Equalitech has opened its doors to help people who don’t have internet access complete their census. Every Wednesday in September from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. community members can go computer stations at Equalitech, located at the back of the Goleta Valley Community Center located at 5679 Hollister Avenue and use the internet to fill out their census. Bilingual staff will be present to answer questions.
The 2020 Census deadline to respond is coming up on September 30, 2020. As of September 2, 2020, roughly 25% of Goleta households have not responded to the Census. Not getting a complete count could result in a loss of millions of dollars in State and Federal funding over the next ten years.
Equalitech Executive Director Danny Fitzgibbons said he and his bilingual staff are happy to help an important cause. He said, “Equalitech understands that tech accessibility and literacy is more important than ever as we all try to navigate these turbulent times. The census is yet another disparity revealed by COVID-19 and we just want to do what we can to bridge the divide.”
Equalitech’s mission is to remove barriers to learning, career opportunities and life skills by expanding free access to technology and education. Fitzgibbons, a certificated tutor for the Goleta Union School District, founded Equalitech in 2017 after he became acutely aware of the learning gap that begins to develop between students with access to technology and those without it.
We encourage residents who have not completed their census to take advantage of this opportunity to use Equalitech computers. Please remember to wear a mask and stay six feet apart. COVID-19 Health Guidelines will be followed.
For those with internet access, you can complete the census online at My2020Cenus.gov phone or by calling 844-330-2020.
If you would like some Make Goleta Count swag, come on by the Camino Real Farmers Market on Sunday, September 13, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Look for the large California Census digital truck parked at the Camino Real Marketplace. Again, COVID-19 guidelines will be followed.
Learn more about the 2020 Census at www.CityofGoleta.org/Census2020. The City of Goleta is proud to be a part of the Complete Count Committee which is working together to make sure EVERYONE counts in Santa Barbara County.
Pictured: Equalitech Executive Director Danny Fitzgibbons and Staff Member Teresa Melgoza standing out front of the newly re-opened Goleta Valley Tech Center to help with internet access in the final month of the 2020 Census.