RI Secretary Of State Underscores The Importance Of 2020 Census

PROVIDENCE, RI — Rhode Island Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea held a free training session Thursday for more than 60 organizers ahead of the kickoff to the 2020 census. The event featured workshops for both groups and individuals, discussing outreach and education efforts in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut.

"The 2020 Census will shape the future of our community and define our voice in Congress," Gorbea said. "Even a one percent undercount here in Rhode Island could cost the state millions in federal funding for things like schools, roads and public safety. Simply put, we all depend on a complete and accurate census count."

The free training underscored the importance of taking part in the upcoming census, and how the process works, as well as explained the operations of the Census Bureau and offered advice for canvassing and other field efforts. The effort was a collaboration between Gorbea's Office, The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Educational Fund, The Rhode Island Complete Count Committee, The Massachusetts Statewide Complete Count Committee, The Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition and Connecticut Counts 2020.

Juan Rosa, the NALEO Educational Fund's northeast director, said his organization has been working hard to offer technical assistance training organization and advocates across the region and country in recent months.

"The stakes are too high for our community to fail, which is why we are doing our part to ensure we can all work together so that millions of Latinos are not left uncounted in Census 2020," Rosa said.

The first 2020 census invitations will arrive at homes across the country starting next week.