At United Way Simcoe Muskoka, we make data-driven funding decisions to reduce poverty across our region in the most impactful ways possible. Much information is gathered by sitting at cross-sector community tables, but we also conduct surveys, community consultations and initiate, collaborate and consult on community research projects. Here are the community reports that UWSM has led or supported within Simcoe Muskoka.
This Vital Signs report focuses on North Simcoe and area (Midland, Tiny, Tay, Penetanguishene and includes Christian Island and the Township of Georgian Bay). In March of 2021 North Simcoe and Area surveyed youth in the region asking questions about their understanding of community and what youth saw as the most pressing challenges. Next to the pandemic, youth pointed to Affordable Housing, Climate Action and Mental Health as major concerns. With this in mind, this Vital Signs team started gathering data early in 2022, asking questions, identifying resources, and talking to folks working with
those most affected.
The Simcoe Muskoka Community Profile focuses on areas in Simcoe County and the District of Muskoka. Statistics and detail provided cover topics including individuals living in poverty, demographic composition, and the needs both met and unmet by municipality.
This second Vital Signs report measures the health and vitality of Muskoka communities and identifies trends in various sectors that are indicative of quality of life. Due to the impacts of COVID 19 the Muskoka Community Foundation did not hold any community stakeholder conversations leading up to the 2021 Muskoka Vital Signs® Report. The Foundation has collected updated data in collaboration with multiple local sources. Where possible the report will identify trends emerging since the original 2018 report.
The Analyzing 211 Rural Unmet Service Needs study is a joint project of the Rural Ontario Institute (ROI) and Ontario 211 Services (211 Ontario) to undertake an exploratory analysis of 211-caller needs data, focusing on those originating in rural Ontario jurisdictions and those needs logged as “unmet needs.”
A report intended to be a snapshot of our communities, capturing our two larger areas of Muskoka and Simcoe County, as well as the six reporting domains within. This report reached out to a broad range of organizations and community members throughout Simcoe Muskoka.
United Way Simcoe Muskoka is proud to be part of Community Food Centres Canada’s Good Food Organization (GFO) program. Together, this growing network of 400 organizations is fighting for action on the pressing issues of food insecurity, poverty, and inequity.
Visit here to find out more.
