You’re never too young to get involved and support the Census! Meet Madeline and Elise Holland, daughters of Jody Holland, Executive Director of Lafayette Oxford Foundation for Tomorrow (LOFT). To help get the word out about the Census in their neighborhood, they passed out fliers, over 500 fliers this week! Wow! Thank you so much, girls, for spreading the word. Your efforts make a difference!

Did you know…

• As of 4/27/20, less than half (41.0%) of households in Lafayette County have completed their Census forms. Have you completed yours? (Complete it here.)
• In response to individual efforts like Madeline & Elise’s and Janice Carr‘s, that number has since jumped 4.5%, to 45.5%! Way to go, team!
• For every child not counted in the Census, Mississippi stands to lose an average of $2780! That adds up to a lot of money for our community.

This week, through our blog, we are highlighting local Census efforts. Have you completed your US Census yet?

Today, we are featuring Janice Carr, Executive Director of the Gordon Community and Cultural Center, GCCC, in Abbeville, MS. After hearing that response rates in Lafayette County were lagging behind other counties and the state average, Janice jumped into action. She recruited help from three of her students and did a drive-by campaign through local neighborhoods, passing out Census water bottles in front yards with reminders and info on the Census. Her team canvassed over 200 households.

As many of us find ourselves spending more time in our neighborhoods, it is a great opportunity to talk with our neighbors about the Census and remind them to take time to complete it. Spread the word within your community, and help us support our Lafayette-Oxford-University community with accurate counts and representation.

Learn more about Janice and her ongoing work with GCCC through our Community Chat interview with her here.

Did you know…

• U.S. Census data affects federal funding for our community for 10 years – funding for roads, hospitals, day cares, and more!
• U.S. Census data affects congressional representation in the US House of Representatives.
• It takes less than five minutes to complete.
• You can complete the form online, by phone, or by mail.
• There are currently over 700 open Census jobs in the LOU community!