“Immigrants feel most comfortable with churches or community groups,” Flores says.
Within the Census Bureau, it also is important to have leaders, researchers and demographers sensitive to minority communities, he adds. On everything from the phrasing of a question to survey instruments, it is important to have diverse viewpoints.
In some cases, community groups already are committing money to the census cause. In the Chicago area, 10 foundations have pledged funds to help increase participation by minority, lowincome, high-rise and rural communities. For every person not counted, Illinois will lose about $12,000, says the Joyce Foundation, one of the participants. Says Joyce president Ellen Alberding: “The census truly has the potential to advance or delay progress.”
© Copyright 2005 by DiverseEducation.com
