SONS – A Brief History
SONS is a group of dedicated people wanting to make a difference in our community.
During the 1990’s we had local Health Councils, which gave us an opportunity to provide local input and to provide the Council with an awareness of the needs in the health community. SONS President Jean Leahy was on the first Health Council, which pushed hard for the creation of long-term beds, leading to the construction of Heritage Manor I and Heritage Manor II retirement housing in Fort St. John.
It was a painful time for a number of our families as there was a shortage of long term beds in the North Peace and many loved ones had to be placed in Dawson Creek or Pouce Coupe. It tore couples apart causing a lot of grief. If the spouse left at home could not drive, it made the 50 mile drive seem like 500.
The drive for more beds picked up steam. A plan was put together for the North Peace Care Project.
More beds were to be built and additions were to be made to the North Peace Care Facility. Nothing happened. There was no money for facilities. Statistics proved that we would continue needing more beds in our area, and so the fight began. The group of concerned citizens that would eventually become SONS applied for Society status and held information sessions. It made the community sit up and take notice. SONS members attended every meeting and public event that they could to spread the word—trade fairs, Select Standing Committees, PRRD, among others.
SONS continues to advocate for infrastructure to help seniors living in Northern BC to age-in-place.