Background
Youth Vital Signs is a youth-driven research and public opinion initiative that gives a fresh voice to Vancouver youth age 15 to 24.
As a report card on Vancouver from a youth point of view, it aims to increase the influence of youth in public policy and community investment decisions.
Over 1,700 youth graded and identified action priorities for 12 key areas of life in the city in the survey part of the report. Over 3,000 youth responded to a separate mobile text survey (in a single day).
The project was started by members of Vancouver Foundation’s Youth Philanthropy Council, who wanted to give youth a voice on their perceptions and experiences of life in Vancouver. It is modelled after Vancouver Foundation’s Vital Signs for Metro Vancouver, a similar report that mainly surveyed adults.
A committee of 19 youth, called the Youth Vital Signs Leadership Council, directed the project.
Many community partners provided valuable support and mentorship to the Council, including a variety of sponsors who made this project possible.
We hope this is just the beginning. This report is an opportunity for dialogue and a chance to hear what young people have to say about life in Vancouver.
Youth Vital Signs is a different kind of report. It’s created by young people for young people, to raise the profile of youth voices in the city.