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City prepares outreach for 2010 Census
By Holly Cook
The 2000 Census revealed that 12 percent of Littleton’s population was foreign-born.
That percentage may be higher next year when the federal government conducts the 2010 census.
The upcoming 2010 Census — with its emphasis on multiculturalism and citizens of all demographics — is being promoted with the tag line, “It’s In Our Hands,” to promote the upcoming count of every American resident.
The number of citizens who reside in Littleton and the level of diversity is more than a matter of curiosity. The city’s official population can affect everything from the funding the city receives from the federal government to its representation in Congress and the Colorado General Assembly.
The information the census collects also helps determine how more than $400 billion dollars of federal funding each year is spent on infrastructure and services like hospitals, job training, schools, senior centers, public works projects and emergency services.
For those reasons, the National League of Cities is sending resources to Littleton to assist the city government and the Littleton Immigrant Resources Center in addressing immigrant challenges in the community.
The “CITYzenship Community Initiative” will help the city define a strategy to increase immigrant outreach in advance of Census 2010.
“(National League of Cities) is preparing to have two or three people from Washington train us to get people to feel more secure about giving their information,” said Alejandra Harguth, Littleton Immigrant Resources Center coordinator.
Often times there are people who are afraid to advertise their status, she said.
The hope is that with enough outreach people will understand the importance of the census and that their information is strictly confidential.
“Nobody can get that information except for the Census Bureau,” she said.
The Littleton Immigrant Resources Center will host a series of events to let people know they’re here to help.
“We want everyone to be comfortable and not threatened by giving out that type of information,” Harguth said.
“The biggest point we want to stress is that every person counts and this is a program to empower people.”
Residents themselves have used census data to support community initiatives involving environmental legislation, quality-of-life issues and consumer advocacy.
The U.S. census has been conducted every 10 years since 1790 as required by the Constitution. The previous one was completed in 2000.
Unlike previous years, the 2010 Census will use only a short-form asking basic questions, such as name, gender, age, date of birth, race, ethnicity and relationship, and housing status.
In the past, some citizens have received a longer form, which prompted privacy concerns from those asked to provide more detailed personal information.
In March of 2010, Census forms will be delivered to every residence in the United States and Puerto Rico. Residents are expected to answer the 10 short questions and then mail the form back in the postage-paid envelope provided by April.
Between April and July, census workers will visit households that did not return forms.
That percentage may be higher next year when the federal government conducts the 2010 census.
The upcoming 2010 Census — with its emphasis on multiculturalism and citizens of all demographics — is being promoted with the tag line, “It’s In Our Hands,” to promote the upcoming count of every American resident.
The number of citizens who reside in Littleton and the level of diversity is more than a matter of curiosity. The city’s official population can affect everything from the funding the city receives from the federal government to its representation in Congress and the Colorado General Assembly.
The information the census collects also helps determine how more than $400 billion dollars of federal funding each year is spent on infrastructure and services like hospitals, job training, schools, senior centers, public works projects and emergency services.
For those reasons, the National League of Cities is sending resources to Littleton to assist the city government and the Littleton Immigrant Resources Center in addressing immigrant challenges in the community.
The “CITYzenship Community Initiative” will help the city define a strategy to increase immigrant outreach in advance of Census 2010.
“(National League of Cities) is preparing to have two or three people from Washington train us to get people to feel more secure about giving their information,” said Alejandra Harguth, Littleton Immigrant Resources Center coordinator.
Often times there are people who are afraid to advertise their status, she said.
The hope is that with enough outreach people will understand the importance of the census and that their information is strictly confidential.
“Nobody can get that information except for the Census Bureau,” she said.
The Littleton Immigrant Resources Center will host a series of events to let people know they’re here to help.
“We want everyone to be comfortable and not threatened by giving out that type of information,” Harguth said.
“The biggest point we want to stress is that every person counts and this is a program to empower people.”
Residents themselves have used census data to support community initiatives involving environmental legislation, quality-of-life issues and consumer advocacy.
The U.S. census has been conducted every 10 years since 1790 as required by the Constitution. The previous one was completed in 2000.
Unlike previous years, the 2010 Census will use only a short-form asking basic questions, such as name, gender, age, date of birth, race, ethnicity and relationship, and housing status.
In the past, some citizens have received a longer form, which prompted privacy concerns from those asked to provide more detailed personal information.
In March of 2010, Census forms will be delivered to every residence in the United States and Puerto Rico. Residents are expected to answer the 10 short questions and then mail the form back in the postage-paid envelope provided by April.
Between April and July, census workers will visit households that did not return forms.
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