2010 Vital Signs

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80081

42%I 2009, Lersivere 42% waseawa rm he laill.

28%

I 2008, 28% alers i he L CMAmae ais chariable rgaizais,higher ha he prviciala aial rae.

1 in 51 i ever 5 chilrebr i L awill live i pver.

L CMA’s labrrce icrease b

800 peple rm April Ma 2010.

London scored

81 or progress inlielong learning,

higher than both

the national and

provincial scores.

vital sigs®

Hw are we ig?

In 2006, 14% o London’s

population was a visible

minorit. The top ivelanguages spoken are:

Spanish, Arabic, Polish,Portuguse and French.

14%



When the milk is running low, most o us just add it to the grocery list and buy more.But or many Londoners, it’s not that easy. As a volunteer on the board at the DailyBread Food Bank and the Fellowship Centre, Andra O’Neill says she is struck by how manytwo-income amilies have been in to get help

this year.

Although our economy is improving, it’s t ooearly to see change. When you’re the mostmarginalized, you’re rst to need help butthe last to recover.

Each day, over 200 Londoners drop intothe Fellowship Centre or a hot lunch, a cupo coee and maybe a game o cards withriends. Many also requent the ood bank ora three-day emergency supply o ood. Bothurgent need services are run out o St. Paul’sCathedral on Richmond Street.

People are devastated to have to go to aood bank. So the moment they step inside,the volunteers go all out to make them eelwelcome. It takes courage to get help.

For Andra and many volunteers like her, it’snot about doing your “good deed” or the day.It’s about listening to someone’s story andbeing inspired to make your community abetter place.

It’s been a tough two years since our last reportin 2008. The economic downturn causedunemployment like we’ve never seen beore,along with higher poverty and hopelessness.The most vulnerable in our community arereeling and average amilies have elt thepressure too.

Andra is just one o t he many people you’llmeet in Vital Signs 2010 who make a dierence. As you’ll see rom the stories ahead, a newspirit o generosity, compassion and yes, hope,is seeing us through. Not just rom our richestcitizens but rom people who live modestlives too. Giving doesn’t have a demographic. Anyone can do it, rom the person who hasa kind word or a stranger to the wealthy

businessperson with a million dollars.

Connecting people who care with causesthat matter was the impetus or publishingLondon’s rst Vital Signs two years ago, and itcontinues to be our reason or publishing thereport now.

A key challenge or philanthropy is sortingthrough competing priorities, identiyingopportunities and creating space or deeperconversations and solutions. We trust that Vital Signs will continue to strengthen ourrole as a grant-maker and encourage ourcommunity and donors to make a dierence.

Perhaps, most importantly, Vital Signs willserve as a beacon or the people o Londonand Middlesex County, drawing attention

to the issues we must address to ensurethe vitality o our community.

You’ll meet many o our communitychampions here. Their passion and enthusiasmis evident in these pages: in their projects, data,and great ideas to make London a stronger,more vital community.

As you read this report, I encourage you toreect on how you – as a member o thiscommunity – eel we are doing in each area,how we can improve and how you mightcontribute to make a dierence.

Visit our website at www.londonvitalsigns.caand let us know your thoughts. Feel reeto share your ideas and initiatives too –there’s so much going on, we can’t begin toget it all into t his report. You’ll also nd morestories, more in-depth data and interestingvideo on the website.

Vital Signs is a call to become more inormedabout the health and wellbeing o our vibrantcommunity. Because community truly meanseach and every one o us.

Although our economis improving, it’s too

earl to see change.

When ou’re the most

marginalized, ou’re

rst to need help but

the last to recover.

Martha Powell, CEO

Connecting People Who Care to Causes That Matter

www.londonvitalsigns.ca | London’s Vital Signs 2010 | London Community Foundation | Page 3

The role o a community oundation is three-old: to manage the unds entrusted to us bydonors; to make grants to local charities that aremaking a dierence; and to provide leadership incommunity building and leadership.

Since 1979, London Community Foundation

has been working to ensure prosperity acrossgenerations who choose to make a lie in Londonand Middlesex County by pooling the charitablegits o many donors into a permanent, income-earning endowment.

Thanks to the generosity o donors past andpresent and a responsible investment strategy,your community endowment is now valuedat over $42 million. Each year, grants rom theearnings o these unds are used to support abroad variety o charitable initiatives rom health,education and social services to arts, culture andthe environment.

We are proud to say that a git o any amountcreates a lasting legacy that not only addressesthe needs o today, but the needs o ourcommunity tomorrow.

London’s Vital Signs Report is used as a blueprintin developing our community granting priorities.

Responding to theMarket Downturn

As this report will reect in many areas, theimpact o the recent economic downturn was eltacross all aspects o our community, our province

and our country.

A community oundation’s role is to serve ourcommunities as a resource and partner. We striveto be exible and responsive to issues acing ourcommunities. Our granting principles continuedto guide us through these dicult t imes.

With limited unds available or granting, weconvened those non-prots and ront lineagencies across the community to ask them “howis the economy impacting your work, what areyou seeing and hearing rom those you serve, andmost importantly, how can we help?”

We listened and responded by implementingan Urgent Needs Granting program designed toprovide the most basic o human needs to thosemost impacted. We created partnerships withother unders and encouraged and supportedcollaboration at all levels across the city.

London CoMMunIty FoundAtIon

Cve Gare Marke,130 Kig SreeL on, n6A 1C5

. 519 667 1600e: [email protected]: @LCmmF

www.lc..ca

4- 5 Ab Vi al S igs

6- 7 Gap BeweeRich & Pr

8- 9 Belgig& Leaership

10-11 Learig

12-13 Wrk ig

14-15 Ge ig Sare ior Cmmi

16-17 Evirme

18-19 thaks!

TABLE OF CONTENTSLondon CommunitFoundation is an

independent charitable

organization created

b and or the peopleo this cit.

About LondonCommunit

Foundation



About London’sVital Signs® Report Vital Signs serves as a check-up on the vitality o London andprovides a snapshot o the positive and negative trends in areasimportant to our quality o lie.

