An Abbotsford couple have donated $150,000 for a new facility to provide youth health services that is slated to open later this year.
Fran and Pieter Vanderpol have donated the money to Foundry Abbotsford, which aims to provide one-stop care for young people seeking mental health and substance use services, as well as primary care and social services.
The donation is being made through the Oikodome Foundation, their family’s charity organization. The Oikodome Foundation regularly supports global and local initiatives that invest in the development of a healthy and well-equipped community.
“Helping our youth navigate the challenging teen and young adult years, Foundry’s proactive and holistic support services will help youth in our community build strong, healthy lives,” Fran Vanderpol said in a press release. “Our family is thrilled to support this ground-breaking initiative. Their visionary approach will allow our youth to easily access the help and support they need.”
Pieter Vanderpol is chair of Vanderpol’s Eggs, a 60-year-old business based in Abbotsford.
Foundry will have six locations across the province, including Abbotsford, Kelowna, Campbell River, Vancouver, the North Shore and Prince George. 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.
The Abbotsford location will be hosted by Abbotsford Community Services and involve 14 different local service providers. Foundry Abbotsford is expecting between 1,200 and 2,500 youth to access their services each year. The centre will be modelled after the Granville Youth Health Centre in Vancouver, a pilot project for the Foundry model and home to St. Paul’s Inner City Youth Program.
“The Vanderpols’ generous gift will contribute to allowing Foundry Abbotsford to open its doors later this year and offer youth in the community a safe space to access integrated care,” said Simone Maassen, manager of youth services at Abbotsford Community Services, in a press release. “Instead of having to navigate an array of different services, young people will be able to walk through one door to get the help they need.”
The Vanderpol family’s gift is timely, as the Robert L. Conconi Foundation has also just announced that now through to May 31 it will match donations to Foundry agencies in communities across B.C., including up to a total of $50,000 in Abbotsford.
To make a donation, visit abbotsfordcommunityservices.com/donate.