Unless Congress acts swiftly, all efforts to accurately count the American population for the Census 2020 will end September 30. Census data is used to determine voting district representation and to allot federal funding, so getting an accurate count will impact our neighborhoods for the next decade. Find out more about the Census and our efforts to stop utility shutoffs in this week's Activist Tool-kit. 

Here are the top 3 actions you can take this week:

1. Make sure you get counted in the Census! Fill out your form online here or call the Census Bureau at 844-330-2020 if you have any issues. 
   
   
2. Ask your friends and family if they've responded to the Census. It's so important our communities get counted accurately - because we need representation and federal funding!
   
   
3. Join (virtually) our Energy Affordability Action Team this Thursday, August 13 from 5:00-6:30 PM! We are discussing our next tactics to pressure Gov. DeWine to issue a moratorium to stop utility shutoffs. There's still time to call DeWine and leave your message at 614-466-3555!

What's happening this week:

The Census is still happening! Make sure you are counted!

The 2020 Census is happening now, but last week's news that the Census would be ending its count one month early is alarming for many reasons. 

National Public Radio reports: 

"These last-minute changes to the constitutionally mandated count of every person living in the U.S. threaten the accuracy of population numbers used to determine the distribution of political representation and federal funding for the next decade.

With roughly 4 out of 10 households nationwide yet to be counted, and already delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, the bureau now has less than two months left to try to reach people of color, immigrants, renters, rural residents and other members of historically undercounted groups who are not likely to fill out a census form on their own."

You can respond online, by phone, or by mail. You may not be able to count on a visit to your door to be counted in the 2020 Census. 

Click here to fill out your Census online.

Call the Census Bureau at: 844-330-2020

Send in your Census form by mail using the self-addressed envelope provided with your form. You would have received the form in the mail. 

From the Census Bureau's FAQ: "The Census Bureau is required by law to protect your information. The Census Bureau is not permitted to publicly release your responses in a way that could identify you or your household."

CUFA's Energy Affordability Action Team asks you to call Gov. DeWine 

Governor DeWine must act now to put Ohioans struggling to keep up with bills first, not the interests of utility shareholders. He issued a moratorium to stop utility shutoffs at the start of the pandemic, but let it expire. Let's send him a message: the pandemic isn't over, and we need to keep our utilities on!

Call Governor DeWine at 614-466-3555 or 614-644-4357 to tell him: stop utility shutoffs now. You can use this short script below to make your call: 

"Hi, I'm [your name] from [your City]. I'm calling with Communities United For Action to deliver a message to Governor DeWine: we need him to stop utility shutoffs now until the pandemic is over and people have the help they need to catch up on utilities. We need the Governor to put the health and safety of Ohioans before the profits of utility companies."

Don't forget to tell your story on the call, especially if you or your loved ones are struggling to keep up bills.

***If the voicemails are full, try again! They open up periodically.***

Next Energy Affordability Action Team Meeting
When: Thursday, August 13 from 5:00-6:00 PM
Where: Zoom - RSVP here for instructions to join

CUFA's Popular Education Series continues

Communities United For Action And People's Action will present a Popular Education series of virtual events to explore important topics as we organize for racial, social and economic justice July 20 - August 31. The events will be on Zoom and broadcast on Facebook Live. Each event is from 6:30-8:30 PM (EDT), every other Monday.

Find out more about the entire series here, download flyers to invite friends and family, and get registered to join us on Zoom for each session you'd like to attend. 

Watch: Racial Capitalism with Nigel Tann of People's Action.

Watch Long-term Agenda: Regenerative Economy with Ben Ishibashi and Kaniela Ing of People's Action.

Register for August 17: Homes Guarantee with John Washington from People's Action.

Register for August 31: Healthcare For All with Connie Hunyh of People's Action.

Join CUFA on social media: 

Like us on Facebook and invite friends to like our page.

Follow us on Twitter.

Be sure to join our Facebook group.