A former bank in Sechelt will soon host the revitalization of youth services on the Sunshine Coast.
Nearly three years after the province announced funding for a Foundry on the Sunshine Coast, the youth wellness services hub has found a home –– the former Bank of Montreal building at the corner of Wharf Avenue and Cowrie Street, operator Sunshine Coast Community Services Society (SCCSS) announced last week.
SCCSS bought the building and is starting renovations in coming months, said Myriam Juda, Foundry manager at SCCSS. It will be some time (possibly a year or two) before the space is ready to welcome people aged 12 to 24 on the Coast, said Juda, as the renovations from bank to wellness space are extensive.
“If you’ve ever seen a Foundry centre, they’re very beautiful,” said Juda, who highlights that the beautiful design includes engagement with youth.
“It’s not just a health centre…but it’s also really a hangout space for youth, which is an important concept,” said Juda.
“Foundry Sunshine Coast will be a space for youth, designed with youth, and rooted in care,” said Juda in the release.
The Foundry model, which is being implemented around the province, sees safe, welcoming spaces created where youth and their families or caregivers can access free, same-day health and wellness services, according to the SCCSS press release. This includes access to doctors, nurses, counsellors, peer support workers among other services, like homework help.
While it will be some time before in-person services are available here, virtual services are available through the free Foundry BC app, Juda emphasizes. “Youth or parents can download [it] and then can get same day access to services.”
A slate of organizations are helping the Foundry come to fruition, including shíshálh Nation, Vancouver Coastal Health, Pender Harbour Health Centre, School District 46, Sunshine Coast Division of Family Practice and Sunshine Coast Association for Community Living (SCACL). Also heavily involved are youth and family advisory committees, the Local Action Team and other community organizations.
Once the centre opens, the idea is that partner organizations will provide some staffing to the site, said Juda, some staff there permanently, others working a few hours a week depending on need, but solidifying it all is a ways off. “We’re not there yet to have those discussions,” she said.
Longtime community youth advocate Marilyn Baines celebrated the news in the release. “This milestone reflects years of commitment from the Local Action Team (LAT) and SCCSS to address the unique challenges youth face — challenges intensified by the pandemic and the toxic drug crisis, especially in rural communities,” she said. “Getting here is a remarkable community achievement, and the work is only just beginning.”
In 2022, the provincial government announced it is providing annual funding for operations, as well as one-time funding of $1 million to start up the local service. The Minister of Mental Health and Addictions at the time said the Foundry would receive $200,000 in the first year, $500,000 in the second, and $800,000 in the third and so on.
This said, while there is provincial money and other community funders, fundraising will still be needed to bring the Foundry to fruition, said Juda. Information will be forthcoming.
In September, the team will host a celebration to mark the Foundry milestone –– more details to come.
– With files from Keili Bartlet
