NAACP Units in 11 states and six metropolitan areas are gearing up to launch the 2010 “Yes We Count” campaign on Feb. 12, a national grassroots movement designed to spread the word about the importance of the 2010 Census and to motivate residents in their communities to complete and return their 2010 Census questionnaire.

The “Yes We Count” Campaign is designed to reach traditionally undercounted populations by stressing the importance of an accurate census count, including how data are collected and used.  NAACP volunteers will conduct door-to-door canvassing preparing residents for the arrival of the Census form and will follow-up to remind residents to return their forms. 

In addition, to maximize impact, the NAACP will utilize an automated texting and phone banking program to alert households that Census canvassers will be visiting their homes if they have not returned their form.

“The NAACP has a vested interest in ensuring that hard to count populations are educated about and ultimately counted during the 2010 Census.  We know federal and local governments use Census information to distribute over $400 billion dollars every year  or $4 trillion over a ten year period  in much needed aid to local communities.  It is our mission to ensure that traditionally under-counted communities have access to the necessary funds, services, political representation, public infrastructure and private investment impacted by the census count,” stated NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous.

“Our communities cannot afford to be undercounted in 2010.  Our NAACP units are uniquely poised to provide education and motivation around Census participation” stated Kirk Clay, NAACP Director of Civic Engagement. NAACP units maintain ongoing, trusting relationships with the people they serve, particularly hard to count populations.

therefore our units are powerful vehicles for encouraging their communities to return the Census questionnaire or respond to Census counters, concluded Clay.