About the Community Foundation of PEI The Community Foundation of Prince Edward Island (CFPEI) was incorporated in 1993, and celebrated its 20th anniversary in August 2013. Over the past several years, the Foundation has grown in terms of endowment building, grant making, and community leadership. CFPEI has sixty-five endowment funds within its investment portfolio of $6.1 million, and over the past several years more than $200,000 in annual grants and ‘flow throughs' to community organizations and groups across PEI. CFPEI is committed to philanthropy as a powerful catalyst for strengthening communities. We envision an Island where communities are active and vibrant and all citizens have access to supports and opportunities to enhance their quality of life. Our broad goals include: Building a strong endowment base; working with donors to build endowment funds that ensure vital futures for communities. Supporting smart and caring communities; bringing donors and community builders together to match donor interest and passions with community needs and issues. Community leadership; engaging the broader community together to better understand community needs and services gaps, and stimulate new ideas and initiatives to address needs. Our Vital Signs Project This is CFPEI’s first effort in conducting a Vital Signs initiative, and we have selected a study area that we believe is vital to the long term health and vibrancy of our Island communities. All the demographic evidence indicates that, as we go forward, PEI will increasingly have a population of more older people and fewer younger people. This suggests that we as a province need to become more strategic in our support and mentoring of our youth. In addition to our Vital Signs Project, other important community building initiatives include: Building the Capacity of the Non-Profit sector. In 2011 CFPEI completed a comprehensive research study of PEI’s non-profit sector. The study report ‘Building the Capacity of PEI’s Third Sector” identified: the social and economic impacts of the third sector within the Island economy; the challenges, needs and opportunities facing the sector. Since the study was completed, some 15 non-profit organizations have come together to explore ways to raise the profile of the work of the sector. CFPEI continues to provide ongoing leadership and support to this initiative. Supporting Smart and Caring Communities. In 2012 CFPEI embraced the Community Foundation of Canada and Governor General Honorable David Johnson’s call to create smart and caring communities across Canada. CFPEI is currently developing its ‘roll out’ strategy, and plans to do a major launch of the initiative in 2014. For more information about the ‘Taking the Pulse of Island Youth’ Vital Signs Report, or other initiatives undertaken, contact the Community Foundation of PEI by: Phone: (902) 892-3440 Email: cfpei@pei.aibn.com Website: www.cfpei.ca
Contents
Message from the President
Message from the President
2
Methodology
3
Key Indicators & Drivers
4
Report Highlights
5
Results from Vital Signs Youth Survey
6
Indicators
2
Education & Learning
7
Employment
8
Health & Wellbeing
9
Housing
10
Food Security, Poverty & Justice
11
Belonging & Leadership
12
Summary
13
Acknowledgements
14
About Vital Signs
15
The Community Foundation of PEI is pleased to be part of the Community Foundation of Canada’s Vital Signs Program. This is the first year that our Foundation has participated in Vital Signs. We see the program as helping us become much more informed and knowledgeable about the important issues and needs in our Island communities, and this will in turn help us be more helpful to our donors who wish to help our communities. For our first Vital Signs initiative we have selected a focus on our Island youth and young adults. The challenges and issues facing young people generally have been quite ‘topical’ in recent years. On a consistent basis, news articles, documentaries, and other studies and reports have continued to appear that call attention to these challenges. As a smart and caring community focused organization, our Foundation is interested in better understanding how things have changed for young people as they ‘transition’ into adulthood. More importantly we are interested in knowing how we as a Foundation, and how we as an Island Community, can better support our young people reach their study, career and employment goals, and become the community and business leaders we need them to be to ensure that our Island communities remain strong and vibrant. We are pleased to present the following summary of our Vital Sings Report ‘Taking the Pulse of Island Youth’. Addressing both the challenges and opportunities noted in the Report will require the involvement and support of a range of stakeholders, including youth, and the Community Foundation looks forward to engaging these stakeholders in future discussions.
Tom Davies President
Methodology Research Team
The ‘Taking the Pulse of Island Youth’ research team included knowledgeable researchers, community leaders, and youth leaders.
