From: Biniam Tekle (biniamt@dehai.org)
Date: Mon Mar 08 2010 - 14:48:39 EST
"On Sunday, March 14, interpreters for Eritrea and Ethiopia will be
available from 2 to 4 p.m., Interpreters from Sudan and Liberia will be
available from 4 to 6 p.m"
http://www.dglobe.com/event/article/id/33619/group/News/
Every voice counts in Minn.
WORTHINGTON — There are many ways in life to make your voice heard, but one
very easy way to make yourself count is by participating in the U.S. Census.
By: Justine Wettschreck, Worthington Daily Globe
WORTHINGTON — There are many ways in life to make your voice heard, but one
very easy way to make yourself count is by participating in the U.S. Census.
“The state of Minnesota has dedicated a lot of staff, time and money to the
promotion of the 2010 census on a state level,” said Brad Chapulis,
Worthington’s director of community and economic development.
Census forms should be arriving in mailboxes shortly, and in some areas
already have. Residents are encouraged to fill out the forms as soon as
possible and mail them out. If the form is not returned, a second form or a
visit from a census-taker will follow.
The questions are relatively simple — no long forms this time around. The
census asks for the number of people living in a residence, their names,
ages, sex and race. It does not ask for legal status, bank account
information or social security numbers.
The information gathered is, by law, kept private.
“Regarding the status of legalization in the country, there is a huge
misnomer going around that the census will share information with
(immigration services) and that is not correct,” Chapulis stated. “Under the
Constitution and U.S. law, this information is not allowed to be given out.”
“The information is truly confidential and it is a simple form to fill out,”
said Complete Count Committee Chairperson Amanda Walljasper. “But it is so
important for all who live here to do this. It has so much effect on our
city, county and schools.”
The Complete Count Committee was formed in Worthington to help get the word
out about the census and its importance to the community.
“It has far reaching ramifications,” Walljasper explained.
About $400 billion of them.
According to the Census Bureau, the information collected over the next few
weeks will help determine where more than $400 billion in federal funding
goes every year to projects like schools, senior centers, bridges and
hospitals.
The census really means two things,” Chapulis explained. “Power and money.”
The results depict the amount of money that goes to each state, which
trickles down to local government, and also the political representation at
a federal level, Chapulis added.
“The state of Minnesota is fearful it will lose a congressional seat,” he
said.
For those new to the country who may not have an understanding of what the
census does, how to fill out the forms or why the information is gathered,
interpreters will be at the Nobles County Integration Collaborative (NCIC)
on March 14 and March 28 to answer questions and help fill out forms.
On Sunday, March 14, interpreters for Eritrea and Ethiopia will be available
from 2 to 4 p.m., Interpreters from Sudan and Liberia will be available from
4 to 6 p.m.
On Sunday, March 28, Spanish-speaking interpreters will be at the NCIC from
2 to 4 p.m., and for Karen from 4 to 6 p.m.
For more information about the U.S. Census, go online at www.2010.census.govor
www.mn2010census.org
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