It’s National Youth Week in Canada - a celebration of youth and their active participation in their community which is why the recent release of the Youth VitalSigns Report in Calgary is so timely.
Inspired by The Calgary Foundation’s VitalSigns Report, this youth-driven report combines the opinions and perspectives of youth with timely research to inform the public and private sectors, governments, youth funders and youth-serving charitable organizations.
Youth VitalSigns is part of a growing movement that seeks to hear, strengthen, and empower young people. The project was launched by The Calgary Foundation and Youth Central to support positive leadership opportunities for youth to:
- Influence change by sharing their experiences and perspectives
- Expand their understanding of local community issues
- Take action in their school and community
The grades of 5 B’s and 7 C’s reflect the concerns the majority of youth graders have for their community. There are over 140,000 youth aged 24 and under living in Calgary, yet graders overwhelming state that there are few opportunities to “have a voice” in their communities and gave the issue area of Youth Voice a C.
Over 90% of graders live with family, yet the key issue area of youth homelessness and housing received a C, one of the lowest grades. With an estimated 700 people under the age of 24 living on the streets of Calgary, graders identified this area as one of the top priorities that needs immediate community investment.
Recreation and Sports received a B, one of the highest grades, with 54% of youth reporting participation in community activities while acknowledging that fee’s are a barrier for some youth. A few of the other vital facts from the 2010 Youth VitalSigns Report:
- Calgary has the lowest rate of youth cigarette smokers (grades 7-12) in Alberta, but the highest rate of youth who smoked cannabis in the past year.
- Calgary’s Youth offences decreased by almost 25 per cent since 2005.
- In 2009, 29 per cent of Calgary’s Grade 3 students were ESL students, compared to the provincial average of 13 per cent.
- In October 2009, the unemployment rate for Calgary’s youth reached 15.3 per cent – twice the rate of unemployed adults.
Supporting youth has always been an important focus of The Calgary Foundation and its donors. In the last 2 years, The Foundation has contributed over $7 million towards initiatives that serve Children, Youth and Families including $1.9 million to support over 300 student awards last year.
A small sample of the Foundation’s support in this area includes funding for an employment program for street youth, a musical instrument loan program for underprivileged youth, a learning disability CD, anti-bullying campaigns, immigrant youth education programs and youth mentoring programs.
Engaging young people can build a strong sense of connection to their community, a commitment to civic action, and a passion for active learning. Being part of the process gives youth a feeling of ownership, they can mobilize others and become powerful role models.
Interestingly, the report highlights that youth who reported being very connected to their community tended to give higher grades then youth who reported being less connected to their community.
Youth VitalSigns bridges the developmental gap between childhood and adulthood by giving youth a voice, encouraging them to feel more connected to and engaged in their community as they grow into responsible, socially conscious adults. But youth engagement can only happen when youth voices are heard…and when leaders make an effort to listen.
Eva Friesen is the President and CEO of The Calgary Foundation
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