Imagination is a powerful tool. It unleashes creativity, allows us to envision new possibilities, and inspires change. It is the driving force behind innovation, progress, and the wellbeing of our communities.
This year’s Victoria’s Vital Signs report asks readers if they can imagine a Greater Victoria for future generations. It invites you to envision a region that our children, grandchildren, and beyond can thrive in.
For nearly 20 years, Vital Signs has helped us identify and respond to the community’s most pressing issues so that we can make our imagined future a reality. It’s a kind of community report card on 12 key areas, like education, housing, arts and culture, and more.
Thanks to 6,500 survey respondents this year – the most in our Vital Signs history! – I invite you to read through the report in its new, accessible digital version for smartphones and computers, at victoriavitalsigns.ca. There you’ll also find a feature article by impact advisor and philanthropy champion Jim Hayhurst on engaging youth to learn what up-and-coming generations value in their lives.
From the outstanding turnout at our public Vital Signs launch in September, it’s clear that so many people care about where we live. I was humbled to see nearly 400 faces in the audience at the Victoria Conference Centre theatre. I also want to thank Coast Capital and Nicola Wealth for helping make the event such a resounding success.
We had an insightful community panel, and a wonderful keynote from futurist Elatia Abate on how our workplaces can adapt to rapid change. Afterward, a very tasty reception had everyone happily bathed in sunlight through the atrium windows.
It was an occasion that we hope to expand on next year as Victoria’s Vital Signs enters its 20th year. We’ve learned so much through the program; I’ve been honoured to watch the community grow and meet challenges with remarkable resilience over two decades. I’ll be pleased to share more about our plans for this milestone anniversary in the months ahead.
Speaking of anniversaries, I’d like to congratulate the Quadra Village Community Centre (QVCC) for recently celebrating 50 years as the beating heart of the Hillside-Quadra neighbourhood. What an achievement that for half a century the centre has supported children, youth, and families with a variety of programs that foster life skills and connections.
Community centres are also where our future generations can flex their leadership muscles and learn what it means to build community.
Executive Director Kelly Greenwell says young people are heavily involved at the QVCC, from attending programs like Food Skills for Youth and social connection groups, to volunteering and mentoring.
“All of the youth who attend have the opportunity to help shape our programs, and volunteers share the wisdom of their lived experience as youth. As they take responsibility with our programs, younger youth have a strong sense of what they can accomplish in the future,” says Kelly.
If you have a connection with a young person in your life, I encourage you to help them find ways they can build relationships with those in their community. It could mean attending a youth event, volunteering, or leading a program at the local community centre.
By inspiring them to be involved, we’re strengthening our region’s wellbeing for our children, grandchildren, and beyond.
Sandra Richardson is CEO of the Victoria Foundation.
