Stories

Future Intended: #HamiltonVitalSigns

Our 2018 Hamilton Vital Signs report is out now! In this special edition of Future Intended, we highlight some new key Hamilton stats from the report alongside some recent projects we support that relate to the issue.


“According to the Canadian Community Health Survey, 14.8% of Hamiltonians reported experiencing some food insecurity in the last year. Additionally, 4.2% reported severe food insecurity, which means reduced food intake, skipping meals, and disrupted eating patterns.” (from Low Income)

 

Maple Leaf Centre for Action on Food Security
Advancing food security is the mission of the Maple Leaf Centre for Action on Food Security. It does so at a local level by partnering with organizations that help address problems like availability of healthy food. In Hamilton, we’re proud to support McQuesten Urban Farm in providing affordable fresh produce in the neighbourhood’s “food desert”.


“While women make up just over half the population they were under-represented in every sector ranging from a low of 14%in corporate boards to 47% in the voluntary sector. Visible minorities make up 19% of Hamiltonians but in leadership positions occupy a range of 11% to almost none across sectors.” (from Citizens and Engagement)


DiverseCity OnBoard
This program connects under-represented groups like women, visible minorities, and Indigenous people with board governance opportunities. DiverseCity OnBoard is a national program and we’re proud to support it locally via Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion.


“Less than half (46%) of Hamilton youth, 12-17, reported being active for the recommended daily 60 minutes, significantly below the 60% provincial and national averages.” (from Health and Well-Being)


Empowerment Squared youth soccer league
Empowerment Squared helps newcomer and marginalized youth get access to sports and recreational activities with its soccer league that address financial barriers to sports participation. Through team building and leaderships skills development youth stay active and have fun.


“In 2016, there were 2,205 artists living in Hamilton – a 31% increase from 1,680 in 2006.” (from Arts and Culture)

 

ALERT
The Artistic Leadership and Entrepreneurial Training Program (ALERT) at Hamilton Festival Theatre Company helps emerging artists develop the skills needed for theatrical production including curation, publicity, financial management and technical coordination. Last year’s participants were key in producing the hugely successful Frost Bites Festival this past winter.


“In Hamilton there are just over 200km of designated bike lanes, an increase of 130km since 2007.” (from Getting Around)

Friendly Streets Hamilton
Cycle Hamilton and Environment Hamilton want to make Hamilton streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists. With a pilot that started in the area around General Hospital, the program has expanded to engage community stakeholders in Beasley, Keith, and Gibson-Landsdale neighbourhoods. This toolkit is a great way to learn more.

Read the Hamilton Vital Signs 2018 report and share your thoughts on social media using #HamiltonVitalSigns. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and start a conversation! When you’ve read the report please fill out our short survey.

Future Intended is an ongoing series that spotlights some of our most recent granting in categories like music, visual art, literacy, the environment and more.