Foundry Kamloops (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

YOUTH SERVICES

Foundry Kamloops approaching fundraising goal as they hope to open the youth focused space in 2026

Jul 14, 2025 | 4:45 PM

KAMLOOPS — Foundry Kamloops was first announced in July of 2022 by then Mental Health and Addictions Minister Shelia Malcolmson. Two years later in 2024, Foundry was gifted the future home of the youth centre with an approximately 9,000 square foot space by the Desert Gardens Community Seniors Centre. Now three years since the initial announcement, and following a $400,000 donation from the Stollery Foundation, Foundry Kamloops is in the home stretch of their capital fundraising campaign.

Foundry Kamloops has now raised nearly $3 million towards their goal of $4.5 million to complete expansive renovations, with the expectation of opening the doors of Foundry for the youth of Kamloops next year.

“Those services will range from having primary care, a doctor and nurse practitioner in our space, to counselling, which can be accessed same day by walk-in, social services, community groups,” said Foundry Kamloops Manager Lisa Johannesen. “This is a place that is going to support our young people going forward.”

Foundry is a provincial initiative that offers wrap around supports for youth aged 12-24, with Foundry Kamloops set to bring those services to a physical centre on Seymour Street.
“We are trying to be a really preventive space, we want to get in front of some of the issues that really hit young people in that range of 12-24,” said Johannesen. “So creating a space that is open, accessible, anybody can walk in, low barrier, free, for young people to come, maybe before something is really acute or in crisis.”

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: Getting set for a busy fall session

2h ago

Bill O'Donovan

CFJC-TV anchor O'Donovan announces retirement

Oct 07, 2025

Question of the Week

Have you been personally impacted by the BCGEU and/or CUPW job action?

Oct 06, 2025

As they approach their capital goal, Foundry is planning a fun fundraiser to allow the public to get hands on with the space before construction begins.

“You can’t really hurt this space because it’s all going to go under,” added Johannesen. “So we are going to put paint on walls, on ceilings, on floors. We are going to have some smash spaces, where some of the breakable things, we are going to have designated smash zones, PPE, it’s all safe it’s all good. But we are going to have folks come in and be able to smash stuff and contribute to, lets call it, early demo.”

While awaiting the opening of Foundry Kamloops, youth can still access support services through foundry’s app and website.