I have been busy updating the Bright Beginnings Foundation website and was introduced to an amazing resource. The Low Income Explorer is a map of the density of low income in all of the communities in Canada (including Surrey of course) and is based on Canada Census 2016.
This is what I learned…
Surrey has:
- 517,887 people (seniors, adults, children)
- 75,640 (14.6%) are living with low incomes (LI)
- 23 neighbourhoods that have 42% of their children living in poverty
- 15 of these neighbourhoods have over 50% of their children living in LI families
- 3 out of 4 of the children in one neighbourhood live in poverty
Sources: Census 2016 and Low Income Explorer
Financial hardship and stigmatization are just two of the obstacles they face. Research shows that, unless something is done, the majority will live in poverty their entire lives. The waste of that human potential and cost to our society and community is incalculable and unacceptable.
Looking at these statistics it is easy to become disheartened. While BBF will hardly make a dint in these numbers, it is worth noting that the difference BBF will make in the lives of individual students and their families is immense. A post-secondary education is the best way to break out of the cycle.
