The snapshot report includes a brief summary of changing demographics and population growth, health indicators, employment rates, education and student achievement, income and accessibility to basic needs among residents in the region.
“This snapshot report represents the start of an ongoing commitment to learn the changing needs and opportunities in the Valley,” said Sharon Closius, President & CEO of the Valley Community Foundation.
“This snapshot report represents the start of an ongoing commitment to learn the changing needs and opportunities in the Valley,” said Sharon Closius, President & CEO of the Valley Community Foundation.
“A comprehensive community index will be published next year, which will include the data of a statewide wellbeing survey conducted by DataHaven and the Siena College Research Institute. Your answers are critical in helping us paint an accurate picture of the Valley. Please answer the call.”
Snapshot focuses on range of factors
Last year, VCF hosted an advisory committee of key stakeholders and nonprofit organizations to discuss critical focus areas affecting the Valley and to define the scope of this snapshot report, which expands upon the 2010 Valley CARES Quality of Life Report. This snapshot looks at a range of factors affecting quality of life and wellbeing in the region, which includes the five towns served by VCF: Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton, as well as Beacon Falls and Naugatuck.
Snapshot focuses on range of factors
Last year, VCF hosted an advisory committee of key stakeholders and nonprofit organizations to discuss critical focus areas affecting the Valley and to define the scope of this snapshot report, which expands upon the 2010 Valley CARES Quality of Life Report. This snapshot looks at a range of factors affecting quality of life and wellbeing in the region, which includes the five towns served by VCF: Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton, as well as Beacon Falls and Naugatuck.
The addition of these two towns, which were included in the region as part of the All-American City Award in 2000, will help provide continuity and a historical comparison to the study of economic, health and education trends within the region.
The full 12-page snapshot report is available at www.valleyfoundation.org.
According to the preliminary snapshot report, the Lower Naugatuck Valley has seen a rise in overall population since 2000, but a decline in families with young children and the under-18 population in general.
According to the preliminary snapshot report, the Lower Naugatuck Valley has seen a rise in overall population since 2000, but a decline in families with young children and the under-18 population in general.
Just over half of all Valley adults report being in good health. Performance of the Valley’s economy is in line with the rest of the state, and the report indicates that the Valley has a strong middle class. A third of all Valley residents, however, struggle to afford basic needs such as food and housing, and student achievement varies widely between schools in the region.
Valley residents who follow VCF on its Facebook and Twitter accounts will get the latest information from the 2015 Valley Snapshot report and ongoing survey.
Data collection for this snapshot was provided by DataHaven, a nonprofit with a 25-year history of collecting, sharing, and interpreting public data for effective decision-making throughout Greater New Haven and Connecticut.
Data collection for this snapshot was provided by DataHaven, a nonprofit with a 25-year history of collecting, sharing, and interpreting public data for effective decision-making throughout Greater New Haven and Connecticut.
DataHaven, in conjunction with the Siena College Research Institute, will be conducting a statewide survey over the next few months. Data from its 2015 Community Wellbeing Survey will be featured in the Valley’s community index report, which will be published in 2016. Residents are encouraged to pick up the phone (calls will come from a 518 area code) and take the time to answer the survey questions, as each participant will contribute to high-quality, meaningful data collection.
About Valley Community Foundation
Established in 2004, the Valley Community Foundation distributes hundreds of thousands of grant dollars each year to support the local nonprofit sector and the people it serves. In addition to grant making, VCF works in strong partnership with The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, to promote philanthropy in Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton.
About Valley Community Foundation
Established in 2004, the Valley Community Foundation distributes hundreds of thousands of grant dollars each year to support the local nonprofit sector and the people it serves. In addition to grant making, VCF works in strong partnership with The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, to promote philanthropy in Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton.
To learn more about how your gifts of cash, life insurance, appreciated stocks, bonds, real estate, and other assets can help to support the quality of life in the Valley, contact Sharon Closius at sclosius@valleyfoundation.org or 203-751-9162. Follow VCF on Facebook at www.facebook.com/vcfct and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/vcf_ct.
This is a press release from the Valley Community Foundation.
No comments:
Post a Comment