Foundry, an organization dedicated to providing free mental health and substance-use care for youth, is set to expand its reach in downtown Vancouver following a generous donation exceeding $13 million.
The organization announced that a private foundation has gifted them a four-storey building located at 1220 Homer Street in Yaletown. This new space will enable Foundry to significantly enhance its services for youth and young adults in need.
Describing the donation as a transformative opportunity, Foundry expressed gratitude for the chance to revolutionize youth mental health care in Vancouver and beyond. Dr. Steve Mathias, the executive director at Foundry, highlighted that the new building will allow them to double their capacity in Vancouver’s downtown core, addressing the increasing demand for mental health support among young people.
The expanded space will accommodate a wider range of services, including counseling, primary care, peer support, wellness programs, and group activities. This development is crucial in ensuring that youth seeking help for the first time do not get turned away, emphasized peer-support worker Amanda Horn, who emphasized the importance of having enough space and providers to support all those in need.
With multi-million-dollar renovations planned for the Homer Street building, Foundry aims to establish it as British Columbia’s most comprehensive youth wellness centre. Various entities, including the B.C. government and the federal government through the Youth Mental Health Fund, are supporting this initiative. St. Paul’s Foundation is spearheading the fundraising efforts to raise $7 million over the next year to further enhance Foundry’s services.
Through its network of 19 centres provincewide, Foundry offers free and confidential services to youth aged 12 to 24, striving to create a safe and welcoming environment for all those seeking mental health support.