Foundry is Expanding!
On June 15, 2020, the Province of BC announced eight new Foundry centre locations joining the Foundry network, which will significantly improve access to health and wellness resources, services and supports for young people ages 12 to 24 and their families across British Columbia.
We will be working with the following eight communities and lead agencies to bring integrated mental health, substance use, primary care, youth and family peer supports, and social services to their communities:
- Burns Lake: Carrier Sekani Family Services
- Comox Valley: John Howard Society of North Island
- Cranbrook: Ktunaxa-Kinbasket Child and Family Service Society
- Langley: Encompass Support Services Society
- Port Hardy: North Island Crisis and Counselling Centre Society
- Squamish: Sea to Sky Community Services Society
- Surrey: Pacific Community Resources Society
- Williams Lake: Cariboo Chilcotin Child Development Centre Association
There are currently nine open Foundry centres across the province in Campbell River, Victoria, Kelowna, the North Shore (North and West Vancouver), Prince George, downtown Vancouver, Abbotsford, Penticton and Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows. There are also two more expected to open in 2020 in Richmond and Terrace.
View a recording of the expansion announcement and read the press release, which both detail the expansion of Foundry’s network to a total of 19 centres province-wide by 2023.
Welcome from Foundry’s Eight New Communities:
Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge, with much gratitude, that our work takes place on land steeped in rich Indigenous history and home to many First Nations, Métis and Inuit people today. We recognize and respect Indigenous People as traditional stewards of this land and the enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories.
The Expansion Process
Our expansion is part of the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions’ “A Pathway to Hope,” strategy, which is the BC government’s 10-year vision for mental health and addictions care that was launched in 2019 to provide British Columbians with the services they need to tackle problems early on and support their wellbeing.
In October 2019, we issued a call for expressions of interest (EOI) from communities across BC. Non-profit organizations and health and social system agencies serving youth were eligible to submit. In total, we received 40 EOI submissions– a moving demonstration of not only the need, but also the resiliency and strengths that exist in BC.
Two independent panels consisting of youth and caregiver advisors and subject matter experts reviewed those submissions to determine a short list of 19 communities who would move forward to a second phase (convening) of our selection process . The convening phase focused on the lead agency’s readiness to successfully open and operate a Foundry centre, and enabled communities to network with each other and Foundry central office and network staff, as well as Foundry’s youth and caregiver advisors.
Below, you’ll find a video which outlines our expansion process!
Services for youth across BC
Our centres will continue to be the place where young people and their caregivers can find the help they need, when they need it, to improve their health and wellbeing – even during this challenging and unprecedented time.
For those unable to access Foundry centres due to physical distancing, location, and/or stigma, Foundry now offers virtual drop-in counselling and peer support sessions using voice, video and chat, and will soon also offer virtual primary care services. Please visit foundrybc.ca/virtual to learn more.
Press
- CTV News| June 14
8 New Foundry Centres Coming to BC
The province is providing new help for youth in BC looking to access mental health services. Eight new Foundry centres are opening, which support thousands of young people between 12 and 24 with health care, peer support and substance use services. - Daily Hive | June 15
BC announces expansion of mental health network for youth
BC youth and their families will have faster, easier access to mental health and substance use supports with eight new Foundry centres to be developed throughout the province. - CTV News | June 15
B.C. opening 2 new youth support centres on Vancouver Island
The B.C. government is opening eight new youth centres across the province, including two on Vancouver Island. - The Squamish Chief | June 15
Province gives $800,000 for Squamish’s upcoming new Youth Hub
As Squamish faces a pandemic and an opioid crisis, the province is providing some help for youth mental health supports. B.C.’s Foundry program for mental health and addictions support is kicking about $800,000 to Squamish’s Sea to Sky Community Services, or SCSS.