Abbotsford residents are being asked to take part in an online survey that will be used to compile data on significant social and economic trends in the city.
The survey will lead to the first Abbotsford Vital Signs Report, which is being produced this fall by the Abbotsford Community Foundation (ACF) in partnership with the Abbotsford News.
The public can complete the survey from now until Sept. 3 at fluidsurveys.com/s/abbotsfordvitalsigns/
It asks residents to give a letter grade (A, B, C, etc.) in response to questions related to the issues in the report. Everyone who participates in the survey will be entered into a draw, taking place Sept. 17, for an iPad Mini.
Abbotsford is among more than 20 community foundations across Canada that are producing Vital Signs reports, which will be released Oct. 1.
ACF executive director Susan McAlevy said the report will promote awareness of community issues and be used by Abbotsford for social planning, by citizens and philanthropists to identify community needs and strengths, and by the ACF and other funders to inform its grant-making and leadership activities.
McAlevy said the report will look at seven Vital Signs issue areas this year, and another six in 2014. This year’s issues will be revisited in 2015.
This year’s issues are: the gap between the rich and the poor, housing, health, getting started (focusing on youth and those who are new to the community), belonging, learning, and food security.
McAlevy said the next two years will establish some baselines to help ACF and other funders “in terms of measuring how our community’s efforts in addressing the gaps are doing.”