For many young people, the journey of self-discovery can be filled with uncertainty, fear, and isolation. For queer and questioning youth, that path can feel even more daunting – shaped by stigma, misunderstanding, or a lack of culturally safe and inclusive services. 

At times when judgment can feel louder than acceptance, Foundry Richmond is creating a space where all young people can be themselves and show up exactly as they are.  

To Arsin, a gender queer youth connected to Foundry Richmond, safety and inclusion means “being able to comfortably exist as myself and finding people that I can relate to. Feeling seen and also seeing yourself in the people that work there”. 

Foundry Richmond’s commitment to inclusion is reflected through a diverse and culturally sensitive team, multilingual resources, respect for chosen names and pronouns, and intentional programming. The centre is a space where a young person can explore their identity, ask for help without having to justify themselves, and connect with others who remind them they’re not alone. 

“We didn’t want to just slap on a flag and say we’re an ally – we wanted to do more” says Amanda, the clinical coordinator “We are giving it our all, trying to create a safe and welcoming space for youth.” Foundry Richmond offers gender gear (binders, packers, trans-tape), gender affirming medical care, and a therapeutic group run by a clinician for gender diverse youth and young adults. For two summers in a row now, they are offering the “Out & About program”, this program is for clients who are 12-14 and are queer or questioning.,  

Foundry’s youth-led approach means the programs reflect what young people actually need. “They’re leading the ship, they’re guiding their care needs and goals, and I try and meet them where they’re going,” says Alannah, primary care nurse at the centre. 

When Arsin joined one of Foundry’s social clubs, they felt an immediate sense of belonging. “It’s maybe the most diverse group I’ve attended. I’ve formed a really good social circle, and we all keep in touch and we’re all pretty close.”  

They also speak to the centre’s thoughtful approach to care, from the types of activities planned to the attunement of staff and the way they prioritize safety. That care has had a deep impact on Arsin’s mental health, who states “I’ve gotten a lot more confident with transitioning into adulthood and being my own person. I’ve also met my best friend there through the Queer Resiliency group.” 

Richmond is a diverse city, but as Arsin notes, it can still feel isolating for queer youth. 

“I’ve met so many people there who I wouldn’t have otherwise because even though Richmond’s very diverse, it can be hard to find people like myself”.  

They’ve learned about other local services as well, and that spirit of connection is echoed by Alannah, who reflects on the broader impact of collaboration. “You can see how Richmond has grown their services to collaborate with each other and how Foundry has that base to bring them together in a physical space so we can allow for better access [to care].”  

But inclusion isn’t without challenges. Amanda shares that despite their efforts, the team still faces pushback for offering gender-affirming care. The current social and political climate also weighs heavily on youth who have expressed anxiety about what the future might hold. 

“Changing that mindset or that attitude is something I want for this community because there’s such limited resources and we have a lot of clients who are struggling because they don’t feel safe to come out or don’t have anybody to talk to”. 

Despite these challenges, their team continues to take action by educating and informing. This includes outreaches or attending mental health pop-ups.

To youth who are considering reaching out, Arsin and Amanda offer words of encouragement:  

  • “Push past that initial anxiety and it will be ok. People are really welcoming and it’s worth taking that leap of faith” – Arsin 
  • “Don’t suffer in silence. There are people here who want to help” – Amanda” 

Foundry Richmond is showing what’s possible when a community prioritizes safety, inclusion, and belonging – not just tolerance – for queer youth. To learn more about Foundry Richmond, visit foundrybc.ca/richmond. 

Across the Foundry network last year, over 1 in 3 youth (38%, n=8,871) who accessed services identified as sexual minorities (e.g., bisexual, gay/ lesbian, and other queer youth). A similarly high proportion of youth (20%, n=10,869) identified as another gender (e.g., non-binary, agender) This reflects the need for integrated services among equity-denied youth, and Foundry’s role in creating safe, welcoming, accessible spaces for all BC youth and families. Thank you to SunLife and other donors for supporting this significant work, in communities across BC.