Checkup

Forthcoming report seeks to present a measure of the County

Do you know your County? Did you know that the incidence of one particularly terrible crime is nearly 30 per cent higher in Prince Edward County than the rest of the province?

On October 1 prepare for a wide range of your assumptions and ideas of the County to be tested. Some myths will be shattered. Preconceived notions will be dispelled. And fact will replace gut feelings.

For the past few months a group commissioned by the County Community Foundation has been busy digging through reports, talking to residents and local agencies as well as burrowing through mounds of data gathered by various levels of government.

On October 1 the Foundation will release the County’s first Vital Signs report. In this report we will find, for the first time, a factual and evidence-supported reading on the condition of the County. Is it safe ? Are we living healthy lives? Do we enjoy equal opportunity? Are we doing a good job of protecting our environment? Is our education system serving our children as well as it should?

These and many other questions will be answered with the release of Vital Signs on October 1. Vital Signs takes a measure the vitality of Prince Edward County and seeks begin new kind of conversation about the issues facing our community and our country.

Vital Signs, once underway, will become an annual checkup on the community—its strengths, weaknesses and opportunities. In this way the Foundation hopes to direct its own energies, as well those of other agencies and philanthropists, toward those areas that are most in need, or, where these resources will do the most good.

Donors and other funding agencies are becoming increasingly discriminating in they way they contribute. They want to see evidence supporting the need, as well as defined measurements of the effectiveness of their contribution. To do this, good data is necessary.

Typcially efforts to thwart crime, develop recreation opportunities and reduce poverty in communities like this one arose from a need identified by an individual or group to solve a specific problem and grow from that experience. And while their efforts were surely valuable and appreciated, there was no way of knowing that the solution, service or program was as effective as it could be, or that a different focus might produce a more widespread benefit. Good data and regular updates help to bring their efforts and planning into tighter focus.

Vital Signs reports are now prepared in over 30 communities across the country. And, as in Prince Edward County, the process is driven and managed by the local Community Foundation. Collectively, the data and findings are compiled each year into a national report that helps decision-makers, philanthropic organizations and government agencies tailor their activities to ensure maximum effectiveness.

After October 1 you will begin to know your County a little bit better.