Successful Census for OCA-GLA & APABA

LOS ANGELES – OCA-Greater Los Angeles (OCA-GLA) and the Asian Pacific American Bar Association (APABA) successfully outreached to approximately 900 community members about the Census and the importance of being counted.   OCA-GLA and APABA also obtained 205 commitment forms from individuals who pledged to fill out their Census forms or, if they had already done so, to remind 5 other people to fill their forms.
The Census count, which occurs every 10 years as required by the U.S. Constitution, is probably the single most important data source for the country.  The Census data determine how public funds are allocated for services like schools, hospitals, emergency services, police and fire fighters.  The Census is also used for reapportionment of Congressional seats and redistricting of both state and federal electoral districts. In 2000, close to 180,000 individuals were undercounted in Los Angeles, which caused the county to lose over $635 million dollars in public funds. Studies have shown that the neighborhoods with the highest undercount rates tend to be poor and predominantly minority.
“OCA-GLA’s theme for 2010 is ‘Making Our Community Count’. We, along with APABA, want to prevent the undercount that occurred in 2000 from happening again, not just for the Asian Pacific American community, but for all of Los Angeles. Getting everyone counted will ensure that more of our tax money returns here to serve our communities,” stated Bryant Yang, President of OCA-GLA.
To combat the historic undercount in Los Angeles, especially among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, OCA-GLA and APABA organized “Dim Sum Census.” Volunteers tabled in front of Empress Pavilion, a well known restaurant in Los Angeles Chinatown, on March 27and 28 from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM. OCA-GLA and APABA members talked to Empress Pavilion patrons about the Census, handed out Census materials, and answered questions on how to properly fill out the Census forms. Trained Census workers were also present; the event was designated an Authorized Assistance Center. Free Census paraphernalia and gift certificates to Empress Pavilions were handed out to encourage participation.
“Dim Sum Census was extremely successful. APABA and OCA-GLA organized the event to target monolingual, first-generation Asian Pacific Americans. We believe our member volunteers who were bilingual and culturally sensitive were effective in helping people fill out their forms and in raising awareness about the Census among community members that are difficult to reach,” said Shirley Lee, APABA Board member.