Dear BHA Community - a lot has happened in the last 48 hours and I imagine that will continue for the foreseeable future. I am sure your in-boxes are jam packed with COVID-19 updates from all manner of friends, businesses, organizations, schools etc., so I'll keep this short. One of the things that many of us prize about our neighborhood is its "small town in the big city" feel - how often we run into friends and neighbors on the street and in the shops. While it's easy to feel overwhelmed by all the uncertainty we are facing, one small thing we can do is remember to keep being kind to those same neighbors and members of our community, and to take an extra minute to think about the most vulnerable among us. Check in on the seniors in your building or on your street and make sure they have what they need. Continue to support our small local businesses when you can. As we know the negative economic impact of this situation is going to be serious and widespread. Finally, although this may not seem directly connected to the Coronavirus outbreak, I want to remind everyone that the 2020 Census has begun, and we need all of Brooklyn to get counted!
The more of us who fill out the census, the more money we get for schools, housing, roads, bridges, hospitals, senior centers, and more. This is money that will help Brooklyn be strong and prepared for future emergencies in addition to everyday living. The census is only 10 questions, takes about 10 minutes, and will shape NYC's future for the next 10 years. This year, it's easier than ever to complete online or over the phone (844-330-2020). The Brooklyn Community Foundation reports that Brooklyn is the hardest to count county in all of New York State, with over 80% of Brooklynites living in hard-to-count neighborhoods. Brooklyn is also home to nearly half of the 500 census tracts in New York state most at-risk of an undercount. Moreover, in the 2010 Census, 33% of Brooklyn households did not mail back their census forms—the lowest mail return rate in the country among counties that have populations greater than 500,000. Your responses are private, protected by federal law, and will never be shared with anyone, including law enforcement or your landlord.
Stay healthy and get counted! --Lara, BHA Executive Director |