Vital Signs is an annual check-up conducted by Edmonton Community Foundation, in partnership with the Edmonton Social Planning Council. Vital Signs Grants turn the knowledge from the previous year’s Vital Signs report into action by providing up to three years of funding to projects addressing issues identified in the report. The focus of Vital Signs Grants will change from year-to-year, to address the findings of the Vital Signs report. Recent reports have focused on youth, Edmonton’s Indigenous community, newcomers and gender equity.
| Organization | Program | Grant |
|---|---|---|
| Boys & Girls Clubs Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton & Area Society | Skilled4Success | $40,000 |
| Post-secondary readiness and pre-employment programs for youth with workplace expectations, job skills training and career options. | ||
| Candora Society | Women's Savings Group for Newcomers | $40,000 |
| A culturally contextual financial literacy program for low income newcomer women. | ||
| Islamic Family and Social Services Association | Global Stitches | $40,000 |
| Embroidery and entrepreneurial training to improve women's skills and to give them the opportunity to sell their products and start their own collective or small business. | ||
| Niginan Housing Ventures | Ispiciwin (The Journey) | $40,000 |
| A program that teaches Indigenous individuals about traditional roles and teachings, explains intergenerational trauma, and teaches coping mechanisms to address anxiety and stress. | ||
| Niginan Housing Ventures | Miyopimatisiwin (Good Life) | $40,000 |
| Cultural services for Indigenous homeless individuals in northeast Edmonton. | ||
| Sage Seniors Association | Employment Brokering for Newcomer Seniors | $80,000 |
| A collaborative that provides one-on-one work search and job carving support for newcomer seniors, complemented by cross-cultural education and bridging between newcomer seniors and employers. | ||
| University of Alberta | Thirteen Moons Collaboration | $9,875 |
| A collaboration of University staff, Okimaw kihêw mêkwanak (formerly Indigenous PFLAG), Edmonton Two-Spirit Society, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and Ceremonial Leaders to explore avenues to engage marginalized Indigenous youth in our community to embrace and excel in their lives, through understanding and addressing cultural and gender equity issues. | ||
Total amount granted: $289,875