The report is compiled rom recent statistics and studies that look at six dierent, and yet interconnected, issue areas that are criticalto the well being o our city and its residents: Getting Startedin our Community, Belonging and Leadership, Learning, Work,Environment and Gap Between Rich and Poor. This study deepensour community knowledge and is a valuable tool or residents,leaders and elected ocials who develop the new ideas required tobuild a stronger London.

London Community Foundation has placed the emphasis o the report on the City o London. In some instances, the datapresented represents the City o London and Middlesex Countywhere possible. Conversely, some data estimates in the report usethe Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) that includes the City o London along with the townships o Central Elgin, Southwold andStrathroy-Caradoc and surrounding areas o Middlesex and ThamesCentres (Statistics Canada denition, 2001). It is important to notethe data source when reading through the report or clarity on thegeographical area.

For more inormation and links to source material,visit www.londonvitalsigns.ca

Research Srces

Canadian Community Health Survey, Statistics Canada•

Centre or Lielong Learning•

Children’s Aid Society o London and Middlesex•

Composite Learning Index•

Elections Canada; City o L ondon Elections Oce•

Fanshawe College, Research and Institutional Planning Oce•

Households and the Environment Survey 2007•

London District Catholic School Board•

London Economic Development Corporation•

London Food Bank •

Middlesex London Heath Unit•

OEYC Data Analysis Coordinators, Early Development Instrument•

Ontario Municipal Benchmarking Initiative•

Statistics Canada•

The University o Western Ontario•

Thames Valley District School Board Annual Report 2009•

Note: London CMA (Census Metropolitan Area) includes the Cityo London along with the townships o Central Elgin, Southwoldand Strathroy-Caradoc and surrounding areas o Middlesex andThames Centres.

ouR CoMMunIty

nesle a he rks he thames River i he hear

shweser oari,L is a special place live a wrk.

tree-lie srees, prisieparks, eesive walkiga bikig rails a aabace recreaiaciliies are js a ew he qaliies ha eiceamilies L.

L is he 10h larges ci iCaaa a he al pplaii L a Milese Cis 489,274 (2009 CMA).

Recgize as a cere r healhcare ecellece, L has a srgcllabraive research cmmi ais hme several aial acaemichealh Ceres Ecelleces.

B he ime he 2011 pplaicess, i is esimae ha pepleage 55-pls will icrease ab28% he al pplai, r earl

1-i-3 Lers.

Over 280

parks and

open spaces.

Lersspeak 48iere lagages aiei acesral rigisrm 144 isic eh-clral backgrs.

48

the Ci L is cmmie bilig aregeeraig eighbrhs ha shwcaseivaive, creaivel esige rms hsigwihi cmmiies ha hr r bil heriagea preserve r aral evirme. London is home to

a leading universit

and expansive

communit college.

Annuall, 45,000 ull

time post secondar

students stud in

London each ear.

4.4 milli rees —r ab 12 r everLer – a 126ree species.“As Londoners, we are proud o our

diverse and energetic communit, which

ofers a qualit o lie second to none. Bstrengthening our neighbourhoods and

creating opportunities or citizens o allages, London is indeed a progressive,

orward-thinking cit and a great placeto live.”

-- Mar Ae Marie deCicc-Bes

About Vita l Signs ®

Vital Signs is an annual check-up conducted

b communit oundations across Canada that

measures the vitalit o our communities and

identies signicant trends in a range o areas

critical to qualit o lie. Vital Signs is coordinated

nationall b Communit Foundations o Canada.

62% o Londoners

own their own home.

The number o thoserenting accomodations

declined or the rst

time in 15 ears.

Methodolog: Indicator Selection

Indicators or each o the six ke areas were selected on

the basis o:

Availabilit o data•

Ease and cost o data collection•

Reputable and reliable data source•

Currenc o data•

Communit interest•

Data that will be updated regularl or uture trending•

A three-ear ccle or core indicators as agreed upon b•

all communit oundations participating in Vital Signs

The Vital Signs trademark is used

with permission from Community

Foundations of Canada.

Majr ecmic secrs icle avacemaacrig, amive pars, prcessig, lie scieces, irmaiechlg, warehse/isribi, aacial services. there are 261,700 peplei he labr rce. (2009)




Every Thursday night rom September

to April, the London Food Bank comesalive with the patter o dancing eet,the plunking o piano keys and thesmooshing o paint.

Ater the doors close and the sta leave, Arts or All takes over thebuilding. Some 85 kids along with30 volunteer teachers pack into Dr.Seuss-coloured rooms to do their artything or 90 minutes: dance lessons,art class, piano, drama, guitar, violinand creative writing.

Roxanna, a mother o three girls age7 to 14, credits Arts or All Kids withhelping to unleash their creativity

and more. “It keeps them busy and

healthy,” she says, commenting onthe big changes she’s seen in heroldest daughter Vivian, usually a quietkid. Now 14, Vivian is pursuing Grade3 conservatory piano, has joined theschool band and is ready to volunteerin the program next year.

Arts or All Kids is proo that oneperson, helped by many volunteersand a generous donation, can makea dierence. Karen Pincombe has runthe program or 22 years now. Sheand husband Brian Ratclie, a trainedconcert pianist, devote countlesshours to teaching and coordinating.

The program is ree to amilies who

don’t have the means to pay and theLondon Food Bank provides rent-ree space.

In 2008, Arts or All Kids got aboost rom the London CommunityFoundation through a $5,000 gitrom the Faith Tilk Memorial Fund.

The donation painted the wholespace, put a new tile oor in the artroom, and bought artwork-dryingracks, tabletop easels and many pairso dance shoes, all sizes.

When Nancy and Steve Tilk losttheir almost nine year-old daughter

Faith, they started the Faith Tilk

Memorial Fund through the LondonCommunity Foundation to honourher memory. The und quickly grew tomore than $160,000, creating a legacythat’s supporting many local, youth-ocused programs, including Arts or All Kids.

“It elt really good to keep Faith’screative spirit alive,” Nancy says.“Faith was a git in our lives. Now sheis the spark that leads other kids intovolunteering, raising unds, givingback and making a dierence.”

London Community Foundation’s NeighbourhoodBuilding Program *

neighbrh cecis, like scial cecis, prvie chilrea heir amilies wih eperieces belgig a share membership.

this iqe gra prgram spprs a varie prjecs aressspecic challeges i L’s lw icme eighbrhs.

