Vancouver, BC November 25: Foundry, a province-wide network of integrated health and wellness services for youth ages 12-24 and their families, is marking 10 years of transforming how young people across British Columbia access health and wellness services. In the most recent fiscal year (2024-25) alone, more than 17,000 youth walked through Foundry’s doors over 83,000 times, seeking support, community and connection. Nearly half those visits were from young people accessing Foundry for the first time.
Roughly 20% of Canadian youth experience mental health and/or substance use disorders; despite effective treatments, with only 22–30% receiving help. Foundry was created to widen access to free support, ensuring no young person has to face challenges alone.
“When we first imagined Foundry, the goal was simple. Develop a way for youth to get help more easily, in a space that was built with and for them” said Dr. Steve Mathias, Co-Executive Director, Foundry. “Ten years later, that vision is becoming a reality. Foundry has become a model for how collaboration between health, social, and community partners can change lives.”
Foundry brings together mental health and substance use health supports, peer support, physical & sexual health care and work, education & community services in one location. Services at Foundry are free and confidential – with no referrals needed. Services can be accessed at Foundry centres, or virtually through the Foundry BC App.
Foundry has 19 centres open, 16 more in development and a provincial virtual service available anywhere in BC. With new centres opening each year and expanding virtual offerings, with this growth, Foundry anticipates they will service more than twice the number of unique youth each year than they are today. By 2030, Foundry is looking to support up to 40,000 young people annually, representing around 200,000 service visits across BC.
“Foundry gives young people a place to turn when they need connection, guidance, and care,” said Amna Shah, Parliamentary Secretary for Mental Health and Addictions. “In these welcoming spaces, youth can build confidence, develop new skills, and feel supported through life’s challenges. Foundry’s work continues to strengthen our communities and help young people thrive, and we look forward to seeing more centres open across the province.”
“I felt very supported — I didn’t feel alone,” shared Danny, a young person who accessed services at Foundry Vancouver-Granville. “For the first time, someone was in my corner helping me through all the different challenges in my life. If you’re thinking about getting support or are feeling alone, please consider reaching out. You’d be surprised how Foundry can help.”
Foundry was founded in 2015 to transform how young people in British Columbia access support. What began as a proof of concept has since evolved into a province-wide network and a national model for Integrated Youth Services. Each Foundry centre is operated in partnership with a local Lead Agency, ensuring services reflect and respond to the needs of that specific community. Lead agencies include regional health authorities and community non-profits, including Indigenous led organizations.
To mark its 10th anniversary, Foundry is launching “10 years, 10 stories, 10 voices” – a campaign spotlighting the young people, families and health professionals who have been part of its journey. A refreshed website is now available to make it even easier for youth to find help and connect to services, locate their nearest centre or download the Foundry BC app.
“For a decade, Foundry has been a place where young people can find understanding, hope, and connection,” finished Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “These centres unite communities to support youth in every aspect of their well-being. As we celebrate Foundry’s 10-year anniversary, we honour the courage of young people who reach out for help, and the dedicated teams who meet them with care and compassion every day.”
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Foundry is a province-wide network of integrated health and wellness services for young people in BC ages 12-24 and their families. Foundry makes it easier for young people to find the care, connection and support they need by bringing health and social services together in one accessible, youth friendly space. Foundry services can be accessed in person at a Foundry centre or virtually through the Foundry BC App, and health and wellness information can be accessed on foundrybc.ca. All services are free and confidential, no referral is required.
Foundry is part of the Government of British Columbia’s strategy to improve mental health and addictions care for young people. Each Foundry centre is hosted by a Lead Agency, with Providence Health Care and St. Paul’s Foundation supporting Foundry’s provincial mission and growth. In addition, many partners and donors provide pivotal contributions to the Foundry initiative.
Learn more at foundrybc.ca, or download the Foundry BC App to connect virtually or visit a centre near you.