When community comes together, powerful things happen.
That truth is materializing in a very real way with the development of Foundry Langley, an integrated youth support centre coming to Langley this year, thanks to the generosity of local donors and community partners.
In Canada, an estimated 70 per cent of mental health problems begin during childhood or adolescence, and while young people are full of promise and potential, they also experience higher rates of mental illness and substance use than any other age group.
By bringing together key community organizations including Fraser Health, Langley Memorial Hospital Foundation, Langley Division of Family Practice, First Nations Health Authority, Langley School District and others, Foundry Langley will provide young people aged 12 to 24 access to mental health and substance use support, primary care, peer support and social services.
For Langley doctors Leo and Flora Wong, who are raising four children and running St. Luke Family Practice, in addition to teaching medicine at UBC and serving on the Langley Memorial Hospital Foundation and Langley Division of Family Practice boards, the Foundry Langley will fill a vital need.
Leo worked part-time at Langley Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department while launching the family practice, and he highlights a disturbing increase in stress, anxiety and depression among young people, a trend that requires community-based treatments, supports and counselling rather than Band-aid responses.
“Langley is not a particularly rich or poor demographic, but anxiety and depression are conditions that transcend every population,” he says. “Getting some ongoing support has been very challenging. We know that the hospital and ER are resources but otherwise on a long-term basis the treatment for these conditions doesn’t yet exist in the community.”
Concern for local youth is at the heart of the Wong family’s support for the construction of Foundry Langley, including a personal $10,000 donation to Langley Memorial Hospital Foundation Foundry initiative.
“There’s a lot of suffering out there, especially when you’re dealing with children and adolescents. When they’re not dealing well, often the parents aren’t doing well. Any investment we can make as a community into improving this situation and allowing for more resources is going to be very helpful.”
Today’s donations have double the impact
Recognizing the significant need, the Township of Langley has also committed to match donations dollar-for-dollar up to $250,000, meaning anyone who donates right now will have double the impact!
Reflecting on the importance of philanthropy, Leo emphasizes that no matter the size of the donation, it’s the act of giving that allows us to convey what’s most important, including health care excellence across Langley and for local youth.
“It’s really important for the community to take some of that ownership… to say ‘Hey, this is important for us.’ That’s where the role of the foundation and the citizens of the community comes in. It’s important to step forward.”
Donate online at www.foundrylangley.ca/donate to have your gift matched. The Foundation also makes it easy to start your own fundraiser, helping raise greater awareness and support.
Learn more about the vital work at Foundry Langley at foundrylangley.ca
