More young people facing barriers to employment or education in British Columbia will soon benefit from an expanded employment program provided by Foundry.
With a $9-million investment from the provincial government, the program will extend its services to six additional Foundry centres, supporting youth aged 15 to 24 across the province, the provincial government announced.
Foundry’s Work and Education program offers a comprehensive range of services, including health support, mentoring, education, skills development, and job placement. The initiative aims to help young people achieve their education and career goals through personalized assistance.
“Employment can be a powerful tool of recovery and wellness, which is why we are taking action to help more young people get access to employment services and education,” said Sheila Malcolmson, B.C. Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. “We’re expanding Foundry’s Work and Education program to six more communities, so more young people get life-changing, local and personal employment supports.”
What the program does
The program provides individualized support, including one-on-one counselling, workshops, and access to post-secondary education or certification programs. This approach aims to help youth explore their interests and develop the necessary skills to succeed in the labour market.
“I’m excited about the Foundry Work and Education program expanding because it will mean that more young people across B.C. will have the opportunity to pursue their dreams and make them a living reality,” said Kasey M., a Foundry client. “I feel so grateful that a place like Foundry exists, a place that is committed to championing the wellness needs of young people and creating a safe and supportive environment where everyone is welcome exactly as they are.”
Reaching new communities
The expansion will add services to Foundry centres in Squamish, Williams Lake, Cranbrook, Surrey, Langley, and Port Hardy. These centres join existing ones in Abbotsford, Campbell River, Kelowna, North Shore, Prince George, Vancouver-Granville, Victoria, Ridge Meadows, Penticton, Richmond, Terrace, and the Comox Valley. The program is also accessible through Foundry’s virtual services.
Since its launch in 2021, funded by a $5.1 million contribution from the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, the program has supported approximately 550 young people annually. With the new funding, Foundry anticipates supporting over 800 young people each year, enhancing their social and emotional well-being, improving employment readiness, and helping them achieve success in the labour market.
Foundry operates as a province-wide network of youth wellness centres, providing free and confidential services such as mental health care, substance use support, physical and sexual health care, social services, and youth and family peer supports. Currently, there are 18 centres open, with 17 more in development.
“Young people are being supported on their pathway to a meaningful career,” said Ronna-Rae Leonard, MLA for Courtenay-Comox. “Foundry is a leader in our communities, and this investment will give youth and young adults access to the supports they need as they transition to adulthood.”
Tanya Timbers, a youth employment specialist at Foundry, emphasized the significance of the program’s holistic approach. “Well-being can often mean different things to different young people, but I’ve witnessed first-hand the enormous role that a purposeful path forward in education or work can play in complementing and further supporting a young person’s mental-health journey.”
The funding for this expansion is part of the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement. The province has invested nearly $75 million over three years through Budget 2023 to enhance Foundry services and expand its network, solidifying its role in B.C.’s primary and mental-health care system.