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Vital Signs®

THE 2022 VITAL SIGNS® REPORT IS HERE!

This is the tenth Vital Signs® Report that the WindsorEssex Community Foundation (WECF) has released to the community, enabling us to track trends overtime. The Vital Signs® Report outlines where the needs and strengths are in Windsor-Essex County, what the community priorities are, and it helps the WECF determine where we can have the greatest impact locally through our grant making.

Some of the Top Priorities identified in Vital Signs® 2022 Report include:
• Improving access to mental health programs and services
• Increasing opportunities for people to feel included and connected
• Increasing professional opportunities for those seeking employment in the arts & cultural sector

Vital Signs® is a community resource that builds knowledge, informs grant making, and identifies strategic priorities.
CLICK HERE to read the Report today to find out what makes Windsor-Essex County
a great place to live, work, play and grow!

Thank You to Our 2022 Vital Signs® Partners!

WHAT IS THE VITAL SIGNS® PROGRAM?

The Vital Signs® Program is a community report that combines national, provincial, and local data with residents’ views on important local issues. This report is a catalyst to engage our community in an ongoing dialogue about who we are, what we do, why we do it, and where it can lead. This is the seventh year the WECF has been part of the national Vital Signs® program. The results are combined with other data from sources such as Statistics Canada to create an all-encompassing report for our region. Learn more at www.wecf.ca.

WHY IS THE VITAL SIGNS® SURVEY IMPORTANT?

The WECF has used the Vital Signs® program to engage Windsor-Essex residents in a deeper exploration of issues and trends that affect and influence community vitality.  Our annual survey delves into resident’s thoughts on the quality of life in Windsor-Essex’s focusing on 11 key issue areas. The survey results are published in the Vital Signs® Report providing our residents with the opportunity to learn about their region, reflect on how we’re doing, and inspire conversation and communication.

WHO USES VITAL SIGNS® & WHY?

Residents, businesses, community organizations, educational institutions and government leaders use Vital Signs® to learn about community needs, and direct resources where they will have the greatest impact.

VITAL SIGNS ISSUE AREAS

  • FOOD SECURITY

    Refers to the availability of affordable and nutritious food

  • GETTING STARTED

    In general, refers to the many different transitions we can make throughout our lives but, in this section, it relates to newcomers, meaning anyone who is new to the Windsor-Essex region.

  • GETTING AROUND

    Refers to the ways in which people in your community get from one place to another, as well as the issues affecting those modes of transportation.

  • BELONGING & LEADERSHIP

    Refers 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 build a strong sense of belonging.

  • ENVIRONMENT

    Refers to the natural environment of your community, including the biodiversity, connected natural areas, agricultural activities, forests and green spaces, waterways and Great Lakes.

  • HEALTH, WELLNESS & ACTIVITY

    Refers to both physical and mental health, as well as healthy lifestyle choices including engaging in physical activity.

  • WORK

    Refers to the extent in which individuals in your community have access to meaningful employment opportunities, as well as to the quality and nature of the work.

  • SAFETY

    Your sense of safety is influenced by many factors, such as your concern about different types of crime and other activities in your neighbourhood, your general sense of connectedness to your community, and your belief that you can rely on others in an emergency.

  • HOUSING

    Refers to the accessibility and affordability of living accommodations, as well as providing families and individuals with a sense of security and stability.

  • ARTS & CULTURE

    Refers to the activities, artistic expressions, and social/cultural events that contribute to the diversity and richness of community life.

  • LEARNING

    Refers to access to opportunities, knowledge, skills, and competencies.

Vital Signs Reports

Vital Signs FAQs

Vital Signs is a community report that combines national and local data, with residents’ views on important issues based on a local survey. This report starts conversations between community members, leaders and organizations to inspire change in our community to make it a better place to live, work, play, and grow. Vital Signs, initially started in the late 1990s by the Toronto Community Foundation, became national under the auspices of Community Foundations of Canada in 2006. For more information regarding the Vital Signs® program, visit the national Vital Signs website: www.vitalsignscanada.ca.

The Vital Signs survey is released each year in May.

The Vital Signs report is released each year in October.

You can view other city’s reports through Community Foundations of Canada’s website: http://communityfoundations.ca/vitalsigns/ 

We encourage people of all ages and demographics to take time to read through the Vital Signs report as the content affects everyone living in Windsor-Essex. The report is intended to be utilized as a learning resource to initiate conversation for change in our community. If you are using the Vital Signs report, we want to hear from you! E-mail [email protected] to share your story.

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