The importance of immigrants and other minority groups in the Census 2010 will be the focus at a networking meeting on Thursday, March 19 hosted by the Cross Cultural Action Network. An update on the county's public transportation plan will also be provided. The meeting will be held at the First Baptist Church at 88 Church Street in Pittsfield from Noon to 2.
For Berkshire County and all of Massachusetts, it is critical that our count reflect all of our residents. A significant decrease in population could result in a reduction in congressional representation and federal funding. Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) is taking the lead in planning for Census 2010’s countywide effort. Mark Maloy, Geographic Information Systems coordinator and Census 2010 project manager, will provide an update on Census preparations and what CCAN members and other agencies can do to improve the population count in the Berkshires.
Maloy's presentation will be followed by an update regarding public transportation in the county by Allison Church, Transportation Program Manager at BRPC. She will share results from the recent survey conducted by her agency with a focus on the BRTA's Fixed Route Bus Service, route study data and recommendations for optimizing efficiency of fixed routes. As many immigrants are dependent on public transportation, CCAN is committed to supporting the improvement of this vital community service.
There will be also be opportunities for networking among more than 40 agencies that provide services to multicultural populations throughout the county.
The meeting is open to the public. Immigrants are encouraged to attend and bring questions for the speakers. Light refreshments will be provided. Attendees are asked to enter the church through the side entrance near the Pittsfield Cooperative Bank.
For more information, contact Brooke Mead at the Berkshire Immigrant Center at (413) 445-4881 or Claudine Chavanne (413) 637-0373.
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