The East Kootenay Foundation for Health (EKFH) is proud and excited to announce the successful completion of the “Not Alone” fundraising campaign.

Over the past two and half years the EKFH has been raising funds for Foundry East Kootenay. Through the generous and dedicated support of donors, businesses, service clubs and other foundations and charities, they successfully raised over $2.3 million towards building the Foundry Centre for youth across the East Kootenay.

Foundry East Kootenay has been several years in the making. Led and operated by Ktunaxa Kinbasket Child and Family Services (KKCFSS) as part of a provincial network of centres, the project that started with a fundraising goal of $1.4 million in 2020 and grew to a $4 million project when the housing market was at a high and the KKCFSS was unable to secure an existing space large enough to house Foundry.

The new build is designed for youth, by youth.

Construction at the Foundry site located at 100-12th Avenue South in Cranbrook began early in 2023. When completed in early 2024, the long-awaited walk-in wellness centre for youth ages 12-24 will provide culturally based services including primary care, counselling, substance use and peer support to youth across the East Kootenay, ensuring that youth are able to get the help they need, when they need it.

EKFH would like to express our deepest gratitude to all of our local residents, businesses, service clubs and other Foundations who have continued to share, support, and contribute to Foundry East Kootenay along the way. We have been so proud watching our communities have come together to fundraise for our youth over these last few years. Your support has helped shaped more than a building; it has helped shape a better, healthier, safer future for youth across the East Kootenay.

Colin Sinclair, Chief Administrative Officer of KKCFSS expressed his appreciation. “On behalf of KKCFSS we are forever grateful for our partnership with EKFH. This project would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of Brenna and her team. I would also like to show gratitude to the communities and businesses within the East Kootenays and the tremendous support we have received. This project could not have been done without everyone involved and am looking forward to opening the doors in early 2024.”

Brenna Baker, Executive Director for the EKFH commented, “I am so very grateful for all of the amazing support that we have received for Foundry! Speaking first-hand with a son who has struggled with addiction and alcoholism, I cannot say how Foundry is going to have such a positive impact on our youth. I look so forward to the doors to opening. When Foundry helps a family or saves one life we are all going to know that everyone’s efforts were so worth it!”

With the EKFH fundraising campaign complete and the build underway, please stay in touch with KKKCFS at kkcfss.org and on social media, to learn more about the Foundry East Kootenay progress and to continue your support.

Lead image: Foundry East Kootenay under construction in downtown Cranbrook, as of June 2023.  Photo submitted

East Kootenay Foundation for Health

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