Story of the James Bay Project

By Jack Krayenhoff

When the Beacon looks at the history of the 'the Project' it is actually exposing its own roots, because it emerged out of that great explosion of civic pride and activity of the 1970's, that took shape and became centred in the James Bay Project. Perhaps the Beacon itself can draw some inspiration from those visionary and productive days!

Hanne Fair is our source of information. She worked at the Project for 21 years, from 1989 when she came on board with her Master's degree in Counseling psychology and a degree in Child Care, until two years ago, when she retired from her position of co-manager, responsible for family support and community services. She helped to steer the Project through many changes, including some dramatic ups and downs, expansions and contractions.

The Project was born in 1973. Earlier that decade the James Bay Community Association was formed by citizens who were upset by the City's plan to make James Bay into a high-density development. Its drive to put a stop to that succeeded, and zoning for single dwellings and duplexes was obtained. Many beautiful existing houses were saved that way. Encouraged by that victory, the JBCA now set its sights on bringing medical and social services to James Bay. First it became involved in the creation of a community elementary school with recreational programs for the benefit of community members.

Next, together with that school and with the local Human Resources office at James Bay Square, it set its sights higher: bringing to James Bay a plan to develop health, education, recreation and human resources. In 1973 it succeeded in establishing a pilot project providing a centre where a medical clinic was integrated with social services. Under provincial legislation, a "Community Resources Board" was established, and the James Bay Community Project, or "The Project" was launched. The vision of community remained the driving force although the Community Resource legislation was later rescinded and JBCP was reconstituted as a not for profit society in 1984.

The Project became the focus of an almost bewildering number of further initiatives, all started in response to needs in the community. Some of these became independent of the Project, for instance the Neighbourhood Environmental Association, the James Bay Market, the Birdcages Housing Society, and the James Bay Beacon itself.

But the most significant aspect of the Project was the vision of health services that saw health as more than the absence of illness, but rather as a state of wellness of the whole person, including his or her social integration. This was the passion and driving force of the leadership and staff of JBCP, and guided the development of new programs all the time. Important among these were the home support services, which (among many other things) helped the physicians keep in touch with patients who could not come to the clinic. Their loss in 1999, caused by decisions from government, left a gap in integrated health care, and was grievous for the central aspect of the Project.

Over the years, many new programs were introduced, mostly social services. Some became superfluous or lost funding and fell by the wayside, but many continue to fill important needs successfully. Examples: the volunteer services, which provide useful employment to large numbers of folk, as well as a place for socializing. Volunteers make it possible to run a myriad of programs, including the library and many health promotion programs, and services for families and youth.

An example of a program that was started was Seniors Connections, which provides speakers on topics like earthquake preparedness, nutrition, macular degeneration etc, while also creating an opportunity for friendships and social connections.

Hanne herself was initially hired as part of a team involved with counselling with high-risk families, mostly dealing with parenting. This team later started the Family Resource Centre, with drop-in and education and counselling programs where parents can come with their children, in a spacious room with good childhood development toys, all designed to support parents with their children's needs, and find a place of community.

It is impossible within the scope of this article to mention all the programs operated by the Project in its history, for their number is prodigious. Its influence on James Bay has been vast, and the sense of community that characterizes the place is no doubt due in large part to all its efforts.

It has been and still is a dynamic centre where nothing remains the same for very long. Take a look at that history, and you can safely guess that Hanne did not have many dull moments. She often says things like "How can I put this tactfully?" or "This is my opinion - others may differ" - expressions that suggest she has had her share of controversy. But through all the ups and downs of the Project, what kept her going was that vision and passion for integrated health services and a community in which everyone has a place. This is how she sums it up: "I have had a wonderful career there!"