Museum London’s Summer Classes or Young Artists *

I a er icrease cmmi access heir Smmer ArPrgram r chilre, Msem L was able er reeregisrai chilre wih acial ee b parerig wih

Prjec Camp Chilre’s Ai Scie.

Dental Outreach Community Services (DOCS) *

this prgram he Schlich Schl Meicie & deisr ers reeeal care r srgglig amilies b brigig mbile eal cliics ilw icme cmmiies.

London’s Family Neworks

the rs prjec is ki i oari, L’s Famil newrksprvies access he pressial a her cmmi servicesecessar keep he amil geher sael b erig crisis respse24 hrs a a. www.amilewrks.ca

London’s Child & Youth Network

Mre ha 130 lcal agecies a iivials are cmmie wrkiggeher wha is bes r chilre, h a amilies. the rwrkig pririies icle eig pver, makig lierac a wa lie,leaig he ai i icreasig healh eaig a healh phsicalacivi a creaig a amil-cere service ssem. www.l.ca/c

When there is a large gap between rich and poor in our

communit, we are all afected. The act is, anone o us

can nd ourselves suddenl at the bottom o the income

scale. A crippling accident, a market downturn, a divorce,

can sometimes result in unexpected povert.

Identiing the shortalls assists us in improving our

communit b helping those who need it most. Though

data indicates that average amil income is increasing,

there is still a troubling gap between those who have and

those who have not.

GAP BETWEEN RICH AND POOR

Every kid needssomeone to stand inront o them and say:“You’re amazing.”

Arts or All Kids aimsto build sel-confdenceand help childrenrealize they can breakthe cycle o poverty.

Arts or all Kids

“Faith was a git in our lives. Now she is the spark that leadsother kids into volunteering, raising unds, giving b ack and

making a dierence.”

9.2%

I 2008, 9.2% he peple i he LCMA ha icmes belw he Lw IcmeC o (LICo), cmpare wih 9.3% ioari a 9.4% i Caaa. thgh rci airs beer verall, here is mch rmr imprveme.

oVERALL PoVERty RAtE

uSE oF Food BAnKS

I 2009, a average 3,115 pepleper mh visie he F Bak ascmpare a average 2,368amilies i 2001. 37.4% clieshelpe were chilre a h.27.5% amilies visiig he bak ha icme.

(L F Bak)

In 2009-2010 the

Children’s Aid

Societ o London

and Middlesex

completed 2,509investigations o

child abuse and

neglect, provided

protection and

counselling services

to 1,256 amilies with

1,306 children in the

communit. Despite

eorts to reduce the

number o children

in care, the number

continues to rise. (Chilre’s Ai Scie)

94%

(Saisics Caaa)

(oari Micipal BechmarkigIiiaive, 2009)

I 2008, he lw-icmerae r he elerlpplai i he LCMA (1.8%) is lwer hahe prvicial lw-icmerae (4.4%) a he aiallw-icme rae (5.8%).(Saisics Caaa)

ELdERLy PoVERtyRAtE

Emergec Sheler use

I 2008, he Ci L haa al 360 emergec shelersbes wih a 94% ccpacrae. occpac raes areifece sigical b scialciials a res eisigi he micipali.

1 ever 5 chilre br ai L, will live i pver

(Cyn 2009 Repr).

1 IN 5

* SuPPoRtEd By London CoMMunIty FoundAtIon

CHILd PoVERty RAtE

5.6% chilre (age 0-17) i he

L CMA live i amilies wihicmes belw he LICo i 2008,cmpare wih 9.1% bh heprvice’s a ai’s chilre.

(Saisics Caaa)




When a easibility study or FanshawePioneer Village revealed that thenext generation o philanthropistsand volunteers wasn’t stepping up,London Community Foundationresponded with action: Create amini-MBA in philanthropy thatteaches people how to give.

The Foundation approached localbusiness owner Paul Hayman in 2007to champion the idea. As someone“at the stage o lie where my kidswere getting older and we werestarting to have more ree time,”strategic giving was on his radar.

Hayman worked with a group o peers to realize a vision or ENGAGE!London, an A-to-Z journey in

philanthropy geared toward creatinga personal strategy or giving.

ENGAGE! targets people 35 to 55 whohave the capacity to give but needsome help learning how.

Participants learn about buildingcommunity capacity, governance, andstrategic philanthropy, and participatein a case study with a local charity.They gain an understanding o whatmakes them excited about givingback, whether that’s sitting on a boardo directors, creating an annual givingplan or establishing a legacy und.

“ENGAGE! is all about empoweringpeople to act”, Hayman says.“Participants nd an organization

or cause that jazzes them and thecommunity benets rom a newgeneration o people who knowhow to make things happen.”

There’s no cost, no hidden agenda,no sales pitch. Just education,inspiration, good networking,and yes, ree lunch. So ar, over100 people have participated inthe program. Martha Powell,CEO o the London CommunityFoundation, says that 95% o themare acting on what they’ve learned.

Personally, Hayman credits theprogram with helping him re-think his role in not-or-prots andin business ventures. “It inuseseverything,” he says. “Now, I’m

committed to the triple bottomline: prot or shareholders,sta who make a dierence, andgiving back to the community.”

From Conlict Zone to Canadian Community *

Chagig Was’ Clrall Cmpee Iegrai Sraegies r MeCmig rm Cfic Zes is helpig ew Caaias a regeesrm cfic zes iegrae a sccessll aap i a peacelCaaia scie.

Unity Walk: A Youth Initiative to Promotea Harmonious Community *

thgh he rs ais cmmiies Chippewa, oeia aMce are gegraphicall clse, he h rm each are icreasigla s wih e aher a ierribal racism is cmm. Wihsppr rm L Cmmi Fai, a i walk is a erb sme he aece h raise awareess he isse aprme harm amg each ribe.

Big Sisters Summer Day Camp *

this si-week prgram helps g girls lear lie skills sch as

rii, meal preparai, ecaial games, phsical aciviiesa bgeig a als irces hem varis cmmiservices i a er ehace heir kwlege r cmmia bil sel eseem.

