BC's Foundry Program looks to expand ... can Prince Rupert make the list?

The Foundry Terrace, the province of BC is looking to 
expand on the assistance program for youth to 
ten new communities in 2024

An important help and wellness program in British Columbia is set to expand, with the Provincial government noting of plans this week to expand the FOUNDRY program to ten new locations, another round of growth for a program that currently is hosted in 16 communities.

Nine more are on the way with planning currently in motion, among the new locations is Burns Lake with work underway on that initiative looking towards an opening in the future.

In an information release from this week, the province outlined the path forward towards the application process for interested communities.

As of Sept. 6, 2023, Foundry is accepting applications from communities around the province that are looking to establish a local Foundry centre. All non-profit and health and social-system organizations serving youth, including First Nations, Métis and urban Indigenous service providers, are eligible and encouraged to apply.

“I am incredibly excited that the day has finally come where we are officially accepting applications from communities across the province – I urge all interested communities to apply as soon as possible. We’ve heard numerous times from people using our services that they would have had nowhere to turn to for help if they didn’t have a Foundry centre in their community. It’s undeniable that Foundry saves lives.” -- Toni Carlton, provincial director for community, culture and connection, Foundry.

As part of the program development, the Province will provide annual funding for operations and services at Foundry centres, as well as one-time funding of $1.5 million to establish them. 

More on the Expansion process for the program can be reviewed here.

The only community in the Northwest so far to be a base for an active program is Terrace, the FOUNDRY location there serving the Skeena Valley from Eby Street offices.

The initiative was announced for the Terrace area in June of 2018 and opened its doors in August 2020.

It's just one tool of many to provide assistance for those  from 12-24 but it's a key part of approach in the Terrace region,  offering a range of services as outlined below:

The program is strong on partnerships, with the Terrace program bringing together a number of local Health and community organizations to help in delivering the services.

You can lean more about the Terrace program here.

The deadline from the province for expressions of interest in the upcoming expansion to ten communities comes up on October 27th.

Hopefully, Prince Rupert's support groups will join together and have an opportunity to make the case for a similar program here; an option to offer local youth that would clearly help to fill a large need for the community.

The full provincial information release is available here.

More notes from the Legislature can be explored here.