Research Approach
Community Engagement Vital Signs sets the stage for a meaningful discussion of issues that are important to a community’s long term health and well being. The intention is to provide a more focused lens through which community leaders and stakeholders can understand needs and impacts in their community.
Data was collected from several information streams, including: • National statistical data bases including most recent Statistics Canada profiles • International, national, provincial, local reports and studies • Interviews with key stakeholders and community leaders • An on-line survey of Island Youth
‘Taking the Pulse of Island Youth’ is intended to set the stage for a dialogue within our Island community. How can the collective WE better prepare and support our youth to take their place as our future community and business leaders on PEI?
Research Focus – Island Youth
Goals:
Study Cohorts: • Age 15 - 19 – setting the stage • Age 20 - 24 – getting prepared • Age 25 - 29 – becoming engaged
Study Indicators: • Demographic profile • Education • Employment • Social determinants – ‘drivers’ behind positive outcomes • Connectiveness and engagement
Research Outcomes
The Key Questions: • How prepared are Island youth for the challenges of education, employment and life in their communities? • How well engaged are youth? • How satisfied are youth with their study, work and community engagement outcomes?
• to distribute the report to key stakeholders • to begin a dialogue • to engage youth in the dialogue • to seek new solutions
Engaging Youth: It is clear that many of our youth are ready to be engaged in the discussion . Over 200 young people readily responded to our Vital Signs youth survey expressing their views and perspectives on their fears and hopes for their future. A vehicle needs to emerge to channel their interests, ideas, and energy.
3
KEY INDICATORS & DRIVERS
Health & Wellbeing
• Physical • Mental • Emotional
Preparedness Engagement Satisfaction
Education & Learning
Social Determinants
• Literacy • Numeracy • Interpersonal skills • Life skills
• Socioeconomic status • Housing • Food security • Crime
Connectedness & Belonging Employment
4
• Labour force participation • Wages & income • Unemployment rates • Career planning & gaining experience
• Sense of belonging • Civic engagement • Volunteerism
Getting a closer look As part of the research methodology, key drivers of success were identified and examined. ‘Success’ is taken to be the level of preparedness, engagement, and satisfaction youth feel they have. The drivers are broken down into a variety of indicators. (Selected indicators were included in this report.) Health & Wellbeing Physical, mental, and emotional health indicators were explored, including rates of mood disorders, self-reported quality of health, having a family doctor, as well as substance use habits and incidence of addiction. Education & Learning To gauge preparedness, student achievement in literacy and numeracy was examined, as well as their interpersonal and general ‘life’ skills. Inclusive learning, student retention, and completion rates were also examined. Social Determinants Indicators such as housing, food security, crime socioeconomic status were explored, including: patterns in median income, low income vulnerability, the need for affordable housing, and food bank use. Connectedness & Belonging To understand these drivers, the self-reported sense of belonging among youth, rates of volunteerism, and engagement through voter turnout were tracked. Employment A number of indicators were explored for this major area of concern among young people: rates of employment and unemployment, labour force participation, wage and income patterns, educational attainment and its effect on employment outcomes, and the sense of readiness for the workplace.
5
RESULTS FROM VITAL SIGNS YOUTH SURVEY Main Concerns
Bright Spots
102
Lack of jobs and meaningful employment: this was by far the most frequently noted issue for the youth in the older age cohorts
27
Sense of community closeness and vibrancy: on many levels young people noted this as a positive feature; several noted the province’s increasing cultural diversity as a plus
62
Surviving on low paying jobs and paying off debt: many young people with jobs view themselves as ‘underemployed’ in relation to their level of education and skill, and find themselves trying to ‘survive’ on low wages while trying to pay off student debt
18
New entrepreneurial opportunities for youth are emerging: young people noted things like new innovative and technical advances in agriculture; new developments and opportunities in the arts and cultural area; the potential of new communication and social media tools to build networks to develop and sustain new businesses
35
Education has not prepared them well enough: this concern was expressed on at least two levels: the quality of the education itself’ and the nature of the education (i.e. didn’t learn or develop the necessary life skills)
16
Volunteerism and contributing to their community youth see themselves having ideas, energy and passion for their community; they want to be productive and make a contribution
23
Drugs, alcohol use and addictions; this issue is currently quite topical and is ‘top of mind’ among many Island youth
13
New Post Secondary options emerging; some new options include: UPEI & Holland College articulation agreements , new programs (e.g. Bioscience, Performing Arts), and on-line study options
16
A prevailing ‘poor attitude’ toward youth: a sense that ‘we are on our own to figure things out’
12
The arts, theatre, music and cultural communities were noted as a growth area; offers new possibilities for youth self-employment
*Numbers indicate the quantity of comments with regard to key themes from survey responses. 137 responses were received regarding concerns, while 127 were received regarding opportunities or ‘bright spots’. 6
Prince Edward Island’s young people are excited about their education opportunities; we have among the highest rates of completion of high school and post-secondary in Canada.
