Families Love Ms. Flynn By Annie Sylvan From her 5’ 8” willowy frame, Alexandra Flynn personifies dignity, calm and strength. She is blond-haired and blue-eyed. Under the auspices of the James Bay Community Project, Alex co-ordinates the Family Centre, which encompasses Creative Play JBCP, Nobody’s Perfect, and Mother Goose. Born in London, England, in 1949, Alex immigrated at the age of eight to Alberta with her family. She graduated from U of A with a Bachelor of Education and taught elementary school for four years. Alex liked teaching because she is fond of children but did not appreciate the school system’s bureaucracy. Since 1981, Alex and her husband and sons have dwelled in Oak Bay. She studied nursing for two years at UBC. Victoria had no comparable program available at that time. When her second son David was born, her studies ended. It was no longer practical to commute to Vancouver. Now her oldest son Sean is a father and Alex is a proud grandmother. After completing his studies elsewhere, Sean practises dentistry here. “The great thing about living in Victoria is that your kids always come back to paradise!” Alex says. When the JBCP began in 1989, Alex performed outreach counselling and support services with families referred by the Ministry of Children and Families. In 1991, this evolved into the on-site offering of informal drop-in play programs, support and parent education. With serenity and wisdom, Alex oversees the play and learning of an average of twenty-five children during these sessions. As a role model, Alex knows she’s “not perfect, but willing to try.” In an atmosphere of acceptance, compassion, and understanding, parents and children tend to thrive. She says, “If the right soil is provided, seeds will grow.” Alex skillfully acknowledges difficulties and provides positive feedback, further resources and coping strategies. Parents connect and mutually support each other, evoking joy in Alex’s heart as friendships blossom. The Centre is a “place to grow” that is safe, educational, and non-threatening under Alex’s non-judgmental eye. She passionately engages in her vocation and feels fortunate that she can interact, play and meet people during her working day. Alex’s calling suits her personality. Away from work, Alex’s passions include hiking, cooking, and reading. She belongs to a women’s book club that has been meeting for twenty-five years and has developed into a group of close friends. She enjoys drawing and painting and delights in her granddaughter. One of Alex’s goals is to learn more about the art of story-telling. The family centre is blessed by the presence of Alexandra Flynn. Back to Profiles