Agencies redirect efforts to increase Rhode Island census results
WOONSOCKET – Several social service agencies and nonprofits in the city are adjusting their strategies for motivating residents to complete the 2020 census in the age of social distancing – with some creative flair.
Meg Rego, spokeswoman for NeighborWorks Blackstone River 9alley, said the agencies, as well as the City of Woonsocket, had received a grant from RI Census 2020 to embark on various outreach and civic engagement activities to help residents “feel safe, invested and easily able” to take part in the decennial head-count.
With looming threats to the state’s healthcare infrastructure and economy, 5ego said, it’s more important than ever to participate in the census, which drives federal aid for a raft of causes.
“Given the present calls for social distancing, these agencies are adjusting their initial census outreach strategies to include personalized phone calls, stuffing grab ‘n’ go pantry packs with informational materials, an online feature for K-12 students, and ramping up census-related social media posts.
One of the more innovative features of the new outreach campaign comes from NeighborWorks, which is launching a “virtual engagement effort” it calls “The Census Sessions.” Featuring musicians and storytellers, the artists will livestream census-themed entertainment to Facebook in an effort to promote participation in the population survey.
“'uring this uncertain and potentially lonely time, we at NeighborWorks are excited to launch The Census Sessions,” said 5ego.
The session are “quick, 30-minute opportunities to ‘gather together’ – however that may look these days – enjoy a few songs or a story, all while being reminded of the importance of completing the census” said 5ego.
The Census Sessions are scheduled
for 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. every Wednesday in April, with storytellers in the afternoon and musical acts in the evenings. Storyteller Sessions are geared toward children, while the Musician Sessions are designed for full family appeal.
In addition to NeighborWorks and the city, the Museum of Work and Culture, Thundermist Health Center and Connecting for Children and Families were the recipients of the census grant.
The full schedule will be posted by Friday and shared on the NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley Facebook page, said Rego, who urges all residents to visit www.2020census.gov to complete the Census.