Foundry Penticton provides mental health assistance to youth

PENTICTON – Penticton youth needing assistance with mental health issues have a new place to turn to for help.

Foundry Penticton opened it’s doors officially this morning, July 4, at 501 Main St., with B.C. Minister of Health Judy Darcy on hand for the official opening ceremonies.

“Foundry centres provide a safe and judgement-free environment where youth can feel comfortable asking for help and accessing the services they need,” Darcy said in a press release.

“With the opening of Foundry Penticton, young people in the Okanagan have access to another one-stop shop, in addition to Foundry Kelowna, to receive the important services they need to not only survive but thrive,” she said.

Foundry Penticton will offer increased access to co-ordinated mental health and wellness services and supports, providing walk-in primary care, peer support, walk-in counselling, mental health services, housing and employment services, legal advocacy and substance-use counselling.

More services are planned for the centre, including a sexual health clinic, income assistance and access to opioid agonist therapy.

The total project cost for Penticton Foundry of $1.2 million includes $200,000 from government, $400,000 from grants and donations and $600,000 through OneSky Resources, operators of the facility, in partnership with the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen.

Penticton Foundry is the eighth such facility in the province.

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