EDUCATION & LEARNING Educational Attainment
In Prince Edward Island, over 91% of young people aged 2024 have completed high school. By the time they are 25 - 29, almost two thirds of Islanders have completed some form of post-secondary education. For the population over 25, PEI has the 2nd highest provincial rate of postsecondary attainment in Canada at 47%.
Student Performance
In the 2009 PISA tests, Students in PEI performed at the lowest levels in Canada in reading, mathematics, and science. Prince Edward Island has the highest proportion of ‘low achievers’ and the largest gender disparity in reading. Measures are being taken in schools to improve literacy at the elemantary school level.
FACTS
4/5
Inclusive Learning
Students with learning disabilities are well supported in PEI. School programs provide strong supports to help them meet their potential. Similarly, students with physical or cognitive disabilities were the most integrated into regular classrooms, and experienced the least pronounced literacy gap in the country.
Tuition Costs
Prince Edward Island had the lowest, and slowest rising, tuition rates in the Maritimes. PEI is also one of the only provinces in Canada to offer a zero interest rate provincial student loan, easing the burden of debt on graduates. However, our cost of learning –affordability based on family income –is among the highest in Canada.
YOUTH VOICE Proportion of public schools that offer breakfast and snack programs to students
Young people tell us they want their education to better prepare them not just for more school, but for the workplace and ‘real life.’ This may mean: career counselling, cooperative education, work placements, or adapting the curriculum to include a focus on life skills, critical thinking, and problem solving. 7
With unemployment rates well above the national average and low median income, employment is a major concern for young Islanders. EMPLOYMENT Unemployment
Island youth had higher rates of joblessness compared to their peers in other provinces and to rest of the provincial population. In 2011, average rates ranged from 12% for those 25 - 29, to 20% for those 20 - 24, to 21% for those aged 15 - 19.
Wages & Income
On average over the past five years, young adults aged 20 24 in PEI had the third highest median income for their age group in Canada, but Islanders aged 25 - 34 had the second lowest in the country.
FACTS
36% 8
Education & Work
Whether or not you’re a student on PEI can affect your employment outcome. Between 2008 and 2012, Islanders aged 15 - 24 who weren’t enrolled in any form of education were up to 85% more likely to be unemployed than those in school.
Gaining Experience
Young people are concerned about getting much-needed experience and starting out in their chosen career field, but feel alienated and uncertain about their place in the workforce. They want to be given a chance so that they can gain necessary skills.
YOUTH VOICE Unemployment rate of non-students aged 15 19 in October 2012 – the highest rate among PEI youth in the last year
“…the job market is simply terrifying…both experience and qualifications are almost impossible to get, and any intention of working up the proverbial ladder is riddled with discouragement…we often have to leave in order to find adequate employment…”
Young Islanders generally report overall good physical and mental health and wellbeing, but many also note they feel stressed and anxious.
Mental Health
PEI’s youth report lower rates of depression and anxiety than their peers in other provinces. Nearly two thirds say their mental health is very good or excellent, and more than half report very low or no stress.
Physical Health
Young people report better physical health than the general provincial population, but not as good as their peers nationally. Less than half of school-aged youth participate in competitive or noncompetitive sports.
FACTS
3/5
HEALTH & WELLBEING Drugs & Alcohol
While young Islanders have lower substance abuse rates than their peers in other provinces, there is growing concern about the incidence of prescription drug usage among Island youth. This has prompted recent government action on the issue.
