Officials for a census completion assistance event. New Yorkers who complete the census at the event will be eligible for a free mask and food bag while supplies last. NYS Senator Zellnor Myrie and Field Director Kathleen Daniel will hold a press gaggle at 10:00 am Eastern.

  • Who:
    • NYS Senator Zellnor Y. Myrie
    • Field Director Kathleen Daniel
  • Location: 450 Clarkson Avenue between New York Avenue and East 37th Street 
  • Contact: Sona Rai, srai@census.nyc.gov, (585) 530 – 7484 

5:00 - 7:00 PM: Jackson Heights: Census Outreach and Census Form Assistance in Diversity Plaza 

What: Census outreach and census form assistance in Diversity Plaza; interviews are available 
Who:

  • Deputy Director Amit Bagga, NYC Census 2020
  • Adhikaar

Location: 37th Road between 73rd and 74th Street, Queens 
Contact: Amit Bagga, abagga@census.nyc.gov, (347) 601-7945

ALL DAY: “Friends and Family” Day: Over 150 volunteers have committed to call or text 10 family members or friends to remind them to complete the census.

Additional events across the five boroughs will be advised for July 31 - August 2 in the near future.

About NYC Census 2020 

NYC Census 2020 is a first-of-its-kind organizing initiative established by Mayor de Blasio in January 2019 to ensure a complete and accurate count of all New Yorkers in the 2020 Census. The $40 million program is built on four pillars: (1) a $19 million community-based awards program, The New York City Complete Count Fund, empowering 157 community-based organizations to engage historically undercounted communities around the 2020 Census; (2) an in-house "Get Out the Count" field campaign supported by the smart use of cutting-edge data and organizing technology, and a volunteer organizing program to promote a complete count in each of the city's 245 neighborhoods; (3) an innovative, multilingual, tailored messaging and marketing campaign, including a $3 million commitment to investing in community and ethnic media to reach every New York City community; as well as (4) an in-depth Agency and Partnerships engagement plan that seeks to leverage the power of the City's 350,000-strong workforce and the city's major institutions, including libraries, hospitals, faith-based communities, cultural institutions, higher educational institutions, and more, to communicate with New Yorkers about the critical importance of census participation. Through close partnerships with trusted leaders and organizations across the five boroughs, this unprecedented campaign represents the largest municipal investment in census organizing nationwide and will build an enduring structure that empowers New Yorkers to remain civically engaged.