Dec
7
Then and Now
By Ted Ross with Anne Milroy
Then...
James Bay, 1973. Times were changing. Industry was moving out of the area. Apartment blocks were moving in. Family homes were being knocked down. High-rises sprung up across from Beacon Hill Park. There was a sense of 'loss of the neighbourhood' in Victoria's oldest residential community.
At the same time in Ottawa, monies were being made available, for eligible groups, through the New Horizons for Seniors Program.
On January 5 a dozen senior residents met at the United Church. Their purpose was to explore the possibility of developing a New Horizons Program in the area. James Bay United Church was mainly responsible for the formation of James Bay New Horizons. Marian Wood, wife of Rev Ken Wood, served as coordinator of the JBNH until 1987.
On February 23 the first 'Friday Forum' was held in the basement of the Church, launching a program which continues today.
By March 31the founding group, under the name James Bay Betterment, had an application submitted to the Department of Health and Welfare for a $40,000 New Horizons Grant. Ambitious objectives were listed, including 'Neighbourhood Beautification' and 'A history of James Bay'.
With their application successful, the first instalment was received by the group on July 24. By August 18a drop-in centre opened in the Cathedral School basement, on Niagara Street, with 90 people attending. This small room was used for seven months. Friday Forum continued to be held at James Bay United.
In March 1974, a new drop-in centre was established at 521 Superior, sharing the first floor of the old house with the Royal Canadian Legion, Br.#127.
In August the group was involved, with the City, in the erection of a bus shelter at Toronto and Menzies Streets. It became the standard model adopted by the City at that time.
September 18, 1974,saw the registration of the 'James Bay New Horizons Society'.
An office fire destroyed equipment and records at 521 Superior on November 29, 1975. The society was forced back to James Bay United Church.
January 1, 1976 witnessed the re-opening of operations at the Cathedral School. This time the entire building was rented. All activities, including Friday Forum, were now in one location.
On December 14 the 234 Menzies location opened, with main hall, office and kitchen space. The $80,000 to acquire the lot had come from the Neighbourhood Improvement Program. The building is city-owned.
November 4, 1977 marked the completion of the first addition including rooms 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Programs were expanded. Membership reached 1103.
'Camas Chronicles' was published November 7, 1978 with a run of 2280 copies, fulfilling the commitment to write a James Bay history. New Horizons keeps a copy in their office. The Victoria Public Library holds copies as well. It's a fascinating collection of reminiscences, well written by local authors, members of the Camas Historical Group, who wrote in the 1970s.
Garden competitions held throughout James Bay lent to the beautification goal expressed by the society's founders. The Green Thumb Garden Club was organized by the 'Gardening and Environment' committee. Through sharing knowledge and having little contests, it was their goal to dress up James Bay.
In November 1982 work commenced on the centre's north extension. Membership was 1069.
January 5, 1983 was a memorable time for the society. It marked the 10anniversary of the occasion when 12 people met to discuss the formation of a New Horizons project in this area. Their deliberations were fruitful. Their wisdom and foresight had placed the society on a solid base for growth. An anniversary party was held in the hall that night.
Activities were many and varied in the early days, from bus tours to language classes to bowling. Membership grew as did the Centre's popularity.
Now..
Now it is 2014. James Bay New Horizons Society is celebrating its 40th anniversary. The activities today are much like those of years ago.
Come in any Friday morning at ten, and Friday Forum will be under way, with its interesting information on every subject imaginable. Such has been the case for forty years. Six days a week the front desk is staffed. Tea and coffee are produced for the various functions. Classes, discussions and activities can be seen and heard throughout the building.
The Annual General Meeting takes place in February, as it did 40 years ago. It is written into the constitution.
One might wonder how New Horizons' operations are managed in 2014.
A nine person board of society members, elected by the membership at the AGM, meets monthly to consider and make decisions on society business.
A salaried Executive Director provides advice and oversees implementation of board decisions. Salaried personnel work under the ED to provide society services, and to clean the house.
A huge amount of volunteer time is required to realize the programs, services, classes and other activities offered at the Centre. Luckily, JBNH members are, and always have been, more than generous of their hours.
The ED keeps the board informed about available assistance and the financial supports that are out there. She makes sure applications are in wherever we qualify for grants, etc.
New Horizons offers several services to members these days that probably weren't there in 1974!
The Senior Reassurance program gives a daily phone call to people living on their own with no family close by. The call reassures the centre that the client is all right. The call comforts the senior that somebody out there cares. This service is handled by compassionate volunteers.
We offer a lending library, foot-care, blood pressure clinic, income tax services, computer help, chair massage, hearing exams, Tuesday hot lunch, Thursday chili lunch, chair exercises, computer access, scooter service, lawyer appointments, Sunday supper, Friendship Tea Hour, and the Senior Support Information Tea.
Again, activities are many and varied in 2014. They range from current events to Spanish classes to the 'favourite book club'.
Fundamental to all work are the volunteers. They greet you at the door. They produce the coffee and tea for different activities from Friday Forum to Current Events. Kitchen work is primarily volunteer, although our Executive Director and the staff don't mind getting their hands in the sink when needed!
Trained volunteers work the Senior Reassurance program. Other volunteers organize and prepare the various teas. Volunteer helpers man the registration desk at chair exercises. At every JBNH activity you will see volunteers, working hard and long. There is an amazing array of volunteers. And so it has been for forty years!
Luckily for JBNH, the City of Victoria has decided to renovate and improve many parts of the 234 Menzies property this year. Upgrades to plumbing, heating and air-conditioning, and the electrical system, have brought things into the 21st Century. That, plus some fresh coats of paint, have the house sparkling.
The Centre is an incredible place!
Bibliography
"The James Bay New Horizons Story 1973-1984" as recalled by Walt Frazer, JBNH, 1984; assorted photographs, JBNH, 2014; "520 Niagara Street", Victoria Heritage Foundation, 2013; "The History of James Bay United Church", James Bay United Church, 2014; "Marion Louise Wood Obituary", Times-Colonist, October 27-30, 2009.