A youth hub, Foundry Richmond, is coming to Richmond — as soon as the right space in the right location is found.
Rick Dubras, executive director with Richmond Addictions Services Society, said Foundry Richmond needs a 7,000 to12,000 square foot site with space for groups and individual counselling, a demonstration kitchen and an open, accessible waiting room.
“We want to create something that is very special for young people in Richmond,” Dubras said, adding, “it’s all about the right size, right location, right services at the right time — that’s what we’re trying to create.”
While there are youth services in Richmond, they are spotted around the community, said Dubras. Foundry Richmond will be a walk-in counselling model, so anyone between the ages of 12 and 24 can come in off the street and get immediate help.
“For young people, the window of opportunity (to get help) can be very narrow,” Dubras said.
Services are currently in place in Richmond for youth who have chronic and persisent mental health and addictions health problems that are affecting their ability to function, go to school or maintain personal relationships.
The gap in services tends to be when issues are considered “mild to moderate,” for example, test anxiety, a relationship breakup, trouble at home or a sexual health issue. These youth may not have a mental-health diagnosis, but may have symptoms that could get worse.
Foundry Richmond will have staff from RASS, from child and youth mental health services, a doctor, a nurse-practitioner, employment services as well as other social services.
“The idea is we’re going to co-locate and integrate services across the city in one location,” Dubras said, adding that it will be set up so “young people and their parents can come to one location and access services that day with a walk-in counselling model.”
RASS was announced as the lead agency for Foundry Richmond in September 2017, and the operational budget is pegged at $500,000 per year, funded by the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions.
Like many non-profits, they’ve struggled to find affordable space in Richmond.