Canadian Association o Latin Americans (CALA)

this prgam helps r cmmi iegrae a be sccessllacive i heir ew Caaia lie hrgh cmmi-sppreprgrams, semiars a eves. www.calal.ca

Youth Week

Each ear, e week i Ma is eicae he celebrai ha heir acive paricipai i heir cmmi, le b L’s

yh Ccil.

Emerging Leaders

A cllecive like-mie 22-44 ear-ls wh believe haL ca be amg nrh America’s p rake ciies i erms bh ecmic prsperi a qali lie. newl regisere asa -pr rgaizai, his grp is pise make a psiiveierece a give a ie vice a impra emgraphic.

Do ou eel connected? Our sense o belonging is

strengthened when we get involved in our communit.

We eel more connected to our communit when we

volunteer, involve others, or make donations to the causes

we care about the most. Civic engagement strengthens

our communit. Are ou involved?

BELONGING ANDLEADERSHIP

”ENGAGE! gave me

the skills, tools and

knowledge to be a more

eective communit

member,” sas Adam

Caplan, entrepreneur.

“When we initiated

UnLondon, we started

o on the right oot

with a governance

structure that works.”

Caplan is one o ten

ENGAGE! Ambassadors

helping to shape this

ear’s curriculum to

be even more timel

and relevant.

A New Generation

o Giving

58.9%

Ver r r he 2008 FeeralEleci i he L CMA was 58.9%,i lie wih oari (58.6%) a Caaa(58.8%). Ver r r he 2006L Micipal Eleci was 42.93%(Elecis Caaa; Ci LElecis oce)

VotER tuRnout

CHARItABLE donoRS

I 2008, 28% he peple wh lea rers i he L CMA maeais chariable rgaizais(meia am ae was$310.00). this rae was 8.9% higherha he prvicial rae a 15.9%higher ha he aial rae.(Saisics Caaa)

SENSE OFBELONGING

In 2009, in the

London andMiddlesex HealthRegion, 70.1% o

the population 12ears and older,reported a strong

or somewhatstrong sense

o communitbelonging (theprovincial average

was 67.1% and thenational averagewas 65.4%).(Caaia Cmmi HealhSrve, Saisics Caaa)

SPEndInG on SoCIALCLuBS And uSEoF RECREAtIonALFACILItIES

I he L Ecmic Regi

i 2008, 45.2% hsehlsrepre cribig a paiges wars scial clbs aher rgaizais (prvicialaverage 41.3% a he aialaverage 40.0%) (Saisics Caaa)

AVERAGE LIFE SAtISFACtIon

I 2007-2008, 90% heL CMA pplai,age 20 ears a ler, weresaise r ver saise wihlie as cmpare Caaawhich was 91.13%.

I 2007, i he LCMA, 58.7% perss15 ears a ler wereegage i vleeraciviies (he prvicialaverage was 47.3% a

he aial average was46.1%) (Saisics Caaa)

VoLuntEER RAtE

(Saisics Caaa)

58.7%





When Michelle rst came toReconnect, she was in an abusiverelationship and addicted toOxycontin, in and out o schooland working ull-time to helpher mom pay the bills.

Now clean rom drugs, ree romher abusive partner and a studentat G. A. Wheable Centre, an Adultand Continuing Education school,Michelle says her experience atReconnect has opened her eyesto a world o possibilities.

“Reconnect has created manyopportunities or me. I wouldn’tbe here today i it wasn’t orthe program,” she says.

Reconnect is a Thames ValleyDistrict School Board Programthat helps disengaged youth,who have let school without

graduating, get back on track.Certied teachers and support sta work to create a unique plan or eachindividual and link them to options atschool, work and in t he community.

The program helps studentsgraduate high school, learn newskills and even gain real-lieexperience through work co-ops.Thames Valley District School Boardalternative education sta work withapproximately 800 students per year.

“The students have to work hardand show commitment to be atReconnect”, says Jane. “Studentsare out o school or dozens o reasons, rom mental healthissues, homelessness, parentingand others. We’re teaching themthe dierence between wantingto learn, over having to learn.”

With a recent grant rom LondonCommunity Foundation, Jane is alsoable to oer students ood vouchers.“The London Community Foundationhas truly been phenomenal,” saysJane. “Nine times out o ten thesestudents come here on an emptystomach. The Foundation allowsme to provide kids with the meansto buy ood so they are well-nourished and ready to learn.”

Michelle’s new goal is to become anurse. While that seems ar removedrom someone who didn’t like mathand science, she says; “My experienceat Reconnect prooundly changedthe direction I was headed and gaveme the opportunity to succeed.”

Are the three R’s important to ou? Education opens

up a world o possibilities and greatl impacts our

emploment, income and health. It allows us to stretch

the limits o our intelligence and changes the wa we

view lie. Alternative learning opportunities strengthen

the economic development or all in our communit.

LEARNING

“I meet students at

libraries, the market,

cofee shops or even at

a park bench. We meet

where the student eels

comortable learning,”sas Jane Lucas, teacher

in the Reconnect

Program shown here

working with Sabrina.

“Students learn in a

relaxed environment

so that education can

become a priorit in

their lives.”

Learningwithout Walls

SWOOP teaches youth about diversity, racism and tolerance *

Shweser oari oreach Prgram (SWooP) is a ecaialprgram e b L Cmmi Fai ha ses lm each ses i elemear schls i L a Milese abiversi, racism a lerace. I ses he lm “6000 Paperclips” abhe Hlcas ha has bee par he Jewish Film Fesival.

Economics or Success Teaches Kids the ROIo Higher Education *

this e-a wrkshp a Jir Achieveme L is esige help grae 8 ses ersa he imprace a ecai ahe persal a ecmic css rppig schl.

Boys and Girls Club o London’s M.A.P. (My Action Planto Education) *

A prgram aime a helpig h cie he ra sccess

i schl. M.A.P is base r giig priciples.

London Apprenticeship Program Alive and Well

Crrel, here are apprimael 7,000 acive appreices i all raeswihi he L area. tp acive appreiceship prgrams a FashaweCllege icle Amive Service techicia, Elecricia-Csrcia Maieace, Hairslis, Ck, a Geeral Machiis.

