The Windsor-Essex Community Foundation wants to hear from you about the state of the region.
The WECF officially launched the 2019 Vital Signs survey during a media event this week at the Windsor Star News Cafe. The survey launch is part of the completion of the Vital Signs report, which is released each fall and provides insight into specific aspects of the community at local, regional, provincial, and national levels.
In addition, the WECF announced it is opening the application process for programs that address oral and mental health in Windsor-Essex. The foundation has $500,000 set aside for grants supporting oral and mental health, which the WECF has identified as two areas in which it will hold "vital conversations" this year.
WECF executive director Lisa Kolody says the Vital Signs report is a critical look at the overall health of the region and the information collected in the survey is of utmost importance.
"Vital Signs is a snapshot of our community that measures the vitality of our region, identifies our strengths, our needs, our trends; and supports action on the issues that are critical to our community's quality of life," said Kolody.
The annual report includes key information on Windsor-Essex housing, the economy, health, education, wellness and activity, food security, and the environment. Kolody said the concept is now used in communities all over the world.
"Across Canada, many community foundations are participating in the Vital Signs program this year in some way," said Kolody. "The program, while Canadian-born, has grown globally and is now available in many countries including the United States, Australia, Germany and Bermuda."
The grant program for oral and mental health is being supported by Greenshield Canada's Six-4-Six program. To celebrate its 60th anniversary, Greenshield is donating $6-million to be shared among priority projects in communities across Canada, including Windsor-Essex.
The public is encouraged to take the survey and be eligible for a prize for doing so. The survey is open to all Windsor-Essex residents and can be taken online at the WECF's official website.
