Good morning! 

Westshore cyclists are getting extra miles in this week, with the GoByBike Week challenging community members to use greener transportation methods. Many residents are already taking part, and there’s a local celebration station in Colwood coming up. Read all about it and more in today’s edition of the newsletter.

— Emma

HEALTH

Westshore celebrates new Foundry centre for youth health

Community members celebrated an important development in youth health care with the announcement that a Foundry centre will be providing care for Westshore and Sooke residents. With the project officially announced in March, the Westshore centre’s team held a celebration on Wednesday, June 5 and commemorated the importance and need for the additional support in medical services.  

“Young people are facing more challenges than ever before,” said Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Jennifer Whiteside in a press release. “With this new Foundry centre coming to the Westshore, young people in the region will soon benefit from primary health care and mental health support all under one roof, so we can prevent small problems from becoming bigger down the road.”

The centre is part of a provincial initiative, coming alongside nine other developments across different communities. The Sooke-Westshore location, which will be led by THRIVE Social Services, will operate by providing youth ages 12-24 and their support system with free and confidential access to mental health and substance use support, physical and sexual health care, and social services and peer support. 

At the celebration for the project’s kick-off, residents were invited to learn more about the operations and process of roll-out. Moving forward, THRIVE will look at specific community support needs, plan advice and guidance, and find a location. With plenty of work still ahead, the team says that the creation process will be a collaboration effort of the entire community.

“A Foundry for this region will have a meaningful impact for youth and their families,” said Scott Bradford, executive director of THRIVE. “This initiative is a true collaboration of service partners, youth and those who support them; as the lead agency, we at THRIVE are excited to begin this journey together.”

This centre will be an important addition to the Westshore, which is in need of both youth services and health care facilities and workers. BC’s healthcare crisis is one of the worst in Canada, facing issues with staffing, wait times, facilities, and overall treatment. Coupled with health care, the province is facing an increasing opioid epidemic, which has Victoria councillors calling on the Westshore to help in the process. 

“The rising demand of mental health and wellness support among youth is undeniable and school districts cannot do this important work alone,” said Paul Block, Sooke School District superintendent. “Establishing a Foundry location on the Westshore with satellites in Sooke and Port Renfrew ensures that our youth and young adults have access to essential supports within their own community—this investment not only enriches the well-being of our community but also represents a significant stride toward fostering a healthier future for our youth.”

While the development of the Foundry centre may take some time, THRIVE will be hosting information sessions for youth and their supporters on June 26 in Sooke and June 27 in Langford from 6 to 8:30pm. Westshore organizations overall have been working on upgrading facilities and systems, supporting several new initiatives. The West Shore RCMP’s new mental health unit has produced some positive results since the partial launch of the unit in February, helping decrease the involuntary apprehension statistics compared to last year. On top of this, there are other ongoing plans to evolve health care, including the announcement of a multi-use residential building that will  incorporate Sooke Region Community Health Centre services.

ENVIRONMENT

GoByBike Week encourages greener commutes

Spring GoByBike Week just kicked off on Monday, June 3, and locals are getting involved with events, prizes, and challenges as an incentive. The region already has Canada’s highest rate of bike commutes, with Stats Canada reporting one out of every 19 locals consistently bikes to work. 

Started in 1995, GoByBike (previously Bike to Work Week) began in Greater Victoria as an effort to promote cleaner commuting through cycling instead of driving. What began with a core group of 500 committed commuter cyclists has since blossomed to 7,000 registered participants last spring.

With multiple cities in the area joining in, Capital Bike is setting up 13 Celebration Stations along popular cycling routes for any wheeled gas-free vehicles to stop by, including one in Colwood. Each station is host to free food and drinks, the chance to win prizes, cycling resources and mechanics, and more. 

Also included at every stop, you can collect a unique stamp to get the chance to win one of three bikes; four stamps collected, and you’ll be entered to win. 

The City of Colwood's station will be open on Friday, June 7 for challengers to stop by. Held at the Galloping Goose Trail at the Island Highway where the future Galloping Goose Pedestrian and Cycling Overpass will be, volunteers and helpers are excited to chat about cycling and see how the community challenges themselves. 

Around the 'Shore

🚔 Police arrest carjacker: VicPD, Saanich Police and West Shore RCMP arrested a woman after she wielded a machete at a taxi driver and stole his car. West Shore RCMP successfully stopped the stolen vehicle, and the woman is currently facing charges including one count of robbery and one count of possessing a weapon for dangerous purpose.

🛍️ Salvation Army new location: The Salvation Army is opening a new location in Langford, and it is set to become its largest retail location on Vancouver Island. The store, which is located at 975 Langford Pkwy, is opening today, June 6, with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10am. [CHEK] 

💰 Man wins $2.9 million in personal injury case: Thirty-three-year-old Greater Victoria resident Cody Grant Moen just received $2.9 million in the BC Supreme Court after three separate car crashes caused chronic pain and a reduced capacity to work. Moen was first rear-ended in 2016 by a bus in Langford, and hit again two-days later when a learner reversed into his car. The Metchosin local was rear ended again in 2018, and is now left with chronic pain and mental health issues. [Times Colonist]

Community Events

🐞 Insect hunt: Head to Bilston Creek Farm this Saturday, June 8 to celebrate national insect appreciation day. Going from 1 to 3pm, the Metchosin Foundation and the Metchosin Artpod have produced a 36 insect card deck with artistic illustrations and scientific information for a guided insect hunt. With games, prizes, food, and more, the event is free for anyone to attend. 

🌲 Change makers gathering festival: Honour and learn more about Indigenous culture, history, and values with the June 8 change makers gathering festival. Going from 11am to 4pm at Starlight Stadium, check out drum and dance groups, an artisans market, a special hip hop performance, cedar weaving, and more. 

📦 Sooke Lions garage sale: Take advantage of the annual Sooke District Lioness Lions garage sale this June 8 from 9am to 1pm. Held at the Sooke Community Hall, shop from a range of clean, gently used items. The club is still accepting donations for the sale, so check out their list to donate your items.

What’s Offshore?

No ships today!

Westshore Snaps

Thetis Lake Park. —Jane Harrigan, Langford

That’s it!

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