Aboriginal Student Population on the Rise

there are mre ha 200 sel-ieie Abrigial ses regiserewih Fashawe’s Firs nais Cere, which is a 35% icrease ver heprevis ear.

Baby’s Book Bag: Literacy, right rom the start!

Pares akig preaal classes hrgh Milese L Healh uireceive cmplimear lierac kis caiig ls a irmaiprve simlae he mis lile es. this is a prgram rig iparership wih Chilre a yh newrk a is sppre b KiwaisClb Fres Ci.

PoPuLAtIon WItHCoMPLEtEd PoStSECondARy EduCAtIon

I 2009, i he L CMA, 51.9%

he pplai (15 ears aver) ha cmplee pssecarecai cmpare 51.8% ihe prvice a 50.8% i Caaa.

(Saisics Caaa)

PoPuLAtIon tHAt HAVEnot CoMPLEtEd PoStSECondARy EduCAtIon

18.9% he pplai (15 earsa ver) i he L CMA, ha cmplee highschl i 2009. the rae was lwer ha he prvicialaverage 19.6% a he aialaverage 21.0%. (Saisics Caaa)

EnGLISH LAnGuAGELEARnERS

I he thames Valle disric SchlBar, i december 2009, 11% elemear schl se’s rslagage was eiher Eglish rFrech cmpare 9% r high schl.

I he L Cahlic disric SchlBar, 5.5% elemear se’s rs

lagage was Eglish cmpare 7.95% r high schl.

(L disric Cahlic Schl Bar’sdirecr’s 2009 Aal Repr a thames Valle disric Schl Bar)

READINESS

FOR SCHOOL

According to

the 2009 Earl

Development

Instrument

results, one out

o ever our

children in

London is not

read to learn

in Grade 1.(oEyC daa Aalsis Criars, Earldevelpme Isrme)

81(Cmpsie Learig Ie)

tHE CoMPoSItE LEARnInGIndEx (CLI)

I he CLI, Caaa’s aalmeasre prgress i lielglearig, L’s 2010 screwas 81, which was higherha bh he prvicial aaial scres.

I Sepember 2010, ll-aearl learig will be ere r4- a 5-ear l chilre isme L a area schls.B Sepember, 2015, ll-aearl learig will be availabler p 35,000 g chilreacrss oari. (thames Valle disric Schl Bar 2010Repr he Cmmi)

EARLy LEARnInGInItIAtIVES


www.londonvitalsigns.ca | London’s Vital Signs 2010 | London Community Foundation | Page11



Fresh into the rst week o a new jobat Hanwha, Perry Puckett is happyto see a amiliar ace. “I ran into anold colleague on my rst day hereand he asked me i I wanted to joinhis team,” Puckett says happily.

In these tough economic times, itis good to have riends. Puckett losthis job at Diamond Aircrat twoyears ago when gas prices went upand small aircrat sales went down.

“Staying motivated is the hardestpart o being unemployed,” saysPuckett who had a tough timepaying rent, bills and supporting

his amily. “You eel unemployedand unimportant. You have topush yoursel not to give up.

Volunteering helped, as didregular contact with John Farrell,

Employment DevelopmentCoordinator at Pathways Skill

Development and Puckett’s job coach.

Farrell uses one word to sum up

the mood o the people he coaches:rustration. “The economy has takena nose dive and they have amilies to

eed. People want to work, they’re notlazy.” Farrell has mentored Puckett

or ve years and considers him a

riend. “He’s done the work to moveorward with a better quality o lie,”he says, “He’s a great success story.”

Puckett is a graduate o the Light

Industrial Training course, oneo three industry-specic skilldevelopment programs oered by

Pathways. The eight-week courseincludes certications and a one-week work placement. Students come to

the program through Ontario Works,Employment Insurance, various

newcomer assistance programs andprivately. Over 87% o graduatesnd ull-time employment.

Ater hitting peak unemploymentrates o 11% less than a year ago,London has now stabilized at8.2%, one o the lowest in Ontario.

“Our diverse economy helped usget through the downturn andwill see us into the uture,” saysPeter White, President and CEO atLondon Economic DevelopmentCorporation. White notes that manyarea manuacturers are back up tospeed and are looking to hire.

Where to Look or Assistance

Pathwayswww.pahwas..ca/

Eiss assis iivials vercme barriers meaigl emplme.

Small Business Centrewww.sbcere.ca

t simlae, prme a sppr he erepreerial spiri , sar-pa earl grwh small bsiess acivel cribe he ecmicevelpme L.

Youth Opportunities Unlimited www...ca

deicae lckig he peial h b prviig clie cereservices emphasizig skills imprveme leaig icrease emplabilia empwerme, erig a reerral service agecies servig h,a evelpig, paricipaig i a spprig cmmi alliaces maimize ppriies r h.

London Employment Help Centrewww.lehc.ca

A cmmi-base, -r-pr rgaizai ha prmes persalachieveme hrgh he eliver iverse emplme a avcacservices i a carig a spprive evirme.

WIL Employment Connectionswww.wil.ca

WIL Csellig a traiig r Emplme a WIL Emplmea Learig Resrces Crprai (peraig as WIL EmplmeCecis) are -pr rgaizais eicae, primaril, aciliaig he ecmic a scial iegrai immigra wmea me a Caaia wme a me i he braer cmmi L a area.

Employment Sector Council London-Middlesex (ESCLM)www.esclm.ca/

ESCLM is a ewrk ver 45 rgaizais servig mre ha 60,000clies i he emplme a raiig secr i he ci L asrrig Milese C.

Our qualit o lie is greatl impacted b our abilit

to access stable and dependable work. A vibrant

and diverse labour market is a must or an health

communit. The atershocks o the economic

downturn in 2008 are still prevalent in our communit.

Have ou been afected?

WORKING

Ater hitting peak unemploment rates o 11% less than a ear ago,London has now stabilized at 8.2%, one o t he lowest in Ontario.

With a new job at Hanwha,Perry Puckett is one omany Londoners who areback to work, thanks toretraining programs anda community that cares.“Getting a job like this isawesome or me, It’s sogood or your sel-esteem.”

