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OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, October 8, 2009 · 16 The Oakville Community Foundation (OCF) is all for community! This means we are all for a community which holds possibilities for everyone. We believe that by people coming together, getting involved in community issues and supporting local charities we can build a strong and resilient Oakville. Community Vitality: that unique spirit that flourishes when people believe that their community holds possibilities for everyone. It's put into action by: The OCF first undertook Vital Signs in 2008 to deepen our understanding and to raise urgent and critical awareness of key areas in our community. From housing to learning, from health to the environment, we looked at the gaps and trends which affect our citizens. Vital Signs 2008 was used as a tool by a number of organizations throughout our Town ­ from budget and strategic planning, to building a case for support for local charities. Individuals also used Vital Signs as a conversation starter and to plan for their family's charitable priorities. Our Vital Signs "community snap shot" seeks to inspire people ­ to create a sense of purpose and hope. By working together, we can build that community which holds possibilities for all. We can ensure people's needs are met, from our most basic needs ­ sustenance and shelter ­ to those that give quality to life, such as places and opportunities to play, learn and create. Oakville Community Foundation is proud to present "Possibilities - Oakville's Vital Signs 2009" Building Community Vitality is the purpose, promise and passion of the Oakville Community Foundation (OCF). Over the past 15 years, the OCF has brought people together, connected donors to community needs and opportunities and helped build strong and resilient places to live, learn, work and play. our community. Together we have given grants of over $12 Million to support community needs and assets. and initiatives. The OCF has supported over 145 local charities. participation and strengthen community philanthropy. We invited and engaged as many members of the Oakville community as we could, both at the professional and citizen level, to help us grade how Oakville is doing on each of the indicators. The survey is not scientific. Its intention is to spark discussion. The graders were asked to evaluate each indicator using the following grades: A: Oakville is doing great! Keep up the good work. B: We're doing well, but we still have some improvements to make. C: Satisfactory, but there is a need for more attention to this issue. D: It's a concern, and we need to do something about it right away. F: We're doing very poorly, and the situation is critical. For more information about the Oakville Community Foundation or the Oakville Vital Signs Report please go to www.theocf.org / www.oakvillesvitalsigns.ca or contact Rusty Baillie, CEO (905) 845-7582. Library Use as Circulations Per Capita {B, 36%} In 2007, the number of books, CD's, and DVD's circulated per capita in the Oakville Public Library System was 12.41. This represents a 9.3% decrease in circulations per capita from 2005. This decrease could be attributed to the increased online presence of library patrons, particularly among students. All people should have access to and support arts, culture, Attendance at Oakville Galleries {B, 38%} In 2008, there were 23,249 attendees to gallery exhibitions and programmes at the Oakville Galleries, an increase of 0.3% from 2007. www.oakvillegalleries.com Oakville Center for The Performing Arts {B, 39%} In 2008, 74% of tickets to the Oakville Center for the Performing Arts events were sold out, a decrease of 9.8% from 2007. Performing Arts Centres in other municipalities reported larger decreases in attendance between 2007 and 2008. www.oakvillecentre.ca Five Year Olds Participating in Arts Programs {B, 32%} In 2006, 41% of 5 year olds in Oakville had participated in a music, arts, or dance program in the past 12 months, compared to 45% of 5 year olds in 2003. Graders' Priority - Volunteers with Organizations Which Received Cultural Grants {Tie: A, 36%; B, 36%} In 2008, the first year of measurement, a total of 45,517 volunteer hours were devoted to Oakville organizations that received cultural grants. COMMUNITY PROFILE Oakville Public Libraries - Bringing people and ideas together The Oakville Public Library provides opportunities for residents to meet each other and experience new ideas - in one of their welcoming and friendly branches, at one of their many programs, or online through their interactive and innovative website. The Library also serves the changing needs of our community as it reaches out to youth, seniors, job seekers, entrepreneurs and newcomers to Canada. The library is truly for everyone! To find out more, go to www.opl.on.ca