CountMeInWV Coalition: Jennifer Wells, 304.617.9591
WV Statewide Census Coalition Launches Awareness Campaign on Monday
Charleston, WV – The 2020 United States Census is just around the corner, and a statewide coalition of community-based, professional, service and advocacy organizations is launching a grassroots campaign to ensure that every West Virginia is counted.
The CountMeInWV Coalition, currently 25+ organizations and growing, is hosting a press event to officially launch its outreach, education and awareness campaign at 11:00AM on Monday, October 7 at Covenant House in Charleston.
The CountMeInWV Coalition was formed to reach West Virginia’s hardest-to-count populations: rural, seniors, communities of color, college students and families with children under five years old. Data from the US Census determines the allocation of over $6 billion of federal investment in West Virginia every year, and getting a complete and accurate count of the population is vital to ensure these funds go to those who need them.
The event will highlight the coalition’s message that the 2020 Census is easy, safe and vitally important to West Virginians. A number of community leaders and coalition partners including West Virginia Healthy Kids and Families Coalition, KidsCount, WV State NAACP, Covenant House, US Census Bureau, WVSU Social Work Department, and others are slated to speak to the importance of the 2020 Census.
“This Coalition is vital because it’s going to take all of us to make sure West Virginia counts in the 2020 Census,” explained Jennifer Wells, Executive Director of West Virginia Healthy Kids and Families Coalition. “With partners and friends who have been on the ground across the state for years, we will center communities and community leaders in getting the count out so they can receive the resources we all need to grow.”
The Coalition wants to spread the word that taking the 2020 Census is Easy, Safe, and Important.
Easy: This Census will consist of 10 questions, and take an average of 10 minutes to complete.
Safe: The information gathered is protected by federal law, and information on specific individuals or households cannot be made available to other agencies or authorities.
Important: West Virginia receives $2,755 in federal funding per capita based on Census information. In addition to this funding which provides healthcare, education, food, and roads for the citizens, our Congressional Districts and number of Representatives rely on the data collected this year.
“An accurate Census count, which guides billions of dollars in federal funds into our communities each year, must be a top priority,” said Kelly Allen, Director of Policy Engagement with the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy. “This coalition was formed out of the imperative need to count every West Virginian, and we hope that others will join us and that state policymakers will see the importance in funding Census outreach efforts. “
