Interior Community Services has applied for a Foundry Centre for Kamloops and the local School Board is hoping to see that come through.

SD-73 Board Chair Kathleen Karpuk says there are a number of communities that are competing to get one of these centres and there are six set to be launched in the next year. “They are a youth mental health centre that has centralized services. So if a youth and their family have a mental health concern or addictions, this is one place they can go where they should be able to get all their services in once place.”

Karpuk says this can be a huge game changer for people, knowing that you can walk through the door and have all the services and professionals you need would be incredible. “Right now, there’s waiting lists to get into some services. If you have challenges with transportation, having to go to multiple different sites to get access is difficult.”

Karpuk says those in the community are welcome to voice their support for a Foundry Centre. “People should take a look at the websites to see what they’re about. And if you’re interested in writing letters, I know that Interior Community Service would very appreciate as many letters in support of this from the community as possible.”