UpLooking

9.9%

I 2009, he emplmerae r he L CMA was9.9%. this was abve bh heprvicial level (9.0%) a heaial level (8.3%).

unEMPLoyMEnt RAtE

APPREntICESHIPS/tRAdES

the L Appreiceship Area ocereprs he p acive appreiceshipprgrams as: Amive Service techicia, Elecricia-Csrcia Maieace, Hairslis, Ck aGeeral Machiis. Crrel, here areapprimael 7,000 acive appreicesi all raes i he L area a mreha 1,800 appreiceship cmpleis ihe pas ve ears.

(Fashawe Cllege, Research a IsiialPlaig oce)

LABOURFORCEIn Ma 2010,

the London

CMA labourorce was

266,900 people

which was an

increase o 800

people over

April 2010.(L Ecmic develpmeCrprai’s e-ewsleer,L Maers)

EMPLoyMEnt RAtESFoR youtH

I 2009, he h (15-24 earsl) emplme rae i LCMA was 19.6% as cmpare he 17.6% r oari a 15.3%r Caaa. (Saisics Caaa)

2009 BuILdInG PERMItS

I he Ci L,i 2009, a al 4,094bilig permis wereisse cmpare wih4,285 permis i 2008a 4,917 permis i 2007.(L Ecmic develpme Crprai,

Markeig Facs 2010)

(Saisics Caaa)

AVERAGE HouRLyEARnInGSI 2009,averagehrl earigs i heL CMA were $22.05(i crre llars). this

rae is 3.1% lwer hahe prvicial rae ($22.75)a eqal he aialrae ($22.05). (Saisics Caaa)

$22.05




When Estevan and Juan get to thegarden, the rst thing they do is graba ew buckets o water, head to thecarrot patch and pull up a healthysnack. There’s nothing like thesatisying crunch o carrots you’vegrown yoursel – and the weedscan wait.

The teenage boys and their parentsare part o the Local Food Project for Spanish-Speaking Gardeners, aninitiative o the Middlesex LondonHealth Unit aimed at helping recentnewcomers learn how to accesslocal, seasonal, inexpensive andnutritious ood.

Good ood and riends can make allthe dierence or newcomers settlinginto a new lie.

“The project is helping people eathealthier, make social connectionsand learn new skills,” says LynnPrentice, Health Promoter at theMiddlesex London Health Unit.“Lots o people tell us that this hasbeen good or their amily. They’re

getting out into the garden instead o sitting at home watching TV.”

Estevan and Juan’s compact plot inBerkshire Gardens is bursting withneat rows o tomatoes, green peppers,potatoes and even cilantro rom lastyear’s seeds. The whole amily hasmade riends with other gardenersand grows enough to eat resh,organic vegetables every day, usuallywith some to share.

Middlesex London Health Unit undsand co-ordinates the program inpartnership with London CommunityResource Centre, who oers gardenplots at a reduced rate. LondonCommunity Foundation’s UrgentNeeds Granting Program earmarks

unds specically or communitygarden projects that work to integratenewcomers and boost health status.

“This project is a great example o many partners working together tomake something good happen,” saysMartha Powell, CEO o the LondonCommunity Foundation.

LUSO’s Reading + Parents Program*

A amil cere apprach lierac r chilre clrall iversea ehic backgrs. Sppre b L Cmmi Fai,reaig packs csis a qali chilre’s bk, reaig a lagagehis, pems a ger plas, a cra a age apprpriae acivi shees.

Building Common Ground in Old East London*

Par he crriclm LIFE*SPIn’s smmer schl prgram rchilre rm lw-icme amilies, his rgaic gareig a clivaiprjec helps kis lear hw clivae sil a pla sees, harvesa preserve r wier.

Game On! Basketball Unites Limberlost*

the Limberls cmmi is a seppig-se r ma ewcmers

L a is hme ver 700 peple, iclig ls g amilies.Recel he l baskeball cr was rasrme hrgh he sppr LCF rs i a sig ew cr, becmig a impragaherig sp r he cmmi.

The London and Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership

A cllabraive cmmi iiiaive le b Ci L a uieWa. Lear mre www.welcme.milesec.ca

Mentorship Program or London Ethnic Youth At Risk

L Iercmmi Healh Cere, aims help a leas 80 kisbewee 9 a 15 ears l a heir amilies i he ci’s rheas,where ab 9,000 peple – earl 20% – age 10 21 ieiehemselves as eh-racial r ewcmers i a srve b he healh cere.

WIL Mentorship or Newcomer Success.

this prgram cecs ieraiall raie iivials wih lcalmers gai a beer ersaig he lcal jb marke i heirel r ccpai, ewrk, a lear mre ab secr-speciclagage a pressial pracice i Caaa.

Getting started in a new communit, with its new

culture, languages and customs can be tough. Finding

emploment, learning a new language and gaining

recognition or oreign education and credentials are

major challenges that man newcomers ace. London

cannot aford to lose out on skills and talent o ournewcomers. Are we providing the right supports?

GETTING STARTEDIN OUR COMMUNITY

Lina Rivas has participatedin the Spanish-SpeakingGardeners project or twoyears now. “You connect withyour new culture when youplant your own ood,” shesays. “We spend un timehere as a amily. It’s the bestway to experience summer.”

“Lots o people tell

us that this hasbeen good or theiramil. The’re

getting out intothe garden insteado sitting at home

watching TV.”

Growing Good Food

and Good Friends

Fr he 2001-2006 peri immigrai, he L CMAimmigra emplme raewas 12.4% cmpare 11.9% r oari a 12.3%r Caaa.

unEMPLoyMEnt RAtEoF IMMIGRAntS

CIty oF London’SIMMIGRAnt PoPuLAtIonBy REGIon oF BIRtH

53% L’s immigras cmerm Erpe, 15% rm Asia, 10%

rm he Mile Eas, 7% rmCeral America & he Caribbea,5% rm Arica, 5% rm nrh America, 4% rm Sh Americaa 1% rm Asralia & oceaia.(2006 Cess)

MIGRATION

In 2007, theLondon CMAshowed a net gain

o 1,228 personsdue to people

moving withinthe province, lost766 persons to

other provinces,and gained 2,419persons due to

internationalmigrations.(Saisics Caaa)

AduLt EnGLISHLAnGuAGE LEARnERS

there are apprimael 1,800 alESL learers acrss he thames ValleSchl Bar regi a apprimael3,000 al Eglish Lagage Learersacrss he L disric CahlicSchl Bar area.

