On July 25, sisters Kristin Holomis and Linsey Johannson are back with the the annual Stand Up For…paddleboard fundraising challenge, where they paddle the length of Kalamalka Lake for a chosen charity. This year, the paddle will benefit Foundry North Okanagan, a new youth services hub being constructed by the Canadian Mental Health Association Vernon & District.
Foundry is a one-stop wellness centre where young people ages 12 to 24 and their families can find hope, help and support when they need it. The services will empower young people to manage mental health challenges and connect with peers and professionals allowing them to learn to cope, grow and thrive in a safe, supportive environment. They can get everything from mental health support, to helping finding job placement to medical care all under one roof.
“We’re thrilled to support Foundry North Okanagan this year,” says Kristin. “This is the exact kind of place we need to help our youth thrive. It’s very exciting to be able to help support this incredible milestone in working towards building a stronger and healthier community.”
MATCHING SUPPORT has been coming in from Priscilla & Company – Re/Max, RE Postill & Sons and Simolo Customs.
Kristin and Linsey have set their goal at an aggressive $25,000 and are determined to hit it even before they hit the water. Donate HERE
“As a mother of two teens, I can personally attest to the struggles and pressures that today’s youth face. Sometimes it is difficult to know where to begin to get help,” says Linsey. “Foundry North Okanagan will provide an invaluable all-encompassing hub accessible to all youth and will have a positive impact on the whole community.”
This is the eighth annual Stand Up For fundraising paddle Kristin has led. So far, it has raised over $185,000 for community organizations, including the Okanagan Rail Trail, KidSport Okanagan, the People Place and Archway Society for Domestic Peace.
“CMHA Vernon is grateful for the support of Kristin and Linsey and we wish them well with the paddle,” said Vicki Proulx, CMHA Vernon’s director of fund development and communications.
“All of us have a youth in our life – a child, grandchild, neighbour, friend. We want to ensure they can be the very best they can be and that means they have access to health services when they need it. Funds raised during the paddle will move us closer to launching Foundry North Okanagan and it’s a tangible way of showing our youth that they matter.”
Currently, there are 18 Foundry locations across B.C., with the North Okanagan Foundry being one of the next round of facilities planned. It will be constructed on a site in downtown Vernon and is set to be completed in 2027.
The YISH is a community for youth aged 12 to 24, offering inclusivity, inspiration, and support. We aim to create a safe and motivating space for every youth to reach their potential, serving as a compassionate hub empowering youth.
At CMHA Vernon, we have built a community of support for individuals and their families living with mental health challenges, from youth programs to housing to education to employment to psychosocial rehabilitation. We help everyone in our community find the best type of care or service to match their need.
You can make mental health matter. There are many ways you can help CMHA promote the mental health of everyone and support the resiliency and recovery of those experiencing mental illness.
CMHA is dedicated to mental wellness, and housing stability is a key component of health. Adequate, suitable and affordable housing contributes to our physical and mental well-being. It leads to increased personal safety and helps decrease stress, leading to improved sleep and diet. All of these factors result in better mental health outcomes.
We all have mental health. CMHA believes that good mental health is essential to overall health and well-being. Whether you are managing a mental illness, supporting someone you care about, or looking to build your own overall health, we can help you build mental health skills and resilience for yourself and your family.
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Mental illnesses are health problems that affect the mind—your thoughts, your emotions, your behaviours. There are many different mental illnesses, and they affect people in different ways. In this section, learn more about the different mental illnesses, learn more about treatment and recovery, and find help in your community.
