Image credit - Foundry Kamloops

By Michael Reeve

FOUNDRY KAMLOOPS

Foundry Kamloops hopes to open doors in late 2026 as fundraising ramps up

Dec 10, 2024 | 4:47 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops Foundry project is moving closer to having a physical home in the city. Foundry helps youth aged 12-to-24 years old in a hub model, bringing together supports in the fields of mental health, substance use, peer support, social support, and physical and sexual health. Foundry is a provincial initiative, with 35 locations either open or planned in B.C.

Earlier this year, Interior Community Services (ICS) received a legacy donation from one generation to the next as the Community Seniors Centre passed on its location at Desert Gardens to Foundry.

“We do everything from pre-natal to children to family to adult to senior care, community living services, food security, housing — you name it, we do that here in Kamloops and surrounding regions,” said Kamloops Foundry Manager Lisa Johannesen of the work done by ICS.

That more-than-$3 million donation of the space at 540 Seymour Street kickstarted a capital fundraising campaign designed to allow necessary renovations to occur at the site.

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“We are raising money to do this work. We have a goal of raising a total of $4 million for our capital campaign by summer 2025. We are almost halfway there. We have just over $1.8 (million) raised already. We need to raise that additional $2.2 million. We are working very hard behind the scenes to do that,” added Johannesen.

Currently, all of the Foundry services and its five pillars of support are available in Kamloops through the Foundry website and mobile app.

“Interconnected supports that make sure all the services are provided accordingly. And even at times when a youth may not know what they want, we are making sure they are getting the help to make sure they understand which service is necessary for them,” said Mahi, Foundry Kamloops Youth Advisory Committee Member.

“Young people face distinct challenges that differ from those of adults. Anxiety and depression are becoming more and more prevalent in our youth today, and I see these effects every day within my own life. I see them on the university campus. Almost 4-in-5 of newly registered youth report high levels of stress,” added Youth Advisory Committee member Rebecca.

Along with the Youth Advisory Committee, Foundry is working with community stakeholders to shape Foundry Kamloops into a model that fits the city and those who will walk through the doors.

“We are opening doors. I say in late 2026. This is dependent on our renovation schedule. And I want to be clear, no Foundry Centre has ever opened exactly on time,” joked Johannesen. “But we are going to do our best to hit this target.”

Last year, youth in B.C. utilized Foundry services more than 78,000 times to seek help and advice.