Inspiration a la JBCP

James Bay Community Project

By Kaye Kennish

I have been sitting in front of the computer waiting for inspiration to strike, and it occurs to me that inspiration itself is a good topic to explore in relation to the James Bay Community Project (JBCP).

One dictionary definition is: "The process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative." People at JBCP are constantly inspired in this way, and here are a few examples:

Volunteer George creates, on a weekly basis, culinary art from whatever donated food comes our way courtesy of Coldstar. His dishes of delight are enjoyed by seniors for lunch at our Seniors Connections meetings. These meetings are also the venue for numerous speakers who talk about their diverse areas of inspiration.

Our Family Resource Centre is the location for the budding artistic inspiration of some of the toddlers and children who participate in our morning drop-ins. We often are honoured to display someone's first painting - who knows what the creator will go on to achieve in years to come?

Our Youth Clinic supports young people who are inspired to explore their challenges and to search for unique ways of dealing with them. This takes a lot of courage.

Our volunteer drivers are inspired to give of their time and companionship to assist isolated seniors to get to medical appointments, while our staff member Marianne demonstrates a lot of creativity as she schedules an ever-changing series of drives.

Our Community Library is chock full of inspirational books. Our art and craft studio encourages people of all ages to work together on their creative and inspirational pursuits.

Our Senior Services workers hear amazing stories from their senior clients of overcoming adversity that gives them inspiration and strength on a daily basis.

Our many fitness and meditation classes offered, see participants breathing deeply and walking proudly with a renewed sense of well-being. Our Tuesday morning singing group for Community Living is an ongoing source of inspiration for our staff, volunteers and participants, with voices and spirits soaring to the heights!

Two other dictionary definitions of inspiration are: "The drawing in of breath; inhalation" and "a sudden brilliant or timely idea." It is interesting to think about the fact that the word "inspiration" refers to both the involuntary act of sustaining life through breathing and an unusually excellent thought that creates something special and outstanding. The former is required for the latter to occur, but perhaps in certain ways the reverse is also true. If we are never stimulated to do or feel something that will make a difference in the world around us, perhaps sustaining our lives and persisting in the face of challenges - just breathing - becomes difficult.

The mundane and the transformational are one and the same, and together they are inspiring. I am fortunate to be part of JBCP, where that fact is demonstrated every day. Please join us as a volunteer, or as a program participant, and/or a donor. On behalf of everyone at the James Bay Community Project, I would like to wish you a very happy holiday season and all the very best in the new year!

Speaking of inspiration...A big THANK YOU to Deloitte employees Hatem El-Lakany, Varina Cowalchuk, Kaitlin O'Connell and Allen Pughe, who spent an afternoon volunteering at the Project. They did a wonderful job of some interior painting touch up and cleaning up our Family Centre playground. What a team! Way to go!!