- About Youth Vital Signs
- Who We Are
- Background
- Key Findings and Grades
- Arts Scene
- Going Green
- Poverty
- Youth Voice
- Youth Spaces
- Health and Well-being
- Youth Housing and Homelessness
- Education and Learning
- Safety
- Employment and Training
- Transportation
- Culture, Identity and Belonging
- Mobile Text Survey
- Grader Profile
- Differences Among Us
- Youth in Action
- Links to Community and Resources
- Find Us
Key Findings and Grades
HIGHLIGHTS
Across these subject areas, three major themes emerged.
High Cost
“Most young people can’t afford to live a safe and healthy lifestyle in Vancouver…”
– Youth Vital Signs respondent
Vancouver is an expensive city to live in. Some of these high costs, such as housing, are more obvious than others, while the cost of transportation affects where we choose to live, work or spend our free time. When the cost of basic needs is so high, there is little room (and dollars) for us to pay for post-secondary education, cultural or recreational activities.
Accessibility and Awareness
“Vancouver is a great place for youth to be able to speak out, but sometimes we don't know how to get started.”
– Youth Vital Signs respondent
The results show we are aware of social and environmental challenges. We recognize the impact of greenhouse gases and we would like to make a difference. We are also interested in learning about the electoral process. But sometimes, we don’t know how or where to begin. And other times, those systems and processes lack space or room for our voices.
Our Unique Needs
“You’re either a kid and you can’t do anything or an adult and you have to do everything…what do you do when you’re 18?”
– Youth Vital Signs respondent
We need policies and services that reflect the transition between childhood and adulthood. We are not asking for every program or amenity to be ‘youth only’, but we would like some services to meet our specific needs. For example, we need more youth clinics that are open late, and more skills and employment readiness programs targeted specifically towards youth.
Overall, we are optimistic about life in Vancouver. And when we felt disappointed in a subject area, we took time to make thoughtful recommendations to improve things. If there’s one thing to take away from Youth Vital Signs, it is that that we want to be involved in decision-making processes that affect our lives and our city.
MAKING THE GRADE
Here’s a sneak peek of how Vancouver rated. Click to find out more about each subject.