(thames Valle disric Schl Bardirecr’s Aal Repr 2009; Cere rLielg Learig, L disric CahlicSchl Bar)

VISIBLE MInoRItIES &LAnGuAGES SPoKEn

I he 2006 Cess,14% he Ci L’spplai was a visiblemiri. the p velagages spke areSpaish, Arabic, Plish,Prgese a Frech.(Saisics Caaa)

(Saisics Caaa)


IMMIGRAntPoPuLAtIon

Immigrasacce r22% al pplai he Ci L

cmpare wih 28%r he prvice. (Saisics Caaa)

22%




Margaret Mead amously said that

the actions o a small group o committed citizens can change theworld. When a recent WatershedReport Card by the Upper ThamesRiver Conservation Authority(UTRCA) identied poor waterquality at Medway Creek,local citizens stepped up.

“The local people know thewatershed better than anyoneelse and they’re passionateabout making improvements,”says Teresa Hollingsworth,Coordinator, Community andCorporate Services or UTRCA.Medway Creek Watershed, a 185 km2

area running rom Granton toLondon, is just one o UTRCA’scommunity-based watershedrestoration strategies that involveslocal residents, city sta and

researchers rom The University

o Western Ontario.

Building a community-based strategystarts with a public meeting topresent research ndings and, moreimportantly, learn rom the peoplewho live there. Next, a citizen-ledadvisory committee identies keyaction areas such as improving waterquality, increasing sh habitat andghting erosion. UTRCA coordinatestechnical support, gradually backingaway as the advisory committeestarts mobilizing volunteersto plant trees, work with locallandowners to remove barriers inthe river and increase sh stocks.

“Our biggest role is one o community capacity builder. It’samazing what you can accomplishwhen you sit down at the table

together,” says Hollingsworth, noting

that the process oten connects citysta and residents or the rst time.Many advisory committees evolveinto permanent “riends o”volunteer groups who organizecommunity activities year-round.

Environmental health is one o London Community Foundation’sstrategic granting areas and helpinggroups like Friends o MedwayCreek get started is a priority. Theoundation provides seed moneyto und a similar community-basedwatershed strategy in Dorchester.

“Local money absolutely makes itpossible to leverage provincial andederal unds,” says Hollingsworth.“Any improvements we make resultin improvements in the Great Lakes. We’re all connected.”

London Community Foundation’s Clean Air Challenge *

Evirmeal gra prgram, prvies sppr r ew, gree ieasr prcs a/r services ha emsrae sigica peial rpsiive evirmeal impac air qali i L.

Reorest London’s Greening Our SchoolyardsPlanting Project *

Whe pare assciais cl make raisig r rees apriri e her cmmimes, Reres L seppe i prchase a pla rees a shrbs a 20 schls.

Pollution Solutions in the Coves Subwatershed *

this sccessl prgram hrgh he chari Fries he Cveswas esige egage resies i he preci e L’sms evirmeall sigica area.

Daily Bread Goes Green! *

Wih his gra, dail Brea F Bak was able prchase a blksppl resable bags. Emplees td Caaa trs/Accrecver a ra maageme eparme raise a aiial $610wars he gree case a he merchas i he cmmi seppei – wih Gar rm Gar’s n Frills i L sppliga aiial 1,400 bags.

Urban League o London Endowment Fund *

this , hse a L Cmmi Fai, will esreha he Leage has he acial resrces cie is wrk imprvig he qali lie i L.

What else you should know:

About Air Quality: Air is b b gegraph b r chices aec r w cmmi a hse ar s. drive less,especiall rig peak rac peris, a ake pblic rasi r carpl ge ar.

Water Quality: A glass L rikig waer is ese asaegare a mch mre rigi saar ha ble rikigwaer bgh i sres.

For more inormation:

· Clear newrk – www.cleare.l.ca· Rehik Eerg L – www.rehikeergl.cm· Ps Carb L – www.pscarbl.ca

From the air we breathe to the ground we walk on, a

health and sustainable environment is critical to the

well-being o our communit. Is ours sustainable?

ENVIRONMENT

Committed CitizensChanging the World The Friends o Medwa

Creek are replacing a stand

o ding, non-native Jack

pine with various native

trees and shrubs at WeldonPark. The orest creates a

natural ltration sstem

and cleans the water b the

time it reaches the creek.

“Water is one o our most

important assets,” sas

David Potten, a volunteer.

“We’re invested in creating

long-term impact.”

WAtER QuALIty

Phsphrs is a rie haeables algae blms. Phsphrslevels i he thames River areavrable i ha he eceesrace waer qali bjecives.

the Ci crrel remves 89% he phsphrs i sewage a level 0.55 mg/L. this is beerha he Miisr Evirme’sapprval reqiremes. (Ci L)

AIR QUALITy

In the London

CMA, there were

two das abovedail maximum

threshold levelso ozone in

2009, belowthe 2001-2009

period average

o 16.1 das.(Saisics Caaa)

WAtER ConSERVAtIon

I he L CMA i 2007, 66% hsehls se lw-fw shwerheas, which is 1.5% higher ha heprvicial average 65% a 6.4%higher ha he aial average 62%.I 2007, 53% se lw-vlme iles,which is 12.8% higher ha he prvicialaverage 47% a 35.9% higher hahe aial average 39%.

(Saisics Caaa, Hsehls a heEvirme Srve 2007)

WAStEMAnAGEMEntI 2009, i he Ci L, 42% wasewas ivere awa rmlall sies. (2008 – 41%)(Ci L)

42%

WAtER ConSERVAtIonA lwfw shwerhea ca

save 42,000 lires h waereach ear – egh ll abackar swimmig pl.

I 2007, emissis rm privaevehicle perai per capia iL (CMA) were eqal 2,015 kg Co

2gases. this was

15.1% abve Caaa’s average

emissis per capia 1,751kg Co2eqivale gases a

15.1% abve he prvicialaverage 1,750 kg Co

2eqivale gases.

