You Count!
City of Norfolk Hosts Pep Rally to Kick Off 2020 Census
NORFOLK, VA – 32,000: the number of meals served daily by Norfolk Public Schools. 1400: the number of children under the age of five enrolled in Head Start programs in Norfolk. 14.6%: the number of uninsured residents in Norfolk.
Behind each of these statistics is a person. And for that reason, the City of Norfolk kicks off the 2020 census with a pep rally at Waterside District on Wednesday, January 29 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. because every person counts!
Now more than ever, residents need to participate in the census. Not only do congressional jurisdictions depend on an accurate count, but so does billions of federal dollars.
For every person who completes the census, the city receives roughly $2,020 per year. Over ten years, or the lifespan of each census, that’s $20,200 per resident to help fund much needed programs and services in the city.
Census data determines the distribution of over $900 billion across 325 federal spending programs, which goes to local communities for public safety and emergency preparedness, Medicaid and WIC funding, school meal and early childhood programs, infrastructure and more.
In Norfolk, the school system serves 32,000 meals to students each day and all Norfolk Public School students can receive breakfast at no charge. Norfolk has five Head Start programs providing comprehensive preschool education to more than 1400 children under the age of five. The city also has as the highest level of uninsured residents in Hampton Roads with many relying on Medicaid and other assistance programs.
To rally the community, the city and partners will host a fun-filled event at Waterside District to include the NSU Spartan Legion, Teens With a Purpose, 103 Jamz, mascots and more. Participants have an opportunity to win a family four pack to the Admirals, tickets to the North American Festival of Laughs and tickets to see Martin Lawrence.
Guest speakers include Norfolk’s Complete Count Committee Co-Chairs Councilman Thomas Smigiel and Councilwoman Angelia Graves, Ruth Jones Nichols from the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia, Veliana Bueno-Bucknell from the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Antonio Dowe of The Good Show Group, Fleet Master Chief Richard P. O’Rawe and Navy Ombudsman Advisory Committee Chairperson Danni Campbell.
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