91原创 Township is putting up $250,000 in funds for a new integrated health and wellness centre for local young people, and is challengin the public to match it.

On Monday, Dec. 13, council voted unanimously to contribute $125,000 a year over two years, in 2022 and 2023, matching every dollar of community contributions towards building the new centre.

Council had considered simply giving the cash towards the project, but Councillor Bob Long moved that the funding be part of a matching fund campaign to aid in raising more money from the community. Coun. Eric Woodward, who had suggested in November that council hear directly from Encompass and the Foundry fundraising team, seconded Long鈥檚 motion.

鈥淲e鈥檙e asking the community to step up and give its $250,000,鈥� Long said.

The 91原创 Foundry has already raised about 60 per cent of the money needed for the physical building, and is still seeking $850,000. If the community raises a quarter million dollars, matched by the Township, they will be more than halfway to their final goal.

Foundry is to be a centre for youths aged 12 to 24, with flexible delivery of a wide variety of services. It鈥檚 meant to bridge gaps in the treatment of physical and mental health services to young people who aren鈥檛 well served by traditional systems.

Once it鈥檚 open, Foundry will provide counselling for physical and mental wellness and substance abuse, Indigenous health services, sexual health and life skills training, career counselling and art classes.

Encompass expects that up to 1,000 youths will access Foundry for one reason or another annually.

A 2020 survey found close to half of those aged 12 to 24 in the Fraser Health region said they needed mental health services, but didn鈥檛 seek them out because they didn鈥檛 know where to go.

91原创鈥檚 Encompass Support Services Society will run the Foundry centre, one of eight planned around B.C.

Planning for a 7,600 square foot facility on Eastleigh Crescent in 91原创 City has already begun. The campaign for the new Foundry was launched in October, and it鈥檚 hoped it will open in 2022. The 91原创 Memorial Hospital Foundation is coordinating the fundraising campaign.

READ MORE: Fundraising to create health and wellness facility for young people in 91原创 gets underway