Doing things differently
Connecting youth and young adults with resources and care before they are in crisis.
The Foundry centres that were inspired by Providence Health Care’s Granville Youth Health Centre (now known as Foundry Vancouver-Granville) are spreading to additional BC communities to offer young people physical and mental health care, substance-use supports, social services and peer supports, all in the same place.
The Foundry centres offer an early-intervention approach for those between the ages of 12 and 24 who are grappling with health and wellness issues. Some young people may need a doctor or counsellor, they may need to find a place to live, or may just want to speak to someone who understands what they’re going through.
The health and wellness resources and supports are provided both at the centres and online.
From Vancouver to Kelowna to Prince George and beyond in BC, Foundry centres are making it easier for young people to get the help they need right when they need it and in the same place, eliminating the time-consuming process of bouncing from care provider to care provider.
Visitors can see a professional or participate in peer support initiatives at no cost. The centres have caught the attention of other provinces hoping to provide the same seamless care to young people in the future.
Foundry is working to develop 11 centres with six currently open, including the Granville centre.
The Foundry central office, which leads the development of the network of centres as well as other provincial initiatives, is hosted by Providence Health Care. Foundry is supported by the Government of British Columbia, Graham Boeckh Foundation, Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research and St. Paul’s Foundation.
To learn more visit www.foundrybc.ca.