(Saisics Caaa)

GREEnHouSE GASEMISSIonS FRoMPRIVAtE VEHICLES

ABout CLIMAtECHAnGEIlig r ver 10

secs ses mreel a prcesmre C0

2cmpare

resarig r egie.





CoMMunItIES PuBLISHInG VItAL SIGnS In 2010

Cmmi Fai r Kigs a Area

Cmmi Fai Meicie Ha aSheaser Albera

Cmmi Fai nva Scia - Lebrg C

Cmmi Fai oawa

Hamil Cmmi Fai

La Fai Gra Mreal/the Fai Greaer Mreal

L Cmmi Fai

Re deer a disric Cmmi Fai

Sbr Cmmi Fai the Calgar Fai

the Greaer Sai Jh Cmmi Fai

tr Cmmi Fai

Vacver Fai

Vicria Fai

Waerl Regi - Kicheer Waerl Cmmi Faia he Cambrige a nrh dmries Cmmi Fai

THANK

yOULondon’s Vital Signs report would not be

a realit without the working support and

contributions rom countless individuals,

organizations and businesses rom across

the communit. We would like to ofer our

sincere gratitude to all or making London’s

Vital Signs 2010 a success. Special thanks

to Bonna Bourne or her leadership on

this project.

Joan Atchison, London Police Services

Sally Bennett, Middlesex County

Wilma De Rond, London District CatholicSchool Board

Evelyn Crosse, Middlesex-London HealthUnit

Victoria Esses, The University o WesternOntario

Ross Fair, City o London

Jane Fitzgerald, Children’s Aid Society

Laverne Foran, Children’s Aid Society

Chris Harrington, Upper Thames RiverConservation Authority

Theresa Hollingsworth, Upper ThamesRiver Conservation Authority

Ann Hutchison, The University o WesternOntario

Gary Kay, University o Guelph

Steve Killip, Thames Valley District SchoolBoard

Anne Langille, WIL EmploymentConnections

Alan Leschied, The University o WesternOntario

Lynne Livingstone, City o London

Kelly McManus, United Way o London &Middlesex

Christina Nurse, London Public Library

Steve Pellarin, Small Business Centre

Jim Refe, Middlesex London

Health Unit

Je Robinson, Thames Valley District

School Board

Howard Rundle, Fanshawe College

Chris Smart, The University o Western

Ontario

Carrie Smith, Children’s Aid Society

John-Paul Sousa, City o London

Terry Spencer, London District Catholic

School Board

Jay Stanord, City o London

Angela Sutton, Fanshawe College

Bill Tucker, Thames Valley District School

Board

Peter White, London Economic

Development Corporation

Je Wright, Fanshawe College

Kate Young, Thames Valley District School

Board

Gerda Zonruiter, City o London

Contributors

London Communit Foundation Board

Corporate Supporters

London Communit Foundation

Advisor Council

Richard M. Ivey, Honorary Director

Lorraine Ivey Shuttleworth

Honorary Director

John Nicholson, Chair

Jeannette Eberhard, Past Chair

Antony D. (Tony) Abbot

Tima Bansal

Donna BourneKate Brown

Peter Dillon

Geno Francolini

Hans Jonckheere

Dr. Jack Jung

Peter Kryworuk

Patrick O’Neill

Franco Paron

Gerry WheatonFraser Wilson

WE BELIEVE In:

Philahrp, especiall hrgh cmmi ais, as•

a pwerl caals r sregheig cmmiies i Caaa

a ar he wrl

Visiar leaership ha welcmes ivaive appraches,•

bils sreghs, mels iclsiveess a akes

apprpriae risks

Cllabraive relaiships - amg members, vleers,•

sa a her rgaizais - ha respec iepeece

a iversi, a ha ser ialge a sharig ieas

a eperieces

ope a accable pracices ha refec he highes•

pssible saars perrmace as a membership

assciai a as a leaer i prmig philahrp.

Communit Foundations o Canada (CFC) is the

national membership organization or Canada’s

Communit Foundations. Together, we are the

Canadian movement or communit vitalit,

represented b 174 members rom coast to coast.

CFC was established in 1992 to connect and support

this growing network o local oundations.

ABOUT COMMUNITYFOUNDATIONS OF CANADA

Bill Brady

Ann Lowery

Len Macdougall

Tom Mitchell

Barrie Neal

Judith Rodger

Robert Siskind

Diane Y. Stewart

Janet Stewart

Cal Stiller

Gordon Thompson

Lucille Wol

Dr. M. Lee Myers

Brian Hillier Photography

Echidna Solutions Corp

London Free Press

Lashbrook Marketing& Public Relations




TEN REASONS PEOPLE CHOOSECOMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS

oneWe are a lcalrgaizai wih

eep rs i hecmmi, apar a aiwiemveme whsesppr we bila share.

We iei lg-erm ees appriies aives i slisha le rcmmiies gieheir w re.

3

FouR

We ake a bra a iclsive view wha a cmmi is, a prviegras he wies pssible rage rgaizais a iiiaives.

We prvie highlpersal a feibleservice, accepiga wie varie asses a erig

rs maimma avaage.

fve

We build permanent

unds and those

that can respond

to immediate

needs, helping our

communities ensure

vital utures.

6

nInE

We are raspare arepable sewars cmmi resrces,cmmie beigaccable accessiblea respsive.

We believe haiversi is sregh,s we brig he eirecmmi geher simlae ew ieas,bil paricipai asreghe cmmiphilahrp.

8SEVEn

We mliplhe impac gi llars bplig hem

wih her gis.

We bil cmmi viali –he iqe a esseial spiriha frishes whe peplebelieve heir cmmi hls

pssibiliies r evere.

10

2We bring donors

to the table as

communit builders,

working closel

with them to align

their philanthropic

vision with the

communit’s needs.

Cve Gare Marke,130 Kig SreeL on, n6A 1C5

. 519 667 1600e: [email protected]: @LCmmF

www.lc..ca

TAKEACTION

NOWwww.londonvitalsigns.ca

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2010 Vital Signs