You Can Create Change!
No one should be at risk of poor health because of their social and economic circumstances. The You Can Create Change campaign aims to demonstrate how everyone can create change in their community to achieve health equity.
What can I do?
Get informed
- Follow the news. Keep up to date on current events, political issues, and information.
- Follow credible groups for information and debate.
- Be critical of the source from which you receive information.
Start a conversation
- It may be startling to realize there are real differences in health across our communities. Ask yourself and others the following questions:
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- Are these differences acceptable?
- Why do they exist?
- What can I do to make a difference?
- The more we talk about these differences, the more we can figure out our role in creating change.
- Think about your values and discuss the issues that affect you and others in your community with your family, friends, colleagues, or community leaders.
- Be vocal against discrimination and injustice in your community.
Vote!
Governments and elections play an important role in shaping policies that impact all aspects of our lives, including our health. When you vote, you register your opinion on how you think the government should operate. It’s your right.
Decide how you will vote by:
- Visiting the websites of political parties and independent candidates to better understand their platform and promises.
- Comparing your ideas and values with those of political candidates. Find out which platform you most identify with.
- Asking questions to political candidates who come to your door or reach out to politicians by email and social media or at public debates. Ask electoral candidates about the positions and issues that most impact your life and that of your community.
Get involved, volunteer, and give back
Volunteering is an essential part of any strong community. Helping others and giving back to society creates a sense of belonging, improves community connections, and can improve overall community health. A little time and compassion are all you need to help make your community a better place.
Your actions can make a difference in someone’s life.
There are many ways to get involved in your community. Talk with the organizations you are most interested in about volunteering. Public Health Sudbury & Districts’ welcomes volunteers of all ages and abilities.
Other ways you can contribute to a thriving community are to:
- be a mentor in a young person’s life
- donate money or time to your favourite charity, cause, or organization
- become involved with local boards and advisory panels, or begin a new community group
- get to know your neighbours and recognize and support those who may be going through a difficult time
- fundraise
- sponsor an event
- organize pledges (for example, pledge your birthday or special day to a charity)
- donate your slightly used items to local organizations or participate in a clothing or shoebox drive
- donate blood, donate plasma, or become an organ donor
2016 Public Health Champions Award: You Can Create Change
The 2016 Public Health Champions Award focused on the theme of You Can Create Change. The award was presented to a community member, Monique Mercier, and the organization Our Children, Our Future.
Circles Sudbury
Circles Sudbury created intentional relationships between “Circles Leaders” (participants living in low income) and “Circles Allies” (community volunteers who served as their allies). Learn more about the Circles Sudbury pilot project that focused on building relationships between people from all income levels to help individuals and families living in low income.
This item was last modified on June 26, 2023