'2020 Census Participation Essential' Latimer Declares

County Executive George Latimer kicked off a Nonprofit Westchester-sponsored 2020 US Census seminar declaring that participation in the census is essential if Westchester County is going to get its fair share of the more than $850 billion that the federal government will allocate in more than 320 vital programs. Latimer also pointed out the critical role that nonprofit organizations play in helping ensure that everyone counts.

More than 80 nonprofit leaders and other community partners attended the event at which Owen Borda, community partnership specialist, NY Regional Census Center, gave a detailed overview of the Census process, explaining that it determines the number of Congressional representatives for each state and that the information is vital to communities. Norma Drummond, Commissioner, Westchester County Dept. of Planning, described the extensive planning the County implements in preparation for the Census and why it matters to Westchester. She mentioned that growth in some communities required creation of new districts and outlined areas, including the City of Mt. Vernon and parts of Yonkers, where participation had been low in the previous survey. Drummond urged residents to “make us count.”

Carola Bracco, executive director, Neighbors Link, and co-chair of the Westchester Complete Count Committee, will partner with community leaders to raise awareness about the Census and increase participation. Representing Nonprofit Westchester were Jan Fisher, interim director, and Terry Kirchner, executive director, Westchester Library System, who hosted the seminar and also is president of Nonprofit Westchester.

Nonprofit Westchester (NPW) is Westchester’s only membership organization solely dedicated to advancing the needs and interests of the county's nonprofit sector. Representing 165 nonprofit organizations, NPW provides professional development, community education, agency consultation, networking and advocacy that strengthen all of Westchester and provides opportunities for all people to thrive in just and caring communities. For more information, visit www.npwestchester.org.