Mar
31
By Penny Coates
As I finish my contract as executive director at James Bay Community Project (JBCP) and move on to other challenges and adventures, I would like to thank all of you for your ongoing amazing support of the Project. The 75 items recently donated by community members and local businesses for our 2011 Silent Auction are glowing examples of how the people of James Bay come together to invest in children, youth and families and demonstrate your caring for the fragile seniors and other vulnerable individuals in this community. Many of you also responded generously to our Annual Fundraising Campaign which raised over $31,136. to assist with the costs of programs and services. Even more of you support the Project through in-kind donations, volunteer time or shopping at our Community Closet thrift store in the James Bay Plaza. This kind of community investment is key to leveraging other funding including grants and government contracts.
I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the fabulous work done by the JBCP staff and our team of 300 volunteers. The Youth Clinic team that operates out of our Michigan Street site and downtown on Yates Street, provides outstanding health care to youth from all walks of life and in many cases, the team is the lifeline that helps street youth and youth in care get back onto the path of wellness, education, employment, stable housing and re-unification with supportive friends and family. Meantime, our Family Centre team creates that special gathering place for children and families where child development knowledge can be learned and shared, lifetime friendships amongst children and parents are made, and a sense of community and belonging is established. Then there is the awesome work of the JBCP Community Services team - everyday the community service staff and volunteers work magic - bringing smiles to faces and sparkles to eyes of those who need our services and programs. Library books are loaned, visits to homebound seniors are made, medical drives are given, food is distributed, health and wellness programs are run, referrals to other community resources are facilitated ... the list goes on and on ... and each time a meaningful difference is made.
It is because of this collective effort that the Project has successfully survived the challenges of the past year. Despite a projected 2010/2011 budget deficit, the agency will end the year at breakeven or even a small surplus. Despite worries that the health care centre might close and the patients might join the ranks of those without a doctor, we successfully negotiated a transition of the service to the Victoria Community Health Co-operative. Despite loss of significant early childhood funding, the Family Centre continues to thrive and in fact meets the needs of more families than ever before. Despite uncertainties about the changes in provincial gaming funding allocations, we carried on with our community programs and sought other funding to enhance our programs for seniors and youth. Together we focused on our strengths, attracted new expertise and capacity, shifted to more integrated approaches, and drew upon the Project's renowned resiliency. While there are still challenges ahead and lots of work to be done, I leave JBCP confident that the new executive director will have a vibrant, healthy organization to lead. It has been a privilege to be a part of James Bay community for the past 19 months. You truly live in a very special place.