Stand Up and Be Counted

The US Census, taken every ten years, is what the Federal government uses to determine how many Congressional Representatives a state is alloted and how much money communities get in federal funding.

Unfortunately, The Detroit Free Press reports, Detroit will see lower figures in 2010's count:

...Metro Detroit stands to lose more than $100 million in annual federal funding because the population has dropped a projected 2% since the last census count in 2000, compared with an estimated 7.2% increase nationwide, according to recent data from the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments. That's a loss of nearly 72,000 residents.

Also, Detroiters are historically unable or refuse to participate in the Census:

Only 62% of Detroiters mailed back census forms in 2000, compared with 71% in the state, according to the U.S. Census. With the state's highest foreclosure rate, Detroit will be undercounted without an aggressive campaign, city officials said.

Every single Detroiter will need to be counted if the city is to receive federal funding for programs and facilities our kids need to succeed. The City is encouraging residents to take part through ads and community organizers - Detroit parents to to do our part by making sure our families are counted in Washington.