Media advisory - Vital Signs 2012 to launch Oct. 2; youth issues to be highlighted nationally

OTTAWA, Sept. 7, 2012 /CNW/ - Community foundations in 14 communities across Canada will release their Vital Signs 2012 reports on Tuesday, October 2.

"Providing communities with the information they need to make critical decisions about their future is just one of the many ways community foundations help to build smart and caring communities," said Ian Bird, President and CEO of Community Foundations of Canada.

"More than 30 community foundations are involved in the Vital Signs program - either producing a report or acting on the findings of previous reports." The communities releasing Vital Signs reports in 2012 are:

Victoria, BC Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve Region, BC Calgary, AB Medicine Hat, AB

Winkler, MB London, ON Waterloo Region, ON Toronto, ON Hamilton, ON Burlington, ON

Sudbury,  ON Kingston, ON Montreal, QC Halifax, NS

A national focus on youth
Community Foundations of Canada's national Vital Signs report is going to have a special focus on youth this year.

"Youth issues have been at the forefront of Canada's Vital Signs for years," said Bird. "We're going to step back and take a deeper look at the overall picture for youth in our country right now."

The report is being undertaken with the support of Deloitte and includes a Vital Youth Dialogue and Design session taking place Oct. 3 in Ottawa. "With our current focus on skills development for youth, specifically around the need to help develop the engaged citizens of tomorrow, Community Foundations of Canada and the Vital Youth initiative was a natural partner for us," said Leila Fenc, Director of Corporate Responsibility and Deloitte Foundation.

About Vital Signs
Vital Signs is an annual community check-up conducted by community foundations across Canada. It provides a comprehensive, reader-friendly look at how our communities are faring in key quality-of-life areas such as learning, health, housing and the environment.

Community Foundations of Canada is the national network for Canada's more than 180 community foundations, which help Canadians invest in building strong and resilient places to live, work, and play. Find out more at www.cfc-fcc.ca

SOURCE: Community Foundations of Canada

Skana Gee
Communications Coordinator 
Community Foundations of Canada
P: 902-466-7191
E: [email protected]

Anne-Marie McElrone 
Vice President, Public Engagement
Community Foundations of Canada
P: 902-461-8284
E: [email protected]