Smoking
Smoking rates among Island teens have dropped by one third since 1996, with current rates comparable to the national average. However, Island youth are more likely to be exposed to second-hand smoke at home.
YOUTH VOICE Number of youth who selfreport very good or excellent physical health
Young people on PEI see “lots of opportunities to stay fit”; “participation in sports” and “making healthy choices” are some things our youth are proud to note. Youth see sports and recreation as a good opportunity to be active and feel involved. 9
Young Islanders are staying at home longer than their counterparts a generation ago. Rising debt and home prices, along with low wages, are contributing to the trend.
HOUSING Living at home
Homelessness
More youth are living at home across Canada, and PEI is no exception. Nearly 60% of young adults ages 20 - 24 still lived at home in 2011, along with 24% of those aged 25 - 29. These rates were higher in rural areas.
Homelessness on PEI may be ‘invisible.’ However, a 2010 report estimated that between 200 to 300 youth aged 16 - 18 are temporarily homeless in a given year. There are no youth-oriented shelters on PEI.
FACTS
5% 10
Lone-parent families more vulnerable
One in eight families on PEI is led by a lone-parent. They are nearly four times more likely to have to spend 30% or more of their income on housing than couple families - and they are renters.
Affordable Housing PEI’s family housing authorities provide 463 units of social housing to Island families, but this barely meets half the demand. In most cases, these units are not available to young single adults.
YOUTH VOICE Increase allowed for heated rental units in PEI in 2013. An additional 2% increase was recently approved and announced for 2014.
“The cost of living (aka rent) is too high for the type of jobs that are available for someone starting out. Between student loans and lack of employment, rent is next to impossible.”
FOOD SECURITY, POVERTY & JUSTICE Food Insecurity
Prince Edward Island has the highest provincial rate of food insecurity among families in Canada at 27%, ranging from mild to severe. One in seven young adults aged 20 - 34 in PEI were also moderately or severely food insecure.
Poverty
More than one in four households in PEI where the major earner is 24 or younger falls into the low income bracket. Underemployment is a major concern for young people, who feel stuck with debt and low wages despite their qualifications.
FACTS
86%
Food insecurity and poverty are serious issues for many Island families, and youth are impacted either directly or indirectly. Crime
In 2011, Prince Edward Island was tied for lowest youth crime severity index in Canada. However, PEI was the only province in the country to experience a positive increase in the index from 2011 to 2012, meaning a drop from first to fifth-lowest.
YOUTH VOICE Change in Youth Violent Crime Severity Index from 2011 to 2012, the highest jump in Canada
“... it is difficult to find anything above minimum wage employment which in turn makes housing and adequate nourishment difficult to attain ... making it almost impossible to live on your own, purchase a car, or raise a family�
11
Despite high levels of civic engagement, 71% of youth report that they don’t believe community leaders of policymakers are adequately acknowledging or addressing any of their major concerns
Volunteerism
Prince Edward Island’s young people volunteer at higher rates that the national average and more than any other age group provincially. Sixtytwo percent of Islanders aged 18 - 24 volunteered in 2010, with an average of 99 hours each.
Civic Engagement
Continuing with the historical trends, Prince Edward Island had the highest voter turnout among youth in the 2011 federal election. Fifty-two percent of young people aged 18 - 24 and 59% aged 25 - 34 voted, compared to 37% and 43% nationally.
FACTS
4/4 12
ENGAGEMENT & BELONGING Sense of Belonging
Young Islanders aged 20 - 34 were the second most likely in Canada in that age group to report a strong sense of belonging to their local community, while teens reported a stronger sense than the general provincial population.
