About the report:

As part of a national initiative conducted by community foundations across Canada, Vital Signs is a snapshot of the vitality of southwestern Alberta. This report identifies significant information and trends, creates awareness of current issues, and inspires action.

Living Standards

Housing and Homelessness

Streets Alive Mission runs 13 supportive programs for marginalized populations and low income or homeless individuals.

Two of these programs are:

Takin’ it to the Streets: A sandwich bus that provides sandwiches, coffee, and other food to homeless and those living in downtown, low income apartment buildings. 

(Persons in Need) Bank: Free clothing is provided to people in need. 

Social Housing in Action (SHIA)

An initiative of the City of Lethbridge that works with many community organizations and partners to “Bring Lethbridge Home.” In 2015–16 their coordinated efforts housed 152 individuals.

Individuals who were housed in 2015-16 reported that their day-to-day life was impacted by one or more significant issue or condition:

• 11.2% reported living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) 18.4% reported being released from a correctional facility
• 8.6% reported being released from a mental health facility
• 9.2% reported being released from a health facility
• 11.2% reported being released from a residential treatment facility

YWCA: Hidden Treasures

Hidden Treasures is a YWCA program that provides gently used clothing and household items for women once they are ready to leave the shelter. (The number of women helped is limited to the number of donations that the program receives.)

• 688 Women Helped April 2014 – March 2015
• 579 Women Helped April 2015 – March 2016