LOS ANGELES – A Latino tradition is being used to spread the word about the Census.

In Spanish, posada means inn or hotel. The word also refers to the ritual reenactment of Mary and Joseph's search for lodging in Bethlehem. It is typically performed just before Christmas.

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Esther Vergara volunteers for the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights. She usually takes part in a posada with her family.

“Usually it’s just a tradition, but this time it’s better,” said Vergara.

CHIRLA helped organize the hybrid “Posadas del Censo” on December 18, claiming the reason Mary and Joseph took on such a long journey was to register for the Census.

Volunteers like Vergara took the opportunity to talk to people about the 2020 census.

“If we don’t get a lot of people to count then the schools and buildings and all these things won’t be getting funds, which is not really good because schools right now are suffering a lot,” said Vergara, a high school junior.

Vergara and other volunteers asked people to fill out pledge cards promising to participate in the 2020 Census. Those cards will be mailed out as a physical reminder next year.