Community Planning for Women's Economic Security in Elgin-St
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Community Planning For Women’s Economic Security in Elgin-St. Thomas PREFACE & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Pathways to Prosperity in Elgin-St. Thomas began with the financial support of Status of Women Canada in March 2012 to advance women’s economic security and opportunities for local prosperity through the following efforts: • Enhance understanding and awareness of barriers and local supports to women’s economic security • Collaborate to identify gaps, priorities and opportunities and implement supports and strategies • Develop a community plan & take specific actions to address the economic situation of women living in St. Thomas and Elgin County Over the past year, service providers and stakeholders from diverse service sectors and municipal governments have come together to form the Pathways to Prosperity Advisory Council in support of community planning for women’s economic security. Their contributions are instrumental in identifying existing services and gaps as well as areas to develop in working towards positive outcomes for women. With the support of the Pathways to Prosperity Advisory Council and community partners, over 600 women from a range of backgrounds in communities across Elgin County participated in consultations and surveys to identify local needs and viewpoints. Women graciously shared their varied experiences of economic struggle and well-being, not only around challenges faced, but also of available supports and opportunities. Reaching out to local women ensures that women’s perspectives are at the heart of a community plan to address their economic needs. We are grateful to the many women, organizations and individuals who have contributed their time, talent and passion to deepen sharing and enhance research, consultations and planning meetings. The research gathered through these efforts is presented in this report. The report begins with a community snapshot and profile that highlights socioeconomic factors impacting women in St. Thomas-Elgin with a focus on economic security and gender-based analysis. The research process to gather additional information around local needs, supports and opportunities through surveys & community engagement is presented along with a profile of the survey participants. Emerging areas of need are identified in building a foundation for women’s economic security to form recommendations that we hope will guide action planning. In moving forward, the continued commitment of service providers, stakeholders, communities and individuals to work together to bring about tangible results for women is vital. Together, we can foster an environment where women can access, acquire and maintain a level of resources that will not only support basic needs of living but afford a quality of life that encompasses their full inclusion. 1 Pathways to Prosperity Advisory Council Members Alfredo Marroquin St. Thomas Elgin Local Immigration Partnership Bernie Wielhe Municipality of West Elgin Candace Parrack Thames Valley District School Board Alternative School Cheryl Simmons YWCA St. Thomas-Elgin – Residence Manager Cora Burns Elgin County Child Care Advisory Committee Courtney Brooke Laurie Elgin St. Thomas Public Health Debra Mountenay Elgin Middlesex Oxford Workforce Planning and Development Board Deisy Vanegas Violence Against Women Services Elgin County Denise Esson Employment Services Elgin & Elgin St. Thomas Youth Employment Counselling Centre Gayle Bogart Township of Southwold Heather Moller Central Community Health Centre Heather Sheridan St. Thomas-Elgin Ontario Works Janet Baker Elgin St. Thomas Public Health Linda Stevenson Community Member Marilyn Crewe Elgin Business Resource Centre Mickie Keefer St. Thomas-Elgin Second Stage Housing Mike Amato Fanshawe College Russell Matthews Municipality of Central Elgin Sean Dyke St. Thomas Economic Development Corporation Selvin Mejia YWCA St. Thomas-Elgin - Settlement Services Shelley Harris YWCA St. Thomas-Elgin – Adult Education & Employment Stephanie Skelding West Elgin Community Health Centre Susan Loewen Mennonite Community Services Vicki Luke Agriculture & Rural Economic Development Advisor Pathways to Prosperity Project Team Kellie Coelho YWCA St. Thomas-Elgin – Pathways to Prosperity Project Coordinator Lindsay Rice YWCA St. Thomas-Elgin – Pathways to Prosperity Project Coordinator Petrusia Hontar St. Thomas-Elgin Local Immigration Partnership & Pathways to Prosperity Research Consultant Pathways to Prosperity: Community Planning for Women’s Economic Security in Elgin St. Thomas is graciously funded by: 2 CONTENTS Snapshot of Demographics of Elgin County and St. Thomas in 2006/2011.........................................5 Economic Security .....................................................................................................................................................7 Gender Based Analysis ............................................................................................................................................7 Elgin County and St. Thomas Community Profile ........................................................................................ 8 Population ......................................................................................................................................................... 9 Labour Market ............................................................................................................................................... 10 Industry ........................................................................................................................................................ 10 Occupations .................................................................................................................................................11 Labour Force Participation ...................................................................................................................12 Employment Rate ......................................................................................................................................13 Percent Unemployed ...............................................................................................................................13 Unpaid Labour ............................................................................................................................................14 Income ...............................................................................................................................................................15 Household and Family Characteristics ................................................................................................. 17 Education ..........................................................................................................................................................18 Health ................................................................................................................................................................20 Housing .............................................................................................................................................................20 Adequate Conditions ..............................................................................................................................21 Suitable Size ................................................................................................................................................21 Housing Affordability ...............................................................................................................................21 Research Method - the research process ...................................................................................................... 22 Gathering Information ................................................................................................................................ 22 Surveys ............................................................................................................................................................. 22 Community Engagement & Consultations ......................................................................................... 22 Survey Participants ...................................................................................................................................... 22 Gender .........................................................................................................................................................23 Age .................................................................................................................................................................23 Area of Residence ....................................................................................................................................23 Income ..........................................................................................................................................................24 Marital Status .............................................................................................................................................24 Education .....................................................................................................................................................25 Building a Foundation - Emerging Areas of Need for Elgin ....................................................................26 Awareness of Services ..............................................................................................................................