The announcement made June 15 that a new Foundry Centre was coming to Squamish marked an exciting milestone and new beginning full of hope for youth in our community.
Replacing the now-closed Youth Resource Centre on Buckley Avenue, Foundry Squamish will provide a range of integrated wellness services, including physical and mental health care, substance-use services and peer support, plus a variety of vital social services. That’s in addition to all the recreation programs, social opportunities and resources that Sea to Sky Community Services (SSCS) offered at the former Youth Centre, and continues to offer virtually during the health crisis. At Foundry Squamish, Youth in the community will be able to find the care, connection and critical supports they need, right when they need them – and all in one centrally located, welcoming space.
Once opened, “Foundry Squamish” will forever transform the way that young people and their families access health and social services in the area. At the Centre, every door will be the right door. A youth may initially come into Foundry Squamish to see a walk-in counsellor, but within one appointment discover what they are really looking for is the belonging and connection offered through the youth programs just down the hall or a relationship with that Foundry Peer Support worker who really “gets it.”
And, while SSCS is the lead agency operating Foundry Squamish, this is truly a community-based project with support from many local partners, including Vancouver Coastal Health Authority (VCH), Ministry of Children & Family Development (MCFD), District of Squamish (DoS), School District #48 (SD48), Sea to Sky Division of Family Practice, Options for Sexual Health and Squamish Nation.
Indeed, strong partnerships are at the heart of the collaborative model that the Foundry model is based upon. And, relationships will be at the heart of Foundry Squamish; between the professionals and young people who seek their support and between community partners working collaboratively to offer streamlined care, so youth and families won’t need to repeat their story each time they access a new service.
Youth and families are also our valued partners in the development and operation of Foundry Squamish, as well. We have engaged them for input on the design of the facility to ensure this will be an open and welcoming space for everyone. Youth and families will also be invited to get involved in the development of programs and services in the space through formalized Advisory Committees as we move forward from the design phase.
This is a $1.7 million project that will be a tremendous asset to the well-being and enhancement of the whole community. SSCS will receive up to $800,000 from the Ministry of Mental Health & Addictions (MMHA) to establish the Centre, but we still need support from the community and donors to make Foundry Squamish a reality. Community members can get involved and support the project right now by donating to the Foundry Squamish Capital Campaign and helping us fundraise for the remaining $900,000 to build the facility.
Go to sscs.ca/foundry-squamish to donate.
And, make sure to check in on the SSCS website (sscs.ca) or our social media channels often for updated information and new opportunities to participate in the development of this valuable community resource.
I hope you are all as excited as I am for this new Centre for our youth to open in the Spring of 2022. It is an amazing opportunity for you and your family to get involved in a real community project. Together, we’re building community.
Jaye Russell is Executive Director of Sea to Sky Community Services.
