2020 Census Kickoff Event Unveils “I Count Because” Community Installation

Jersey City – Mayor Steven M. Fulop, New Jersey Secretary of State Tahesha Way and representatives from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), are asking Jersey City residents to share why they count at a kickoff event to mark one year until the 2020 Census. As we start the countdown toward the 2020 Census, the City will unveil a life-sized chalkboard installation outside of City Hall on Monday, April 1, at 9:30am that asks the community to fill in why they count.

“We need Jersey City to be accurately counted in one year, so today, we’re going to start with celebrating and understanding why our community counts,” said Mayor Fulop. “We need 100 percent participation in the 2020 Census. We estimate that for every resident of Jersey City not counted in the Census, the City will lose out on $15,000 in funding over the next ten years– dollars that the City could use to improve your quality of life.”

The 2020 Census will take place on April 1, 2020. The Census count determines how the federal government distributes $675 billion in funding to states and municipalities each year. Jersey City is currently the second largest city in the State of New Jersey, and an accurate count could determine that it is actually the largest. 

“An accurate count ensures that New Jersey receives the billions of dollars in federal funding it needs to support our communities, schools, transportation, and other vital programs,” saidSecretary Way. “It also determines the number of representatives the Garden State sends to Washington to advocate for our residents.  We want residents to know the census is safe, easy and important.”

The 2020 Census count factors in to crucial funding streams for the City, most directly affecting Public Safety and HHS.  The count will determine how much federal money Jersey City receives for important grants that fund Fire and Emergency Response personnel, the Women Infants and Children (WIC) Program, the Meals on Wheels program, and the Senior Lunch program.

“The Census is an important planning component for the work of the Health and Human Services Department.  An accurate count helps us plan for our newborn children and families seeking support from Women Infant and Children (WIC) and for Supplemental Food Programs to our seniors receiving Meals on Wheels,” said Stacey Flanagan, Jersey City Director of Health and Human Services. â€œSeeing the Census count reflect the population increases over the last 10 years in Jersey City, especially in children under 5 and the aging community, will help increase the current federal funding, therefore allowing us to more efficiently serve our community.”

The U.S. Constitution mandates that every resident be counted every 10 years. The count also determines each state’s number of congressional seats. 

The 2020 Census Media Vendor Day, designed for media outlets interested in providing paid advertising opportunities for the 2020 Census Paid Media, will be held on April 3 in New York City in two sessions. For more information on the Media Vendor Day, please visit: http://2020.wmglobal.com/.

To celebrate the Bayonne’s 150th Anniversary, an exhibit about the Bayonne Girl Scouts is on display at the Bayonne Public Library.

The local Girl Scouts began at Calvary Episcopal Church in 1917 and continue their work in the city after more than 100 years.

On display are Girl Scout items that include uniforms, merit sashes with medals and badges, camping equipment, an array of handbooks, and newspaper articles, to name a few. It depicts the advance of scouting over the years and the wide range of activities for girls and young women. Girl Scouts are known for their volunteer work with service organizations, fund raising, and participation in the popular Cookie Sale each year.

The exhibit is the work of Christine Peters, a Girl Scout troop leader, volunteer and lifetime member. The materials came from her own collection and from legacy Girl Scouts in Bayonne as well as the “Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey Council.” The Council is dedicated to the mentoring of girls and to providing opportunities for community service.

Currently there are over 200 Girl Scouts in Bayonne. Ms. Peters’ daughters, Briel and Stephanie, both active in scouting, are Gold Award Recipients, the highest recognition by the Girl Scouts.

If you would like to join the Bayonne Girl Scouts as a member or as an adult volunteer, contact Jean Styles at 201-858-2296.

The event includes a reflection session on Station Eleven plus a
family yoga workshop.

The Hudson County Community College (HCCC) Art of Yoga “Zen Survival Session” combines a reflection on the New York Times best-selling book, Station Eleven, with an emotional- and physical-survival, family yoga workshop that is inspired by the book. Station Eleven was selected for Jersey City’s citywide participation in the 2019 “Big Read,” an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

                        This event is free and open to the entire community. A limited number of yoga mats will be available; bringing one’s own mat is strongly recommended.

The HCCC Department of Cultural Affairs is the event host.

                        The Educational Arts Team will lead the reflection on Station Eleven. The group helps urban youth improve their literacy, increase their self-worth, discover their individuality, and heighten their academic achievement by providing cultural, social and recreational experiences.

                        Jamie Wilson Murry of Mindful Play Yoga will conduct the family yoga workshop. Mindful Play Yoga is committed to inspiring children ages 3 -15 and families to be curious lifelong learners.

Thursday, March 21, 12 to 2 p.m.

HCCC Dineen Hull Gallery, 71 Sip Avenue – Sixth Floor, Jersey City, NJ.

Town Crier, High School Honors Choir,

Town Crier and Bee’s Knees to Perform

Mayor Jimmy Davis announced that the City of Bayonne will hold a ceremony in March to mark its 150^th anniversary.  The event will take place on Saturday, March 9, at 2:00 p.m., in the gallery on the second floor of the Bayonne Public Library, which is located at 31^st Street and Avenue C.  Mayor Davis will serve as master of ceremonies and will offer remarks about the City of Bayonne at 150.  Mayor Davis said, “Bayonne can take great pride in our residents’ contributions to the world since 1869.  We look forward to observing our 150^th anniversary on March 9, and celebrating at other events in the coming months.”