SEQ 2020 Census Coalition, SEQ Fights COVID and Partners Hosts Day of Action

Southeast Queens (SEQ) 2020 Census Coalition and Southeast Queens (SEQ) Fights COVID, alongside local partners will host a Day Of Action at Springfield Park in Southeast Queens on June 1, 2020 from 2PM-4PM. The census outreach event will focus on engaging residents of Southeast Queens to fill out the Census and supply the community with face coverings, sanitizing supplies and Census giveaways, made available to residents for free. The Day of Action is supported by District Attorney Melinda Katz, the Association for a Better New York (ABNY), U.S. Census Bureau, NYC Census 2020, LIFE Camp, and Pow(her)ful.

The 2020 Census has been underway since March 12th of this year and over 11 weeks in, 60% of households in the Country have responded to the Census. New York City is 10 percentage points behind at 50%. However, according to the US Census Bureau self response rate map, parts of Southeast Queens like Springfield Gardens South and Rosedale remain in the lowest of self-response rates across the City hovering between 39% to 36% respectively.

The SEQ 2020 Census Coalition was formed to coordinate organizations throughout Southeast Queens to raise awareness and perform targeted Census outreach, informing community residents of the importance of filling out the Census. Without a sufficient count, communities of color like Southeast Queens could lose billions of dollars in federal funding disproportionately which directly affect access to programs like affordable housing, public education, after-school programs and the improvement of  road and building infrastructures. 

The Coalition is comprised of  30 civic and community based organizations along with elected officials: Congressman Gregory Meeks, NYS Senators Leroy Comrie, James Sanders Jr., NYS Assembly Members Vivian Cook, Alicia Hydman, Clyde Vanel, NYC Councilmembers, Adrienne Adams, Donovan Richards and I. Daneek Miller. 

With the onset of the global pandemic COVID-19, the need for participation in the 2020 Census is even more evident. Census data and the funding derived from the decennial Census data supports programs and resources that are necessary for COVID-19 recovery efforts.

One such resource, SEQ Fights COVID, was formed as a mutual aid network to provide resources to members of the Southeast Queens community that have been impacted by this unprecedented challenge. Through the online portal, residents can connect to a number of resources, including food pantries, COVID-19 testing sites, rent relief, immigration services and more. This effort also provides a space to connect volunteers and donors to the programs and individuals who are in immediate need. SEQ Fights COVID is a collaboration by The New York City Black Women’s Political Club, AMAS Movement, BlaQue Resource Network, SEQ Wellness Ambassador Initiative and Showing Hearts Foundation.

“With COVID-19 upending life throughout New York City, this year’s decennial Census count has gotten off to a difficult start.” said Melva Miller, Executive Vice President at the Association for a Better New York leading the Census effort. “As we face unprecedented challenges coping with this global pandemic, the Census count continues and communities of color are struggling to keep pace. Communities like Southeast Queens have the highest numbers of essential workers but traditionally have the lowest counts in the Census, meaning running the risk of being undercounted, underfunded and under-resourced. Full participation in the 2020 Census will ensure resources to fight future crises and support communities for the next decade.”

“Ensuring an accurate count is an absolute must! For far too long our communities have been under-counted resulting in a loss of resources and political power. As Founder of the New York City Black Women’s Political Club, I am excited to work with our members in Queens and other key stakeholders in raising awareness in grassroots fashion. The SEQ 2020 Census Coalition is leading the charge intentionally in spite of the current climate. I look forward to our continued work together, guaranteeing Southeast Queens is properly counted in the 2020 census.” said Nantasha Williams, Co-Founder of SEQ Fights COVID.

“It’s important that our neighborhoods are given the resources needed to reduce crime and provide young people with alternatives to violence. That can only happen if everyone is counted,” said Melinda Katz, Queens County District Attorney. “I would like to encourage every Queens resident to complete the 2020 Census, so Queens can receive the necessary resources to keep our communities safe.”

“Supporting the SEQ Census Coalition is not optional for me, it is my mandatory civic duty” said Dr. Stacie N.C. Grant, Founder of Destiny Designers University. “Making sure EVERYONE is being counted will be the difference in our community barely surviving post-COVID-19 vs. thriving. These 10 questions will affect the next 10 years of resources, services, and access to funding in our community, so we must take 10 minutes to complete www.my2020Census.gov.”

“When I heard what Melva Miller and the SEQ 2020 Census Coalition were doing, I just had to have PowerHerful Apparel involved,” said David Huie, President of PowerHerful Apparel. “Yes, we are all about Women Empowerment but we are also about helping our community to be and do better!” 

“We cannot be outraged about the atrocities we see across the nation and not take five minutes to fill out the Census so that we can get the resources and political representation we need to help our families stay alive, be healthy, to get the proper nourishment to beat viruses.” said Erica Ford, CEO of LIFE Camp Inc. “It is important to not only wear PPE equipment and stay in the realm of social distancing, it is important to be an active participant in your life by filling out the Census, voting, and using your voice to hold elected officials, the police department ,and all the other systems that represent you, accountable. Your voice is valuable!”

SEQ 2020 Census Coalition Members

A Better Jamaica, Baisley Houses Tenants Association, Destiny Designers University, Faith In New York, Global Black Women’s Community Collective, Greater Queens Chapter of The Links, Inc., Jack & Jill of America, Inc., Jamaica YMCA, Jamaica Branch NAACP, LIFE Camp, Inc., Merchants Association of Rosedale, Laurelton, & Springfield Gardens (MARLS), Metropolitan Black Bar Association, National Action Network, National Association for University Women, NYC Black Women’s Political Club (Queens Committee), Ocean Bay Community Development Corporation, One Hundred Black Men Inc. of New York, Queens Baptist Church, Inc., Rochdale Village, Inc., South East Queens Upfront, The Source Consulting Group, LLC., Zeta Zeta Lambda Chapter Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Pi Phi Omega Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Epsilon Pi Omega Chapter Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Queens Alumni Chapter Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Nu Omicron Chapter Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Queens Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Gamma Rho Sigma Chapter, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Phi Zeta Zeta ChapterZeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Delta Beta Zeta Chapter Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Eta Nu Sigma Chapter Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Rho Omega Chapter Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.