YMCA of Northern BC raises $65 200 for the Foundry Capital and Innovation Fund during Conconi Foundation match campaign
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRINCE GEORGE, B.C., May 31st, 2017 – On May 17th, The YMCA of Northern BC announced that the Robert L. Conconi Foundation is matching all donations to the YMCA of Northern BC for Foundry Prince George – up to a total $25,000 until May 31st, 2017.
This morning, David Bird, CEO & President of Integris Credit Union announced a $25,000 donation to the Foundry Capital and Innovation Fund. “Integris is committed to making Life Out Here better for everyone living in North Central BC,” says Bird. “Our investment in Foundry is another example of how Integris enriches community by keeping our profits local. Over the past decade, we have developed a unique partnership with the YMCA and many other organizations doing the heavy lifting of positive community impact,” continues Bird. “It is in concert with these strategic partners that we, as a regional financial cooperative leverage our financial and human resources for the benefit of everyone who calls this place home,” says Bird.
In addition, earlier this month Selen Alpay of Canadian Tire made a $10 000 donation. Canadian Tire owner Selen Alpay says, Canadian Tire is very proud and honoured to support this new community initiative. Foundry, will touch the lives of many youth in Prince George, and will be a cutting edge resource for these up and coming, contributing citizens. Our community is blessed to have both the financial and human resources to bring this project to fruition and its ultimate success.”
These donations will be commemorated within Foundry itself as one of the talking rooms will be named after Canadian Tire and the Spiritual and Cultural Room will be named the Integris Cultural Room. Along with individual donations, including the YMCA Board of Directors, donations to the campaign totaled $40,200. With the Conconi match of $25 000, the final total from the campaign is $65,200. Other donors of over $2000 will be included on the donor wall within the facility lobby.
YMCA of Northern BC CEO Amanda Alexander says “these dollars will help support capital and service innovations including the construction of a spiritual/ cultural room. In our youth and family consultations, we heard clearly the importance of having a safe, sacred space where a range of ceremonies could be performed. Prevention of and healing from mental health, substance use, and related impacts can be supported by meaningful connection to culture.’
Foundry Prince George is one of a province-wide network of youth centres removing barriers and increasing access to care for young people seeking mental health and substance use services, as well as primary care and social services. Funding raised will support the YMCA of Northern BC and its partners in opening its Foundry centre.
Providing young people ages 12-24 with a one-stop place to easily access health and social services in a welcoming space, each Foundry location will have a youth-friendly design, a design that was co-created by local youth, families and youth service providers. With other locations in Kelowna, Campbell River, Abbotsford, downtown Vancouver, and North Vancouver, the centres will build on existing community programs, and will unite local organizations under a single umbrella that will adapt to meet the specific needs of each community.
About The Robert L. Conconi Foundation
The Robert L. Conconi Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2003 with a goal to inspire constructive change in our communities and organizations we support. We focus our giving in four areas: health, poverty, education and arts. For more information visit www.conconi.org.
About Foundry
Foundry removes barriers and increases access to care by developing a province-wide network of wellness centres for young people ages 12-24. Foundry centres provide a one-stop-shop for young people to access mental health care, substance use services, primary care, social services and youth and family peer supports. By bringing together a variety of health and social services under one roof and working in partnership with young people and families, Foundry is helping B.C.’s young people get the help they need when they need it. Hosted by Providence Health Care, Foundry is supported by the Government of British Columbia, Graham Boeckh Foundation, Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research and St. Paul’s Foundation. To learn more at www.foundrybc.ca.
For more information on Foundry Prince George or to make a donation, visit www.nbcy.org.
For further information, please contact:
Stephanie Mikalishen-Deol
Manager of Philanthropy, Marketing and Camps
250 562 9341 ext 108 or Stephanie.deol@nbcy.org