YOUTH VOICE Number of most recent federal elections where PEI youth (18 - 34) ranked 1st in voter turnout
“PEI is a great place to get involved and to be able to make connections ... PEI has provided me with lots of potential opportunities to gain volunteer experience”
Community Leadership Group SUMMARY Due to the demographic shift underway between our younger and older age cohorts, can we afford to allow so much ‘slippage’ to continue to occur as our youth make the transition from study, to work, to community engagement? On a number of levels measures have been taken to address various challenges faced by youth; these are important and need to be continued. However, in many ways these measures are a response to a specific gap or need (i.e. after the fact), rather than the result of a conscious strategy to maximize the ‘drivers’, and minimize the barriers, to success. Looking ahead there are important questions to be explored: •Are we preparing youth as best we can through their early education and learning for transitions to post secondary study, work, living independently and managing confidently? •What are some of the ways to maximize their preparedness? •Are we providing our young people with the information and supports needed to ‘sort through’ the decisionmaking processes related to future study, career, and work choices? •How well prepared are young people after graduation? How can we address the disconnects or gaps in workplace preparedness that are evident after post-secondary graduation? •What are the barriers, real or perceived, that prevent some young people from pursuing post secondary study? •How do we capitalize on the skills and contributions that young people have to offer employers? What are the ways to better engage youth early on in meaningful work experience? •What can different stakeholder (employers, communities, youth, government) bring to the table to address issues around persistent youth unemployment and underemployment? •How can we maximize and maintain the interest and engagement that young people show in their volunteerism and community involvement? •How can we ensure that all youth have access to the services and support programs they need? (food aid, housing, addictions and mental health supports, financing education, etc) •How can youth be given a greater voice in shaping their future? Are formal processes and structures needed? We need to better understand how the economic and social context has changed for young people, and the challenges they face. We need to help them see the opportunities, see more positive outcomes for themselves, and build in the supports to help them achieve these outcomes. 13
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS • the 200-plus Island youth who enthusiastically responded to our survey providing their views, perspectives, and ideas. • our researcher Katharine MacDonald who is a young Islander herself, a knowledgeable and skilled researcher, and undertook the research tasks with youthful enthusiasm and passion. • the community stakeholders who took the time to share their views and perspectives through interviews, and providing access to local data, information and studies. • the staff at the CFPEI office who assisted with the project.
Photography Page 7, 12: University of Prince Edward Island Page 8: Innovation PEI Page 9: Tourism PEI Page 10: Google Streetview, edited by Katherine MacDonald Page 11: PEI Flavours Page 15: Katharine MacDonald
14
Vital Signs Team • Danny Gallant: retired public servant - policy and research • Cathy McPhail: MRSB Consultant Researcher • Rob Livingstone: Youth Representative • Tiffany Baxter: Youth Representative • Wendy MacDonald: Research and Policy • Jeniene Peake: CFPEI General Manager
• Steve MacQuaid: CFPEI Board Member & Project Coordinator
CFPEI wishes to acknowledge our partnership with the 25 other community foundations releasing Vital Signs reports this year. These Foundations include:
• Abbotsford, BC • Burlington, ON • Calgary, AB • Cambridge and North Dumfries, ON • Cape Breton, NS • Central Okanagan, BC • Edmonton, AB • Grande Prairie, AB • Kingston, ON • Kitchener-Waterloo, on • Lethbridge & Southwestern Alberta, AB • Lunenburg, NS • Medicine Hat, AB • Mississauga, ON • North Okanagan, BC • Peterborough, ON • Prince Edward County, ON • South Okanagan, BC • Stratford and Perth County. ON • Sudbury, ON • Temiskaming, ON • Toronto, ON • Victoria, BC • Windsor-Essex, ON • Wolfville, NS
ABOUT VITAL SIGNS Vital Signs is a community check-up conducted by community foundations across Canada that measures the vitality of our communities, identifies significant trends, and supports action on issues that are critical to our quality of life. Special thanks to the Toronto Community Foundation for developing and sharing the Vital Signs concept, and Community Foundations of Canada for supporting a coordinated national Vital Signs initiative. For more information visit: www.vitalsignscanada.ca
Community Foundation of PEI For more information about the ‘Taking the Pulse of Island Youth’ Vital Signs Report, contact the Community Foundation of PEI by: Phone: (902) 892-3440 Email cfpei@pei.aibn.com Website: www.cfpei.ca
15
Printing partner for the Community Foundation of PEI
Community Foundation of Prince Edward Island
Connecting Caring People with Worthy Causes