Foundry Victoria opened its new location to the public on Nov. 1.
The new space at 546 Yates St. is nearly double the size of the previous location at 818 Douglas St.
“It’s more welcoming for youth, and we’re really looking forward to serving more youth in this incredible, happy environment,” said Heather Brazier, Victoria Youth Clinic (VYC) board chair.
VYC started as a two-room clinic in 1998, focusing on caring for street-entrenched youth with complex care needs. With growing demands for services, in 2017 VYC became the lead agency of Foundry Victoria, a provincial initiative to support youth and families to access mental health care services.
Last year alone, Foundry Victoria saw a 22 per cent increase in clients being served with 450 new youth accessing services, bringing the centre’s total to 2,500 youth and families.
Along with offering a larger space, the new Foundry Victoria location will add more primary care and counselling staff.
“I’m really excited that we were able to get more primary care people here helping youth at a time when it’s such a struggle for people to find primary care,” said Neeraj Grewal, centre manager. “We have such dedicated staff here who are willing to work, and now we actually have space for them to work.”
The new location includes nearly double the amount of exam rooms, youth-friendly and trauma-informed talking rooms, and group rooms. There are also additional private outdoor patios and a low-stimulation lounge connected to the main greeting area.
“Making sure young people have access to the wraparound supports they need to thrive is critical to building strong and vibrant communities,” said Minister of Mental Health and Additions Jennifer Whiteside. “In this new location, Foundry Victoria will be able to continue to provide vital supports in a low-barrier and stigma-free environment so that more young people and their families can get the support they need, where and when they need it.”
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