01 Nov Vital People/Vital Causes November 2024

Drawing on key data and themes from our Vital Signs 2024 report, we will present a new Vital People/Vital Causes online and in the Coast Reporter on the first Friday of every month.

Vital Cause: Our Vulnerable Communities

On the Sunshine Coast, vulnerable populations face complex challenges, including aging demographics, mental health struggles, homelessness, addiction, and violence against women and children.

The Sunshine Coast Foundation’s Vital Signs 2024 found that 56% of locals reported worsening mental health since the pandemic.

An aging population intensifies these challenges. The Coast saw a rapidly growing older demographic, leading to a higher dependency ratio, with more residents over 65 relying on working-age adults, far higher than for BC as a whole.

Economic vulnerability is also a key concern, with 12.6% of residents considered to have low income status after tax, higher than the provincial rate of 10.8%. Of this, 13.8% of children on the Coast are living in low income households, compared to the BC percentage of 11.4%.

Staff from the Sunshine Coast Community Services Society’s community and police-based Victim Services programs report an increase in the number of people served from 378 in 2020 to 602 in 2023. They put this down to a rise in violent crimes and increase in dating violence.

Vital People: Robert (Bob) & Ellen Smith

In 2000, Bob and Ellen Smith retired to the Sunshine Coast, bringing with them decades of experience working with vulnerable populations.

Ellen began her career as a special education teacher, finding fulfillment working with children. She later served on the BC Teachers’ Executive Board, advocating for equity in the school system. After retiring, Ellen joined the Board of the Sunshine Coast Community Services Society (SCCSS), serving for six years, including one as chair.

Bob built his career as a minister for the United Church of Canada. His final ministry called him to Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, where he worked with people living in poverty and those facing mental health struggles. In retirement, Bob helped secure a permanent home for Arrowhead Clubhouse, establishing it as a support hub for people living with mental illness on the Coast.

In 2017, Bob and Ellen were moved to make a lasting commitment to the community. After selling their Halfmoon Bay home, they donated $50,000 from the sale to establish the Smith Family Fund for Vulnerable Communities. The fund benefits the programs and activities of SCCSS which supports vulnerable communities on the Sunshine Coast.

“We knew we wanted to give something back. We were really struck by the need for services for seniors, those experiencing violence, the homeless, the mentally ill, and other vulnerable populations. We wanted to make an investment to help support projects where the need is greatest.”

Supporting Vulnerable Communities on the Coast

Since 2020, the Sunshine Coast Community Services Society has benefitted from $10,250 in grants from the Smith Family Fund.

Long term support for vulnerable populations in our community is made possible because of Vital People like Bob and Ellen Smith.

If this Vital Cause speaks to you, consider making a gift to the Smith Family Fund for Vulnerable Communities.

For more information on our Vital Signs program, click here.

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Interview and article by Lisa Furfaro.