⚠️ IMPORTANT NOTICE — THE KAMLOOPS SELF-ADVOCATE NEWSLETTER MAILING OFFICE IS MOVING IN 2026
For several years, all mail for the Kamloops Self-Advocate (KSA) Newsletter — including checks, letters, partnership documents, and general correspondence — was sent “care-of” a local disability service provider located at the former Desert Gardens Seniors’ Community Centre. This arrangement helped ensure that mail could be safely received at a well-established community location, even though Krystian works fully from his home office and does not work out of Desert Gardens or any other shared office space.
This long-standing setup is now changing. With the transformation of the Desert Gardens building into the future home of Foundry Kamloops, scheduled to open in 2026, the Kamloops Self-Advocate Newsletter will no longer be able to receive mail through the former disability service provider at that address. As a result, all checks, letters, and organizational mail will need to be redirected going forward.
A new, dedicated mailing address for the Kamloops Self-Advocate Newsletter will be introduced in the coming months. This change ensures that mail will continue to be handled securely and effectively, without causing confusion during the transition of the Desert Gardens building into a youth-focused health centre.
Please keep an eye on upcoming newsletter issues and official announcements. Once the new address is finalized, it will be shared widely to guarantee everyone has the correct location for mailing checks, sponsorships, community submissions, and partnership information.
Local Mental-Health Support in Kamloops: A Strengthening Community Network and a Hopeful Future
Kamloops has long been a community that values accessibility, inclusion, and support for residents of all ages. When it comes to mental health, the city continues to expand and improve the services available to individuals, families, and caregivers. A broad range of supports exist locally — from counselling and peer-support programs to crisis services, outreach teams, and lived-experience-driven initiatives. This network helps people find the kind of care that best fits their needs, whether they require someone to talk to, a safe space during a difficult moment, or help navigating life’s more complex challenges.
One of the most exciting developments in this landscape is the arrival of Foundry Kamloops, set to open in 2026. Part of the well-known Foundry BC network, Foundry centers across the province are designed to make mental-health and wellness support easier, earlier, and more youth-friendly. Foundry serves people ages 12–24, offering a comprehensive mix of services under one roof: mental-health counselling, substance-use support, physical and sexual health care, youth and family peer support, and connections to social services such as housing, schooling, employment, and life-skills development.
The goal is to remove barriers that many young people face. Instead of searching for multiple offices, waiting on long referral processes, or feeling intimidated by adult-oriented services, youth can walk into a Foundry centre and be welcomed into a space designed specifically for them. Services are free, confidential, and accessible — helping youth get support before their challenges grow more difficult.
Foundry Kamloops will be located on the ground floor of the former Desert Gardens Seniors’ Community Centre, a central and meaningful site in the community. Transforming this space into a youth wellness hub honours the legacy of the seniors’ centre while opening the door to a new chapter of community health. Once renovations are complete, Foundry Kamloops will offer drop-in and booked appointments, including same-day support, which is essential for young people who may be struggling and need help right away.
The introduction of Foundry Kamloops signals a broader shift toward holistic, preventative, and youth-led care. It also reflects the strength of community partnerships in Kamloops — service providers, families, advocates, donors, and people with lived experience have worked together to make this centre a reality. Their combined efforts highlight a shared value: building a community where no young person feels alone in their mental-health journey.
As Kamloops moves forward with this new chapter in health support, the Kamloops Self-Advocate Newsletter remains committed to sharing updates, resources, and information that empower the community. From the upcoming mailing-address transition to the opening of Foundry Kamloops, the newsletter continues to serve as a resource hub, amplifying voices with lived experience and promoting accessible supports for all.