When viewing the vital conditions framework, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the categories and get lost in thinking about your role in changing any one, or many of the conditions in the community. But, if we look at the conditions as an opportunity to speak to the work that we do as a system, it becomes something that feels right in the work that we do day in and day out, and maybe is the least "measured" in the people counting, and knowledge, attitudes and beliefs surveys many of us do...

Thanks for this great article, Gina. When residents of a community develop a sense of agency and the skills to lead change they can make great things happen.

Great reminder of why our work in Extension is important at all levels.

So well said! Extension is in the perfect position to support communities as they build this critical foundation. We need to adapt our reporting systems for including these stories and capturing the outcomes of the systems change work that we are involved in.

Possible indicators for including in planning and producing narrative "stories" and outcome/impact "reports" of social and community change across vital conditions, including belonging and civic muscle, align nicely with a social justice lens. Indicators of change include access (equity & inclusion-who does/doesn't have access & why), agency (intentions and choices), advocacy (voice and skills), and solidarity actions (participates and work toward) for change. The processes of...

Thank you for this post! @Deborah John , I'm not able to access the educator resource you shared with the link, not sure if others had that issue too. Can I look for it online? What's it called?

@Amira, thanks for letting me know! The Social Justice Lens Booklet is available for download at: https://www.bctf.ca/classroom-...justice-lens-booklet