“It is with extraordinary pride and gratitude that we announce the completion of our ‘Not Alone’ campaign to raise $2 million to support the opening of Foundry Kelowna.” – Doug Rankmore, CEO of the KGH Foundation and Shelagh Turner, Executive Director of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Kelowna.
A first-of-its-kind fundraising partnership between two local, non-profit organizations has been a remarkable success.
In just seven months, the KGH Foundation and CMHA Kelowna have succeeded in their goal to raise the funds necessary to open Foundry Kelowna, a new integrated care centre aimed at supporting youth and families struggling with mental health and substance issues.
“Every aspect of this project has demonstrated collaboration and innovation. We are so inspired by how our community has caught the vision of Foundry Kelowna. Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for youth and families to take charge of their health by providing a variety of services through an integrated and personal approach,” says Shelagh Turner, Executive Director of CMHA Kelowna.
Indeed, the partnership set the tone for what was to become a massive collaborative effort by the community to fundraise for the cause.
‘From elementary school classes to 100 Men Who Give a Damn, we were overwhelmed by how this cause touched so many. We saw unprecedented creativity in how the community gave; how friends and families were engaged, how our messages of hope and action were shared,” says Doug Rankmore, CEO of the KGH Foundation. “The opening of Foundry is really a testament to what can be accomplished when we work together. We are so grateful to the community for making this possible.”
With the construction phase for Foundry Kelowna now complete, CMHA staff will spend the summer coordinating services and programs provided by 24 different agencies, from primary care to social programs, who will work together to provide youth with the help they need when they need it.
By September, Foundry Kelowna will be ready to officially open its doors to walk-ins.
“This campaign has been transformational for our family,” says well-known local businessman, Al Hildebrandt, whose leadership and support of the Not Alone campaign was also a driving factor in its success. “When we support our young people’s mental well-being, we are supporting the future health of our community. I’m really proud of our community for coming together for our young people.”
Achieving the $2million goal represents a significant mile-marker. Yet both organizations acknowledge there is still an urgent need to continue to raise funds for Foundry and other community-based, early intervention mental health initiatives.
The KGH Foundation is an independent, volunteer-driven charitable organization committed to enhancing the delivery of healthcare to the patients of Kelowna General Hospital and its associated facilities.
CMHA Kelowna is a charity that promotes the mental health of all through community-based programs and services, public education, advocacy and research.