James Bay Community Project

Description

About Us
James Bay Community Project is a community health center which provides Primary Health Care Family Services Community and Volunteer Services and the administration of the Victoria Youth Clinics Our programs and services are based on a broad definition of health and seek to improve community family and individual health through a variety of programs and services for all ages JBCP also provides opportunities for volunteerism and participation in community life and works in partnership with many other agencies and organizations JBCP is a nonprofit society James Bay Health and Community Services Society with a community elected Board of Directors

What We Do
Our Health Clinic provides primary health care to over 2500 patients Physicians advanced practice nurses and complementary practitioners offer services all in one location The Victoria Youth Clinic provides physician and nursecounselor services to atrisk youth

The Family Centre offers a full continuum of programs and resources for families and youth The Family Centre is a supportive child focused place for families to meet learn and play together Parenting child development and family health resource materials are available Programs include early childhood development programs parent education and support groups and counseling services for families and youth

Community and Volunteer Services utilizes a community development approach to build community capacity and participation JBCP has long recognized the value of initiatives that impact the social determinants of health eg housing income supportive social environments etc Community Services contributes to health promotion through integrating clinical services with selfcare and social support concepts Our Volunteer programs offer many opportunities for involvement skill development and social connections with over 200 volunteers participating annually

Mission Statement
James Bay Community Project is a non profit society with excellent staff volunteers and programs committed to serving the health and social needs of our community We provide accessible and integrated services through innovation and collaboration We are a leader in building a healthy community

History

History
In the early 1970s James Bay citizens formed the James Bay Community Association JBCA in response to the City of Victorias proposal for high density land development in James Bay The JBCA was successful in lobbying City Council to zone James Bay for single familyduplex homes thereby saving many existing houses The JBCA went on to become involved in the development of a community elementary school with recreational programming

In 1973 the JBCA the James Bay Community School and the local Human Resources office began meeting regularly to discuss community issues and planning for health education recreation and human resource developments They submitted a proposal to the provincial government for a medical clinic integrated with Human Resources and in 1975 became one of four quotCommunity Human Resources and Health Centrequot pilot projects in BC These projects were legislated by the Community Resources Board Act and responsible for the delivery of health and social services in their local areas In 1984 the Community Resources Board Act was rescinded and JBCP was reconstituted under the Societies Act as the James Bay Health and Community Services Society All James Bay residents over the age of 16 were voting members of the Society and Board members require residency status a governance structure that remains in place today

Over the past 30 years JBCP has operated a variety of programs and services reflecting the changing needs and interests of the community Many of the community initiatives that were developed during this period have gone on to become independent organizations in James Bay eg Neighbourhood Environment Association James Bay Market the Beacon newspaper Birdcages Housing Society In 1990 JBCP bought and renovated the building at 547 Michigan St as part of a dream to house medical home support and community services quotunder one roofquot In 1997 a successful fundraising campaign resulted in the expansion of the building doubling space and allowing all the services of JBCP to be located together in order to increase integration of services