Kamloops is set to become a Foundry community.
BC Mental Health and Addictions Minister Sheila Malcolmson announced a future facility that will provide access to mental-health and substance-use supports for those aged 12-24.
Malcolmson says foundry’s are absolutely essential so we can catch small problems before they become big ones.
“Foundry will be a real beacon of hope for young people in your community and surrounding areas. When foundry opens its doors youth ages 12-24 and their families can get free confidential age friendly supports. This is a centre and a delivery of service that is designed for young people by young people.”
“Examples are mental health and substance use services, primary and sexual health care and youth and family peer support. When a young person makes the courageous decision to recognize that they need help, to step forward and ask for help, they will be met at Foundry with dignity and respect in a place that is designed exactly for them.”
The Province will be providing annual funding toward operations and services at Foundry Kamloops, as well as one-time funding of $1 million toward the establishment of the centre.
Val Janz is the Chief Operating Officer, Interior Community Services – the lead agency for Foundry Kamloops – says the hope is to open the facility in 2024.
“If anyone has 10,000 square feet downtown, it’s what we’re looking for. Really our youth surveys indicated that location wise downtown or that lower Sahali area would be the best location for all youth to access Foundry,” Janz said. “Timeline will be as soon as we can find a place. So get the feelers out. There is probably renos and things to do, but optimistically I would say early 2024.”
Janz notes how over the past couple of years we have been dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic combined with the opioid crisis and it has really highlighted the need for enhanced social and medical services and peer support for youth.
“Foundry Kamloops will provide a single access point for youth and their families to get their needs addressed in a timely and coordinated manner,” Janz added.
In addition, Foundry provincial virtual services can be accessed from anywhere in the province through the Foundry BC app, by phone or foundrybc.ca/virtual.
Kamloops will become the 22nd Foundry community in BC.
