Young people will have the chance to not only survive, but also thrive, thanks to a new Foundry centre opening in Maple Ridge that focuses on reaching them early and preventing small problems from becoming big ones.

Foundry Ridge Meadows, as with all Foundry centres, provides young people ages 12-24 who are living with mental health and substance use challenges with a safe and judgement-free environment where they can feel comfortable asking for help, accessing the services they need or finding solutions to their problems.

“Our young people are dealing with immense pressures every single day that are impacting their mental health, including anxiety, depression and substance use,” said Judy Darcy, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “When young people walk through the door at Foundry Ridge Meadows, they’ll be welcomed by warm, caring and qualified staff ready to support them through their struggles, because no one should have to walk their unique pathway to healing and hope alone. I am so grateful to all the community partners and to MLAs Lisa Beare and Bob D’Eith for their strong advocacy.”

The centre will provide a number of integrated wellness services, including physical and mental health care, substance use supports such as counselling, social services including supportive employment, and youth and family peer supports.

“We are excited to have Ridge Meadows join the Foundry network as the ninth centre to open its doors. This community has rallied around its youth and families to improve services, and to make Foundry Ridge Meadows a reality,” said Dr. Steve Mathias, executive director, Foundry. “A lot of work and engagement of young people and families goes into building and operating these centres. What you see today is a testament to an incredible commitment by the community to this new centre.”

The capital renovation costs for Foundry Ridge Meadows totalled $1.4 million. Foundry Ridge Meadows received two government grants – a Foundry capital grant for $400,000 and a capital gaming grant for $250,000. The remainder of the funding was raised by Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows Community Services, with help from the Ridge Meadows Hospital Foundation and many community supporters.

Foundry Ridge Meadows, located at 22932 Lougheed Hwy., is one of nine centres open throughout the province, joining Victoria, Kelowna, Campbell River, Prince George, Abbotsford, Penticton and two locations in Vancouver (Granville and the North Shore), with two more in development in Terrace and Richmond. Work is also underway to expand the Foundry model to 19 centres provincewide. 

The Foundry model is an integral part of A Pathway to Hope, B.C.’s roadmap for making mental health and addictions care better for people in British Columbia. Implementing A Pathway to Hope is a shared priority with the BC Green Party caucus and is part of the Confidence and Supply Agreement.

Quotes:          

Lisa Beare, MLA for Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows –

“This government is ramping up mental health and wellness supports for youth in our region and I couldn’t be happier. With the new school-integrated mental health teams in the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows School District and today’s announcement about Foundry Ridge Meadows, young people in our region will have faster, easier access to the mental health and substance use supports they need.” 

Bob D’Eith, MLA for Maple Ridge-Mission –

 “Community services and programs play a vital role in this region. I am thrilled that the recent $250,000 community gaming grant helped build this warm and welcoming Foundry Ridge Meadows space. This significant investment in our community will go a long way to help better the lives of children, youth and families here and in surrounding areas.”    

Vicki Kipps, executive director, Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows Community Services, lead agency of Foundry Ridge Meadows —

“We are incredibly proud to host Foundry Ridge Meadows and see first-hand the positive impact for youth and young adults as they gain access to responsive and integrated services. We are especially grateful for the support and commitment of service partners, government and donors in our shared commitment to serving the young people in our community.”

Sarah Armstrong, youth advisor, Foundry Ridge Meadows —

“Having Foundry available in our community will impact our youth in a way that will create a positive, healthy minded future.”

Danielle Elder, family advisor, Foundry Ridge Meadows —

“I can't express the gratitude and appreciation for our community in its opening of Foundry Ridge Meadows. I know many youth and families who have struggled with the mental health care system and access to these services, including myself and my child, and I cannot express how beautifully amazing it is that we now have a safe, caring, loving space for our youth and families to receive the assistance and support they need.”

Learn More:

A Pathway to Hope: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/british-columbians-our-governments/initiatives-plans-strategies/mental-health-and-addictions-strategy/bcmentalhealthroadmap_2019web-5.pdf

Foundry: https://foundrybc.ca/