“Our goal behind every Foundry program is to build a relationship with youth so they feel they can have conversations about mental health and any issues they are facing, without feeling stigma about it,” said Caitlin Anderson, Foundry Services Coordinator. “It’s important to be an advocate for youth and make much-needed resources accessible to them if and when they need it.”
In anticipation of the arrival of the new Foundry Centre and Youth Hub, Sea to Sky Community Services spent the past year focused on engagement with youth in the Sea to Sky Corridor, by offering programs and pilot events to bring youth together in meaningful ways.
Portage Paddle Program
In August 2021, 10 youth of different ages, backgrounds and abilities came together to learn how to carve paddles from Art Harry/See Appl-tun (of Squamish Nation) and Lenny Rubenovitch (of Squamish, BC) as well as other guest instructors.
Once the paddles were finished, the participants were then invited to use their new paddles in a canoe pull on September 30th, the first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, on Alice Lake. There was profound meaning in this event, bridging the solitary activity of carving a paddle with the group effort of pulling a canoe. It was one more way the Portage Paddle Program built community among its participants.
Foundry Film Series
The Foundry’s first film series of events was born of the intention to create an opportunity for youth and community members to come together, get excited, and learn about different topics meaningful to our communities. The films ranged in topics such as how sport can support mental health, the importance of climate action and environmental stewardship, showcasing local indigenous talent, and how important creativity can also be for our mental health. Based out of the Eagle Eye Community Theatre out of Howe Sound Secondary School or the Maury Young Theatre in Whistler, many community members and youth joined the SSCS Youth Services team for one (or more!) movie, conversation about the films, and information about Foundry Sea to Sky.