About the report:
Calgary’s Vital Signs is an annual check-up that measures the vitality of our community and identifies significant trends. The Vital Signs report combines research with the results of a survey, where citizens assign grades and provide comments in issue areas that are critical to quality of life in Calgary.
The Calgary Foundation’s community knowledge is collected from Vital Signs survey results, annual community issue research, Community Knowledge Centre charitable organization members, consultations with community members and 60 years working with and supporting the Calgary nonprofit sector.
The Calgary Foundation uses community knowledge to inform granting decisions. The Calgary Foundation’s granting programs support all areas of the charitable sector and identify and act on issues that require increased leadership, profile and innovative solutions.
Living Standards
Recognizing the value of creating an accessible and sustainable food system, these committed organizations are working to ensure healthy and nutritious food is available to everyone.
The Alex has partnered with Community Food Centres Canada to launch The Alex Community Food Centre offering food access, food skills, and education and engagement programs to low-income community members. Through healthy meals, community kitchens and gardens, education programs for kids, peer support, civic engagement activities, and public education, The Alex Community Food Centre aims to increase physical and mental health and community connections, and engage people in meaningful social change.
With 20% of the population low-income and 40% single parent homes, the Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community Association (HSCA) developed a Community Food Program to support the needs of residents. Partnerships with local agencies enabled HSCA to offer a Food Skills Cooking Group that increased knowledge, skills and confidence in the kitchen. HSCA also hosted Urban Agriculture Workshops and a Kids Food and Garden program that introduced the benefits of growing food in the local community garden, while increasing civic engagement and local leadership amongst residents.