Our Mission

Vivo is a charity on a mission to ignite healthier generations. Our vision of a healthier future includes people with good mental and physical health, connected to their communities and living on a healthy planet.

Who We Are

Since 1997, from our home base in North Central Calgary, we have offered accessible, inclusive spaces and programs that promote healthy living. Community members come to us for community events, swimming, skating, climbing, group fitness,  summer camps, preschools and more. We also serve as a platform for more than 50 sport, cultural and community groups.

We know not everyone sees themselves as an athlete, but we all benefit from physical activity and social connection. To ensure everyone feels welcome and shares in the benefits, we work with the diverse communities we serve to explore how to remove barriers to people moving and connecting more.

That’s why, through our Collaboratory, we work alongside communities to apply leading practices in community engagement, social innovation and people-centric design to co-create, test, measure and scale innovative community health solutions. This has led to innovations such as the Vivo Play Project (www.vivoplayproject.com), which got participants moving 22% more and connecting with each other 24% more.

The Need

Lack of physical activity is a major health concern in Canada. According to Statistics Canada, only 16% of adults and 9% of children and youth meet Canada’s Physical Activity Guidelines. This can have serious consequences for health and well-being, leading to an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, anxiety and depression.

We serve communities where 40% of residents are immigrants and 1 in 2 identify as person of color.  We know from research by the Calgary Foundation that immigrants who have lived in Calgary longer report poorer health than recent immigrants.

How You Can Make A Difference

Learn more about our work creating healthier generations at www.vivo.ca or contribute to support accessibility or innovation at Vivo.

Accessibility 

In fall 2023 we opened the doors to a $62 million expansion. Now with your help, we can ensure everyone in Calgary can access those spaces to get moving and connect with their community.

Donate to our Everybody Plays Subsidy Program, and you ensure that everyone can participate, regardless of income. 100% of your gift will provide subsidized memberships for Calgarians on low incomes. Help level the playing field today for a deserving child or family today!  

Innovation

Our world is changing at a breakneck pace. Climate change, rapid technology shifts and other societal shifts mean we can’t keep falling back on the solutions that left us with the mental and physical health challenges we face today. 

Donate to our Collaboratory and you help unleash the wisdom and creativity of community to design, test and scale innovative health solutions that get Calgarians measurably moving and connecting more!