Florida International University

Urban League organizers are hoping that their fourth and last “March to the Mailbox” will increase the response rate in Liberty City to the 2010 U.S. Census.
The event is scheduled for Saturday, May 1 at the Urban League of Greater Miami’s Arthur McDuffie Family Enrichment Center, 8400 NW 25th Ave. in Miami.

March to the Mailbox volunteers will go door to door to discuss the importance of the Census and to distribute promotional packages containing caps, T-shirts and other items.

“We all need to come together, but people don’t understand how important this is,” said Barbara Howard, the Urban League’s Census coordinator.

Liberty City’s participation in the Census is traditionally poor, affecting the amount of federal aid received by the city of Miami, and reinforcing the perception in the business community that the area is a poor investment.

The response rate has increased about 5 percent since the 2000 Census, but widespread apathy means that Liberty City is still struggling to push the 40 percent of its population that has not participated to fill out the Census form and mail it.

This was particularly evident when only about 20 volunteers participated in each of the first three March to the Mailbox events, rather than the hoped-for 200. Most of the volunteers who did come were members of Howard's extended family.

For information about March to the Mailbox or the Census, contact Howard at 786-506-5429.

SLond006@Fiu.edu