Vital Signs Issue Areas

Vital Signs Issue Areas

Community Foundations of Canada defines 12 possible issue areas to be covered by a Vital Signs report.  We are required to choose a minimum of five of these issue areas for use locally, but we are welcome to develop additional issue areas if we feel it’s necessary.  Below are the 11 issue areas the CFSO has chosen for 2011, along with sample “context statements” to further explain each area.  The Community Leadership Team convened on May 27, 2011 to brainstorm “indicators” for measuring these issue areas.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

How safe we feel in our community can affect our overall quality of life. One’s sense of safety and security can be influenced by many different factors. These can include concern about different types of crime or other activities in neighbourhoods as well as an individual’s general sense of connection to their community and their belief that they can rely on others in an emergency.  Building a strong sense of safety and security is central to our success in creating strong, vibrant and liveable communities.

HEALTH

One’s general health status plays an important role in an individual’s sense of vitality and wellbeing.  Health can include both physical and mental health as well as healthy lifestyle choices.  Using a ‘social determinants of health model’ to look at differences in the experiences and circumstances of different groups in our community may assist in building a greater awareness and understanding of differences in gender, race, income, education, and early childhood development.

HOUSING

Access to stable and affordable housing plays an important role in contributing to vibrant communities as well as in providing families and individuals with a sense of security and stability.  A diversity of housing types can also contribute to the social diversity and vitality of a community and can help to ensure that everyone has a place to call home. Key housing related measures can include affordability, equity and housing diversity with access to affordable housing playing a central role in contributing to complete communities.

THE GAP BETWEEN RICH AND POOR

Our ability to engage in all aspects of community life is central to our overall quality of life and well-being. This includes meaningful employment, the availability of secure work as well as a living wage. For some members of our community, these opportunities may be more constrained as some groups fall further behind. How we move forward as a community is essential to our overall vitality and well-being.

GETTING AROUND

How we get around is becoming increasingly important to communities as they begin to look at some of the larger questions related to climate change and the need to reduce green house gas emissions. Key measures related to this theme include the use of alternative modes of transportation (walking, biking or public transportation) as well as the use of coop cars, ride sharing and other modes of transportation that are easier on the environment. The presence and connectivity of bike paths in our community as well as the number of designated parking spaces for people with disabilities are other measures of a caring, vibrant and inclusive community.

BELONGING AND LEADERSHIP

Belonging and leadership can refer to the types of relationships that exist between people in their community that contribute to a sense of trust, collaboration and inclusion and that help to build a strong sense of belonging. This can include both formal and informal networks that help to advance important community values and that build social capital.

GETTING STARTED

In thinking about the different transitions that we make through our lives, “getting started” can apply to different aspects of community life including measures which focus on giving children the best possible start in life as well as creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for newcomers to our communities. Other measures related to this issue area can include measures which reflect the social, cultural and ethnic diversity of our communities.

LEARNING

Human capital encompasses the knowledge, skills, competencies and other attributes embodied in individuals and communities. These various attributes contribute to overall creativity, vitality and well-being of communities as well as representing an important asset upon which to build resilient communities. Learning also includes access to opportunities including formal education and training. Opportunities for lifelong learning and growth also represent important elements of community vitality. Strategies to promote early childhood development and to build a strong sense of inclusion are also important elements of a nurturing and caring community.

WORK

The quality and nature of employment opportunities can contribute to the overall sense of vitality and well-being in a community. The measures and indicators set out in this section can refer to the extent to which individuals in our community have access to meaningful employment opportunities that can contribute to a high quality of life as well as the quality and nature of the work. The economic base of our community is also an important measure as well as the contribution of volunteers and unpaid work.

THE ENVIRONMENT

The environment refers to the natural or physical setting of our community as well as the biodiversity within our local area/region, agricultural activities, forestry, green spaces, as well as waterways. In looking at the environment it is important to consider measures to help build resilience as well as address issues related to climate change including measures which support conservation and adaptation.

ARTS AND CULTURE

Cultural capital can be defined as the myriad of relationships, activities, artistic expressions and social/ cultural events that contribute to the diversity and richness of community life. This could include different traditions and values members of the community  share as well as the different beliefs and attitudes that people identify as ‘part of their culture’. Cultural capital can also refer to the community activities that help to build an increased sense of awareness and understanding of the differences that we share as well as a sense of inclusion and cohesion as people from diverse backgrounds come together to participate in, and add to their community.