When community comes together, powerful things happen.
That truth is materializing in a very real way with the development of Foundry 91原创, an integrated youth support centre coming to 91原创 this year, thanks to the generosity of local donors and community partners.
In Canada, an estimated 70 per cent of mental health problems begin during childhood or adolescence, and while young people are full of promise and potential, they also experience higher rates of mental illness and substance use than any other age group.
By bringing together key community organizations including Fraser Health, 91原创 Memorial Hospital Foundation, 91原创 Division of Family Practice, First Nations Health Authority, 91原创 School District and others, will provide young people aged 12 to 24 access to mental health and substance use support, primary care, peer support and social services.
For 91原创 doctors Leo and Flora Wong, who are raising four children and running St. Luke Family Practice, in addition to teaching medicine at UBC and serving on the 91原创 Memorial Hospital Foundation and 91原创 Division of Family Practice boards, the Foundry 91原创 will fill a vital need.
Leo worked part-time at 91原创 Memorial Hospital鈥檚 Emergency Department while launching the family practice, and he highlights a disturbing increase in stress, anxiety and depression among young people, a trend that requires community-based treatments, supports and counselling rather than Band-aid responses.
鈥�91原创 is not a particularly rich or poor demographic, but anxiety and depression are conditions that transcend every population,鈥� he says. 鈥淕etting some ongoing support has been very challenging. We know that the hospital and ER are resources but otherwise on a long-term basis the treatment for these conditions doesn鈥檛 yet exist in the community.鈥�
Concern for local youth is at the heart of the Wong family鈥檚 support for the construction of Foundry 91原创, including a personal $10,000 donation to 91原创 Memorial Hospital Foundation Foundry initiative.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of suffering out there, especially when you鈥檙e dealing with children and adolescents. When they鈥檙e not dealing well, often the parents aren鈥檛 doing well. Any investment we can make as a community into improving this situation and allowing for more resources is going to be very helpful.鈥�
Today鈥檚 donations have double the impact
Recognizing the significant need, the Township of 91原创 has also committed to match donations dollar-for-dollar up to $250,000, meaning anyone who will have double the impact!
Reflecting on the importance of philanthropy, Leo emphasizes that no matter the size of the donation, it鈥檚 the act of giving that allows us to convey what鈥檚 most important, including health care excellence across 91原创 and for local youth.
鈥淚t鈥檚 really important for the community to take some of that ownership鈥� to say 鈥楬ey, this is important for us.鈥� That鈥檚 where the role of the foundation and the citizens of the community comes in. It鈥檚 important to step forward.鈥�
Donate online at to have your gift matched. The Foundation also makes it easy to , helping raise greater awareness and support.
Learn more about the vital work at Foundry 91原创 at
