Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Chad Klassen

FOUNDRY BC

Young mothers in Kamloops advocating for a Foundry centre

Nov 15, 2019 | 5:25 PM

KAMLOOPS — A group of young mothers says having one-stop access to social and health services is essential for youth in Kamloops.

The moms, ranging from ages 15 to 23, go to school at First Steps, an education, life skills and parenting program for young mothers who have not graduated high school.

“I believe there’s a lot of youth and young moms who don’t have the resources that they need, so we get put on waiting lists and there’s just a lot of waiting times,” said mother of two Cheyenne Supernault.

They’re hoping the city is accepted by Foundry BC, an organization that provides health and social services to youth 12 to 24. Interior Community Services is heading up the initiative to bring a Foundry centre here.

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“They originated because youth were going into emergency for things like primary health care, sexual health, mental health. It was obvious youth needed a place to go,” said Interior Community Service COO Valerie Janz. “What motivated Kamloops is really we feel that the youth here could benefit (from) having a one-stop-shop.”

Many youths in Kamloops say they have to travel around to multiple locations from the North to South Shore, according to Janz, and they want one place they can go to receive services.

A Foundry centre would offer everything from health care professionals for youth, counselling, and peer support.

“It is up to the community to decide what they need and would like to see,” noted Janz. “Certainly what we’ve seen so far in a lot of the focus groups is that people want access to physicians, drug and alcohol counsellors, sexual health, so things like birth control and STD (care). Family counselling is a big one. Life skills for youth.”

Supernault, who became a mother at 16 years old, would like better access to mental health services for youth.

“I definitely struggled with my mental health as a young mom. I didn’t know how to cope,” she said.

Another young mom, Rayanna Hewitt-Howell, sees a need for basic life skills.

“For young moms, it’s really difficult, so I think we need a lot of help with budgeting, tax credits, just bills and stuff,” she said.

Rayanna and her partner pay $1,100 a month for rent. As a mother of one, there’s not much left over. Having a Foundry centre would provide a huge boost in her life and the lives of many others in Kamloops.