BELONGING & ENGAGEMENT
Participation in civic life contributes to the wellbeing of our community and to our sense of connection to one another. By engaging, we foster leadership that helps build and maintain a vibrant community.
A Nourishing Welcome
Belonging & Engagement
A Nourishing Welcome
The Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society (VIRCS) offers support and services to newcomers settling in the Greater Victoria Region. This year, they received a Victoria Foundation Community Grant for their Welcome Garden program. This multifaceted initiative helps foster a sense of community engagement while bolstering food security for racialized communities.
“The Welcome Garden is an oasis within real life and the workplace, creating a safe and inclusive space where people can connect, learn, and feel a sense of belonging,” says Cenit Muñoz, Welcome Garden Program Manager.
The Welcome Garden program started eight years ago in response to food insecurity and challenges faced by the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) immigrant and refugee community. It provides access to community gardens to grow ingredients for culturally preferred dishes, runs food and garden literacy programs (theoretical and hands-on), and hosts multicultural potlucks. Children are always welcome to reinforce inclusion and encourage connection.
SPONSORED BY
Aryze
Vital signs citizen survey grade
B-Last year's grade was B-
Belonging & Engagement
Vital signs citizen survey grade
B-Sustainable Development Targets
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TARGETS
CHARITABLE GIVING
Tax filers who made charitable donations in 2022
GREATER VICTORIA Down from 22% in 2021
BRITISH COLUMBIA
CANADA
2022 Median donation in Greater Victoria
$520
Below BC median ($550) in 2022
Well above the national median donation ($380) in 2022
SOURCE: STATISTICS CANADA
POLICE-REPORTED HATE CRIMES
POLICE-REPORTED HATE CRIMESIn 2023, there were52POLICE-REPORTED HATE CRIMES IN THE VICTORIA CMA, a rate of 12 per 100,000 population
Up from the region’s 2022 rate (9.3) and on par with BC’s rate in 2023
Lower than the rate across all CMAs (14) in 2023
The region’s hate crime has doubled from 4.2in 2019 to8.5in 2020 and has risen steadily since then.
Police data on hate crimes reflect only those incidents that come to the attention of police and that are subsequently classified as hate crimes. Fluctuations in the number of reported incidents may be attributable to a true change in the volume of hate crimes, but also to changes in reporting by the public because of increased community outreach by police or heightened sensitivity after high-profile events.
SOURCE: STATISTICS CANADA
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TARGETS
16.3: Promote the rule of law and ensure equal access to justice for all
16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms
BELONGING, ENGAGEMENT, AND WELL-BEING IN CANADA
In 2023, Community Foundations of Canada released its national Vital Signs report, Reconnecting Communities, drawing on results of the 2022 Social Capital in Canada Study, conducted by Environics Institute for Survey Research. According to the national report:
People’s feelings of belonging are going down
Since 2013, a strong sense of belonging has dropped 12%.
29% of people do not have close friends in their community, while 8% of people have no close family and 12% have no close friends at all.
50% of two-parent families feel like they live in a close-knit community, but only 32% of lone-parent families feel the same.
22% of people who have experienced high levels of discrimination do not have someone they can depend on, compared to 8% of people who have experienced no discrimination.
31% of people who are financially insecure do not have someone they can depend on, compared to 8% of people who are financially secure.
People are less engaged in their communities.
Since 2013, the proportion of people engaging in community groups has declined by 19%, and the proportion of people volunteering has declined by 12%.
Despite years of the pandemic, people are resilient
SOURCE: COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS OF CANADA
COMMUNITY IN FOCUS
BC NON-PROFITS UNDER PRESSURE
BC’s non-profits are grappling with soaring demand, skyrocketing costs, and fixed capacity, according to the latest State of BC’s Non-Profit Sector Report, a survey of 558 BC non-profits, including 67 in the region.
In 2024, the sector reported decreases in all revenue sources, except government funding, which remained stable, and spending increases across the board. Over the previous 12 months:
- 84% of respondents reported higher overall expenses.
- 75% reported increased spending on salaries and benefits, 66% on programs and services, and 68% on administration.
- 76% reported increased demand for services and support from clients and communities.
- 39% reported capacity to deliver programs and services stayed the same.
- 29% reported decreased volunteer involvement.
The State of the Sector report series is a collaboration between Vantage Point, Vancouver Foundation, Victoria Foundation, and the City of Vancouver. Vancity Community Foundation and United Way BC joined in 2023.
SOURCE: VANTAGE POINT, VANCOUVER FOUNDATION, VICTORIA FOUNDATION, CITY OF VANCOUVER, UNITED WAY BRITISH COLUMBIA, VANCITY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Arts & Culture