Foundry Centres
Foundry involves over 100 partnerships across the province of BC. The Foundry central office, hosted by Providence Health Care, leads the provincial initiative and supports the development of local centres. Each Foundry centre is operated by a lead agency that brings together local partners, service providers, young people and caregivers. Foundry’s online platform, foundrybc.ca, is powered by BC Children’s Hospital.
In 2007 a small team of psychiatrists at St. Paul’s Hospital in downtown Vancouver decided to take a completely different approach to helping young people. They knew that young people needed better access to mental health and substance use care, and primary health care. Also numerous social issues such as homelessness, unemployment, sexual identity issues and lack of education needed to be addressed. As a result, St. Paul’s Hospital launched the Inner City Youth (ICY) program. With the help of donors, the ICY program was expanded in 2012 and diversified to fully support young people’s wellness – going beyond health and helping young people build relationships and connections to community, peers and resources.
In March 2015, the Granville Youth Health Centre opened its doors. Through the support of the Ministry of Health and generous donors and St. Paul’s Foundation, St. Paul’s Hospital opened the Granville Youth Health Centre as a home for the ICY program and additional services. This allowed the team to reach more young people with an integrated approach to care. The Granville Youth Health Centre was Canada’s first integrated health and social service centre for youth and young adults.
Foundry involves over 100 partnerships across the province of BC. The Foundry central office, hosted by Providence Health Care, leads the provincial initiative and supports the development of local centres. Each Foundry centre is operated by a lead agency that brings together local partners, service providers, young people and caregivers.We provide safe, non-judgmental care, information and resources, and work to reach young people earlier – before health challenges become problematic. Foundry brings health and social services together in a single place to make it easier for young people to find the care, connection and support they need.
By bringing together core services and supports, Foundry will support young people aged 12-24 and their families with easy access to care. Whether a young person needs support for anxiety or depression, wants to see a family doctor or is struggling with a stressful situation, we will help them get the services they need.