FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Foundry Burnaby Secures Site in South Burnaby
Burnaby, BC – BC Centre for Ability and Foundry BC, in collaboration with Catalyst Community Developments Society, are pleased to announce that Foundry Burnaby has secured a site in South Burnaby. Foundry Burnaby will operate at 6889 Royal Oak Avenue, neighbouring Royal Oak Skytrain Station and a developing urban area close to Metrotown. Foundry Burnaby is located on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) Peoples.
6889 Royal Oak. Image courtesy of Catalyst Community Developments Society.
Foundry Burnaby will provide young people between the ages of 12 and 24, along with their families, free and confidential health and wellness services in one convenient location. Now more than ever, the priority is to offer every young person and caregiver across BC a place to go where they can feel safe and find the help they need, when they need it.
Now that a site has been secured, Foundry Burnaby’s critical goal is raising $2 million to support developing, renovating, and equipping the space for delivering services to Burnaby youth. Foundry Burnaby’s fundraising campaign will complete the one-time funding needed to open the centre, and to tailor its space to the unique needs of the community.
As part of its provincial strategy to improve mental health and addictions care for young people, the Government of British Columbia provides one-time start-up funding to establish Foundry centres, ongoing core funding for service delivery, and grants to support specific program areas.
Foundry Burnaby is a community-led initiative that sees the community as the experts and is governed by community partners, youth, and families on its leadership tables. Moving into the capital development project phase, Foundry Burnaby looks forward to working with partners and the community to transform the space into a warm, welcoming and space that meets the health and wellness needs of youth and young adults in Burnaby.
“We are thrilled to be leading this project, in partnership with a number of other organizations and service providers, on behalf of the community of Burnaby. Acquiring the space required to deliver these critical services is a significant milestone for the project and to meet the health and wellness needs of youth and young adults in Burnaby.” — Joshua Myers, Executive Director, BC Centre for Ability
“Young people need access to age-appropriate mental health and addiction services to meet their unique needs,” said Hon. Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “Once complete, Foundry Burnaby will connect young people with vital health and wellness supports to help them live healthier lives. Foundry centres continue to be an integral part of Government’s work to build a continuum of care that works for everyone, including young people.”
"Thanks to the dedication of the Foundry Burnaby team, led by BC Centre for Ability, a location for Foundry Burnaby has now been secured! This is a significant milestone in creating a safe, welcoming space where young people can access the care and connection they deserve. We look forward to the impact this centre will have on the health and well-being of youth and families in the Burnaby community." — Karen Tee, Foundry Co-Executive Director
“Foundry Burnaby will be a place where young people can feel welcome and safe, where they can access supports and services that will enable them to live their best lives,” said Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley. “Foundry will be a fantastic addition to our community, and we’re so thrilled to see BC Centre for Ability taking another important step forward to bringing these services to Burnaby.”
“Welcoming BC Centre for Ability to occupy the entire commercial space at 6889 Royal Oak is a tremendous milestone for this project. Foundry’s presence will bring vital services and energy to the ground floor of the building, helping activate the site and better connect it to the surrounding community. This partnership reflects Catalyst’s commitment to delivering not just affordable housing, but complete, community-serving developments.” — Scott Dutchak, President, Catalyst Community Developments Society
Catalyst was pleased to be represented in the transaction by Sherman Scott and Kyle Wilson at Colliers International and BCCFA by John Wu and Michael Andrews at CDNGLOBAL.
Foundry is removing barriers and increasing access to quality care through our province-wide network of integrated wellness centres for young people ages 12 to 24 and their caregivers. By bringing together mental health care, substance use services, primary and sexual health care, youth and family peer support, and social services, Foundry makes it easier for young people to find support in their communities. Foundry is possible because of meaningful partnerships with government, youth and family engagement, donor support, and collaboration with community organizations.
BC Centre for Ability (BCCFA) has been delivering quality services for children, youth, and adults with disabilities, and their families, across BC since 1969. BCCFA is the largest community-based provider of child development services in BC and is considered a provincial leader in the field. BCCFA serves clients with a variety of different neurodevelopmental conditions including Autism, ADHD, FASD, brain injuries, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy, although services are needs-based and a diagnosis is not required to access services. With Foundry Burnaby, BCCFA is excited to expand its existing counselling services to include young people specifically seeking mental health and wellness services.
Contact:
BCCFA Development & Communications
Tina.Chiao@bc-cfa.org