To mark its 75th anniversary in the community, the 麻豆传媒映画Foundation is launching a new initiative aimed at fostering community connections.
On Sept. 13, volunteer hosts around 麻豆传媒映画and across the province will open their doors and gather in living rooms and board rooms, backyards and lunch rooms, public places and community spaces to talk with friends, family, colleagues and, in some cases, strangers about issues important to them for On the Table.
The results of those conversations will be collected by the 麻豆传媒映画Foundation and shared with the public.
The inspiration for creating a series of community conversations came out of the foundation鈥檚 2017 report 鈥淐onnect and Engage.鈥� In it, a survey of more than 4,000 people revealed a surprising number of Metro 麻豆传媒映画residents feel isolated in their community. One-third of those between 25 and 34 said they felt 鈥渁lone more than they would like.鈥� And another third said they have trouble making friends. The study also found that the loneliest also reported being in poorer health and lacking trust in others.
The survey results sparked the idea that the foundation鈥檚 diamond anniversary celebrations should be about something more meaningful than a party.
鈥淲e know there鈥檚 no quick fix to cure loneliness,鈥� said 麻豆传媒映画Foundation CEO Kevin McCort. 鈥淏ut we want to do our part by inviting people to come together, meet one another, and talk about the things that matter most to them. That鈥檚 what On the Table is all about.鈥�
More than 230 hosts, including individuals and organizations, have already signed up to host On the Table events. Hosts include big community organizations and small neighbourhood groups, artists and musicians, fall fairs and cultural festivals, local restaurants, small businesses, educational institutions and everyday people who just want to make a connection.
鈥淏eing community-inspired is key to who we are at 麻豆传媒映画Foundation,鈥� McCort said. 鈥淭hat means listening to community and responding to what they care about.
鈥淏ut we鈥檝e never before given B.C. such a wide-open invitation to tell us anything and everything that鈥檚 on their minds,鈥� he said.
The Courier is hosting an On the Table event Thursday, Sept. 13 from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at 303 West Fifth Ave. with the theme 鈥淲hy Local Newspapers Matter.鈥� Come enjoy refreshments and conversation with some of our editorial staff and let us know what you look for in a newspaper.
Those interested in attending the Courier鈥檚 On the Table event are asked to RSVP to聽[email protected] or 604-630-3503.
For more information, or to sign up as a host, visit www.onthetableBC.ca.
