Calling all young people aged 18 to 30: Communities that Care (CTC) Whistler wants to hear from you.
The organization recently launched a survey aimed at young adults — it can be found at www.surveymonkey.com/r/53pr2ww.
The survey closes Feb. 16.
"We want to find out what they're dealing with on a daily basis, how they're dealing with it and how we can make it better," said CTC chair Cathy Jewett.
"Ultimately we want to make Whistler a better place to live and visit for all people, so we want to make it a better place for the young adults that are coming here... because that group of people has a big influence on our community as a whole."
Survey questions touch on everything from living and working conditions to alcohol and drug use.
The survey is anonymous and confidential. Once completed, users will have the option of submitting their name in a draw to win daily prizes from local businesses that include gift cards, adventure tours and even a day at the gun range with the Whistler RCMP.
The grand prize giveaway is a one-day heli-skiing adventure with Whistler Heli-Skiing.
Names submitted for draw prizes will not be attached to survey results.
The results will be used to improve the quality of life for young adults coming to live and work in Whistler by finding and supporting relevant programs, Jewett said.
"Quality of life is really important," she said. "We want to continue to attract people to come here, not just to play but to work, and that's already been proven as something that needs to be an area of focus."
Most of the survey questions are multiple choice, but many offer the opportunity for people to candidly share their thoughts — and that's where Jewett is hoping you don't hold back.
"Any survey that you have, it's great to pull all the data and see where the numbers are, but when it comes right down to it, at the end of the survey getting those verbatim comments, it's gold," she said.
"That's where we can really take their ideas or their comments and apply them."
She's also hoping the unique international make-up of Whistler's young adult community provides some fresh insight.
"We've got people from all over the world here, and they've got great ideas," Jewett said.
"I hope that we get to hear some of those ideas, and also the things that they've seen that work in their countries and their communities."
The young adult survey comes on the heels of two youth surveys for kids aged 12 to 18 that were completed in the mid-2000s, Jewett said.
CTC is also working on a series of family workshops for both parents and children aged 10 to 14 called the Strengthening Families Program.
The program was initially launched last month, but has since been pushed back to the spring.
"Strengthening Families is a really important outcome of our last youth survey, and I really hope that we have some families that take advantage of it," Jewett said.
"Clearly from our survey results, there are families out there that need some help with learning how to communicate, and also ensuring that they're... just helping kids understand right from wrong.
Contact coordinator Kerry Hannah by emailing kerry.hannah@sscs.ca to register.
For more on CTC Whistler, head to www.ctcseatosky.com.
