Burns Lake Carrier Sekani Family Services (CSFS) had their ground breaking last Friday for the new Foundry. It will be located across from Lakes District Secondary School, a strategic and intentional location because the Foundry’s main focus is to help youth.
Foundry Centres are a province wide initiative to provide integrated health services for youth 12-24. The Burns Lake Youth Wellness Centre when completed will include support for health and wellness, a CSFS Youth Services drop-in center, and indoor and outdoor spaces for young people to gather, recreate, and connect with health and social service supports.
Friday's event has been a year in the making for the foundry, after receiving funding from the Province as well as support from donors.
Since partnering with CSFS the foundry has mostly been operating virtually according to Dr. Travis Holyck the executive Director of Health for CSFS.
Dr. Holyck talked with CFNR after the ceremony about the build and what it means for the CSFS as well as Burns Lake youth as a whole. With construction now under way, the hopes are that by winter 24/25 they will be having the grand opening .
Listen to the CFNR interview with Dr, Travis Holyck: