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Dear Neighbors,

My name is Gwendolyn Garth, a neighborhood artist and activist. Today I write to you as a member of the Central-Kinsman Neighborhood Mobilization Team inviting you to participate in our Neighborhood Day of Action on September 27th from 1:30-3:30. This amazing team is composed of a group of extraordinary neighborhood residents and organizations that are housed in the community and/or provide services in the community.

The Day of Action we are planning is powered by practices of the Neighbor Up Network and is just one of many endeavors of the Central-Kinsman Neighborhood residents and organizations to get out messages of hope and messages about the importance of "Being Counted in Census 2020” and using "Our Vote as Our Voice"; and also to increase voter registration and the Census 2020 count in the Central-Kinsman Neighborhood!

The "Caravana" is a Neighbor Up Network practice being used as a way to safely get closer to our neighbors during this era of COVID-19. We have identified 10 Pop-Up Stations strategically located in the Central-Kinsman area. Each station will be activated with Music, Live painting, light refreshments, and tables for passing out PPE, Voter Registration and assistance with filling out the online Census 2020 information. While all of that is happening there will be a Central-Kinsman Neighborhood Caravana—a caravan of cars--riding throughout the area passing out giveaway bags.

Here's our why: We imagined the 10 Public Housing estates in the Central-Kinsman area with an estimated adult population of 3,512 and we asked ourselves, "What if every one of them came out and voted and each of those families counted in Census 2020?” We collectively feel that “The Voice of the People will be made Stronger.” We, the Central-Kinsman Mobilization Team, operate collectively with the belief that when you change a person…the community is...Changed.

Our Final Thought: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

We invite you to join us on Sunday, September 27th from 1:30-3:30 at locations around the Central and Kinsman neighborhoods. The base is located at 2259 East 55th Street.

Namaste,

Gwendolyn and the Central-Kinsman Neighborhood Mobilization Team

This endeavor is funded by Sisters of Charity Foundation, The Cleveland Foundation Census 2020 Grant, Neighbor Up Common Ground Grant, Kings & Queens of Art, Innervisions of Cleveland, FARE, Environmental Health Watch.