OUR DYNAMIC PROGRAMS IN THE COMMUNITY


EVERY STEP COUNTS – THE NEXT STEP TO A STABLE LIFE


Week after week for two years, the Every Step Counts running program has brought together a diverse group of enthusiastic individuals to build their fitness, fun and friendships in a welcoming, non-judgmental environment. Developed in 2009 by the Victoria Foundation, Every Step Counts is facilitated by Victoria Cool Aid Society with support from Frontrunners and The Jawl Foundation.


More than an innovative running program for individuals experiencing challenges with addiction, mental health, poverty, homelessness and other social issues, Every Step Counts provides many of its participants a welcome escape from the difficulties of their daily lives.


Just some of the benefits participants have cited experiencing include longer sleeps, reduced anxiety, weight loss, increased energy and improved moods. Perhaps the most significant benefit to the participants of the program is their renewed ability to believe in themselves.


YOUTH IN PHILANTHROPY (YIP)


Now in its eighth year, YIP continues to be one of the Foundation’s most successful initiatives. Currently operating in seven area high schools,


YIP provides first-hand experience in both philanthropy and community development to students in grades 9 through 12.


Through their experience, YIP students gain a valuable perspective about the Victoria Foundation’s grant making, while being empowered as decision makers and leaders.


Students discuss their values and goals, conduct research and interviews, and carry out site visits to registered charities they consider potential grant recipients.


This process all unfolds through the lens of the Foundation’s annual community report card, Victoria’s Vital Signs®


. Each school’s YIP group


receives $2,500 to distribute to charities of its choice and once a unanimous decision is made, written recommendations are then presented to the Foundation Board for final approval.


In addition to granting, each YIP group also receives a gift of $500 from the Foundation to place in its school’s own endowment fund held at the Victoria Foundation. Annual income earned from this endowment is added to the $2,500 grant provided for the program. The result is annual increased grant making capacity enabling the impact of the YIP program to continue for years to come.


VICTORIA’S VITAL SIGNS®


Since 2006 the Victoria Foundation has produced the annual Vital Signs®


report as a way to inspire


citizen engagement. Simply by starting conversa- tions and motivating people to take action, the report serves as an invaluable learning tool.


By providing these annual snapshots of community vitality for the last five years, the Foundation offers a useful resource by making critical information available about the challenges and opportunities in our community. This information is used as a tool for community knowledge and investment.


Information and knowledge are at the heart of our ability to work with donors to make a philanthropic impact. For this reason, Victoria’s Vital Signs®


has become a widely-used


publication for our Foundation, our donors and many of the charitable organizations,


businesses, schools and local governments working in our community – making the Victoria Foundation a key resource for vital information.


For the second year in a row, the report included a glimpse into the lives of Greater Victoria’s youth – a section made possible by funding from the TELUS Victoria Community Board.


New for 2010’s report is the level of sponsorship by a number of local businesses. Island Savings signed on as the report’s Signature sponsor. The five year partnership is reflective of Island Savings and the Victoria Foundation’s shared commitment to making the Island an even better place to live.


VICTORIA FOUNDATION COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARD


As part of the 2010 Victoria Leadership Awards, the Foundation was thrilled to present its third annual Community Leadership Award to Volunteer Victoria. Recognizing a charitable organization dedicated to inspiring activities that strengthen our community, Volunteer Victoria, the central resource for voluntary action that has been serving the community since 1974, was a very deserving honouree.


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