SAGINAW, MI — As the U.S. Census 2020 Count nears, officials with the Great Lakes Bay Hispanic Leadership Institute are urging all Latinos living in Saginaw County to participate and are seeking to lessen any anxieties they may have about the questionnaire.

Participation is critical because Census results help determine how billions of dollars in federal funding flow into states and communities each year and determine how many seats in Congress each state gets, according to 2020census.gov.

The GLBHLI, a nonprofit organization that “provides a forum for Hispanics to develop leadership skills, network, and collaborate with individuals from all walks of life,” has partnered with the Saginaw Community Foundation to connect with hard-to-count Latino populations in Saginaw County, according to a GLBHLI news release.

“Due to confusion, distrust, and fears over racism and immigration status, many Latinos are expected to be left out of the 2020 Census. It is up to the community partner organizations to get the word out that Latinos do not have to be afraid to fill out the Census questionnaire,” the release states. "The 2020 Census will not include a citizenship question. Moreover, all answers are confidential. By law, the Census Bureau cannot release any identifiable information about any person, their home or their business."

Executive Director Monica B. Reyes said the Institute received a $9,400 grant to be used for hosting informational Census sessions, handouts, pamphlets, supplies, Census demonstrations, public service announcements directed to the Hispanic/Latino community, guest speakers and other activities related to the effort.

“We only have about six months for the big push to make sure everyone is counted and we have to rally and do everything we can to assure our community is counted,” Reyes said in an email to MLive/The Saginaw News. “We are pleased to say that we are also partnering with several other organizations including the MidWestTejano.com Radio station, TCT Entertainment, MI Latino Banner, LLEAD of Saginaw, Mexican American Council, and other Hispanic/Latino organizations in the community to get the word out.”

Cresencio Hernandez, GLBHLI board chairman, said the organization is grateful to the Saginaw Community Foundation for grant approval.

“The 2020 Census will affect every person in the county. It is critical that we do everything to reach out to our Latino Community who are often undercounted,” Hernandez said in a statement.

Leona Flores, GLBHLI board treasurer, added in a statement, “If Latinos are undercounted for this Census count, it means less representation in Congress and less money per year. Michigan stands to lose an estimated $1,800 per person per year in federal support. That is equal to $18,000 in federal funding for our region, over the ten-year period, for each person that doesn’t complete the Census. This is why outreach is so important, we need to spread the word.”

The Great Lakes Bay Regional Census Hub, which is working to encourage participation in the 2020 Census within communities that are at significant risk of being undercounted, is a collaborative effort among community foundations in Saginaw, Bay City, Midland and Mount Pleasant.

Go to www.glbhispanicleadership.org or find CENSUS 2020 - Hispanic/Latino Count of Great Lakes Bay Region-Michigan on Facebook to learn more.

Learn more about the U.S. Census and why it’s important here.