Mar
27
James Bay New Horizons
By Kim Dixon
As I write this the sun is shining and I am hopeful that Spring is just around the corner.
I was away for a week as there was an opportunity to visit friends in their winter home in Phoenix, Arizona. There were more Canuck fans at the hockey game than Coyote fans and Canadians were much louder singing the National anthem than the Americans. It was very heart warming to be away from home and yet the energy and excitement of being a Canadian shone brightly through.
Enough about holidays...
In James Bay we are fortunate to have three community organizations that are providing services for our community. Health services, community programs and activities, support for youth, social activities for seniors, Moms and Tots programs, are just a few of the activities, programs available for our residents.
James Bay New Horizons held their AGM the end of February. We are pleased that we have several new Board members with varied backgrounds. As we make plans for our future and remaining sustainable, we realize that the baby boomers are quite satisfied to come and take part in recreational programs, some social programs such as bridge, language programs and others. What they are not interested in is afternoon tea, volunteering on a regular basis, but always willing to help out on an as needed basis.
What we must realize is that we try to meet the needs of three generations, the senior senior (we have over 15 members that are in their 90's and have concerns about mobility, isolation and facility care.
Then we have the junior senior who are doing all right, still managing their aids to daily living, still able to cook and clean for themselves but have the need for exercise and socialization. They also do not want their minds to match their hair (grey matter) so actively take part in instructional programs, actively taking part in exercise programs to maintain strength and balance and volunteer in order to meet their social needs.
That leads us to the baby boom generation. This group want to come, participate in an activity that is interesting to them. They enjoy the services such as reflexology, Foot nurse, chair massage, detox foot spa, blood pressure clinics, and even legal and income tax preparation.
Is this a duplication of services or is there a need for the community centres to provide these programs in various ways to meet the needs of a diverse community? Only you can answer that question. Each organization is unique or are they? In these economic times is there room for three community organizations? How or what can be done differently to set each other apart?
Over the next few months, the Board at James Bay New Horizons will be making some decisions about the future and what must be done to make our organization more sustainable. We have some ideas and will be sharing them soon. We look forward to being able to meet the needs of the community in a more supportive, diverse way. Our program will be unique and we look forward to serving the needs of the community.
The Board looks forward to addressing the above questions with input from our members and community at large.