Many people in Greater Victoria are familiar with the Victoria Foundation’s Vital Signs report, the annual community check-up that measures the vitality of the region and supports action on issues that are critical to the quality of life. In addition to Vital Signs, the Foundation also publishes Pulse magazine and a companion blog each summer. Launched in 2013 to share stories of our remarkable community, Pulse highlights organizations and people who are working hard to improve life in Greater Victoria.
Here is a sneak peek at a few of the stories in the 2023 edition of Pulse.
Bayside Middle School: pulling together to build community
At Bayside Middle School in Brentwood Bay, a new canoe club is helping to bring community together. Learn how this Indigenous-led, community-run program is providing more than 60 students with an opportunity to get on the water and paddle war canoes while working toward truth and reconciliation.
Food insecurity: a decade in review
In 2013, Victoria’s Vital Signs report asked a key question: “Do you know where your next meal is coming from?” The results led to a decade of focus on food security for the Victoria Foundation to build a food-secure region with less reliance on emergency support, and a strong local food economy. Ten years later, the Foundation is taking stock of successes, lessons, and looking at what comes next.
Community development through local economies
The Victoria Foundation recently partnered with the South Island Prosperity Partnership (SIPP) as part of the Shorefast Communities Economies Pilot. The project is a nationwide, multi-community initiative to unleash the power of place for local communities to thrive in the global economy. The Indigenous Prosperity Centre, based in Victoria, was selected for development as part of the pilot.
Neighbourhood Small Grants
The Neighbourhood Small Grants (NSG) program, which is co-funded locally by Victoria Foundation and Vancouver Foundation, is designed to engage and connect people at the neighbourhood level by supporting activities that lead to stronger connections. In Greater Victoria, the program has funded projects in Quadra Village, North Park, Burnside Gorge, and Oaklands, such as kid’s open mic night and an art workshop teaching traditional Chinese brush techniques to name a few.
Advancing gender equality through collaboration
The Victoria Foundation is proud to be one of the community foundations taking part in the Fund for Gender Equality in Canada. This fund supports organizations committed to supporting and empowering women, girls, two-spirit, and gender-diverse individuals. In 2021-2022, the Foundation delivered $300,000 locally to advance gender equality, and in 2023-2024, this has been increased to $320,000.
You can read the full articles and blog posts at victoriafoundation.bc.ca/pulse.
