DEARBORN, MI — With the 2020 United States Census coming up soon, the city of Dearborn will be hosting an informational kick-off event on Nov. 20 at 6:20 p.m. in Studio A of the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan Ave. The public is encouraged to attend the free, educational event.

Dearborn Mayor John B. O'Reilly, Jr. will be joined by other city officials and community leaders at the event to highlight the reason for and importance of the Census, and to assure the community about the confidentiality of answers provided in the Census. "By working together with community partners, we can have a successful Census, to make sure we receive federal funding for things like social service programs, education, roads and public safety— aspects that affect the day-to-day lives of all of our residents," O'Reilly said.

Data from the Census is used as the basis for determining the allocation of $800 billion in federal funds, which could potentially be used in Dearborn for enhancement of public safety services, street and infrastructure improvements, health care, education, and redevelopment and economic and community initiatives. To receive the most funding for these programs, it is crucial that every member of the Dearborn community be counted in the 2020 Census. Dearborn is estimated to generate $1,800 in federal funding for every resident counted, which can be filtered back into the community for beneficial programs and initiatives for the community.

By law, Census responses are confidential. It is a criminal offense for anyone in the Census Bureau to publicly release responses that could identify you or your household, or share your answers with any other government agency. It is also everyone's civic duty to participate, and the Census is part of the U.S. Constitution. Census Day is April 1, 2020.

"In Dearborn, we believe everyone counts," O'Reilly said. "The best way to put that into practice is to ensure that everyone in Dearborn responds to the nine questions in the 2020 Census.

"There is so much at stake for Dearborn, and it is important that people feel comfortable participating in the 2020 Census. If our residents see community activists, their trusted neighbors, teachers, co-workers and religious leaders on board with the process, we can set the foundation for a robust count," he said.

"We believe that we have at least 100,000 residents, and we want that reflective in the 2020 Census. We're looking forward to broad support, and with that, we will meet our goal,"O'Reilly said.