Foundry & Youth Services Burns Lake Gets Ready to Open Its Doors

October 10, 2025

After five years of planning and collaboration, Carrier Sekani Family Services (CSFS) will soon be ready to open its doors for Foundry Burns Lake and CSFS Youth Services. The new centre, located at 686 McPhail Road, right across from Lakes District Secondary School, is designed as a welcoming, youth-friendly space where young people ages 12 to 24 can access a wide range of wellness services, all under one roof.

At Foundry Burns Lake, youth will have access to five core services:

• Mental health support
• Substance use services
• Physical and sexual health care
• Youth and family peer support
• Social services

Beyond these supports, the centre offers features designed to help youth feel connected and inspired, including a multipurpose room, two recreational spaces, a nourish station stocked with food and drinks, a basketball court, and an outdoor fire pit to support connection with both nature and culture.

Importantly, this building was created with youth, for youth. Over the years, the Foundry team has hosted numerous engagement events to ensure the space reflects the needs and voices of young people in the community.

The first look at the new centre for students took place on October 6, a date that also marks the anniversary of the land blessing held two years ago. Students from the Lakes District Secondary School will be first to tour the centre throughout the day. “We’re inviting youth to come explore the new space and see what Foundry is all about,” says Katie Cornish, CSFS Health Services Coordinator.

Foundry Burns Lake Program Manager, Katie Nesbitt, emphasizes the vision behind the centre: “We want youth to feel seen, heard, and supported. As programming expands, dedicated youth services workers and peer support workers will be on site to create a space where everyone belongs.”

The centre will be hosting a community open house on October 17 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Community members are invited to drop-in and tour the space, meet the team, and learn more about the services available.

“Our hope is that the community of Burns Lake feels as proud of this space as we do, and that it becomes a place where youth and families can grow, connect, and thrive. The village of Burns Lake truly deserves this, and our young people deserve a ‘third space’—not school, not home, but a place they choose to be because they feel welcomed, valued, and inspired,” says Randi Mondor, Director of Primary Health Care and an original member of the project team.

Foundry Burns Lake is guided by a Youth Advisory Committee—a passionate group of young leaders who help shape the space and programming. Youth interested in joining are encouraged to connect with Foundry Engagement Facilitator, Roxanne McCleary, at rmccleary@csfs.org.

For more information about services and programs, contact Katie Nesbitt at knesbitt@csfs.org or visit the Foundry Burns Lake website.

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