Empowering Peers Through Foundry Ambassadors

Jaida, a senior at Robert Bateman Secondary, is an incredible Foundry Abbotsford Ambassador dedicated to promoting mental health and well-being within her school community.

Foundry Ambassadors are passionate grade 10-12 students from the Abbotsford School District who are dedicated to promoting mental health and informing their peers about available support services.

When Jaida first heard about the Foundry Ambassador program, she saw it as an opportunity to combine her passion for youth leadership with her commitment to mental health awareness. As a competitive dancer, pianist, and vice-president of her school’s Key Club, she thrives on bringing people together to support meaningful causes.

Her introduction to the ambassador program was through her mother, a nurse practitioner at Foundry Abbotsford. After seeing a poster for the volunteer opportunity, Jaida was immediately intrigued.

“I was drawn to the youth-focused space,” she explained. “I love how it’s youth-led so you can get a lot of freedom with that.”

Jaida was also impressed by Foundry’s commitment to making mental and physical health services accessible for youth, so she decided to attend a meeting.

Meetings occur monthly at the students’ school during lunch hour and are facilitated by Foundry staff. These meetings provide volunteers with the opportunity to plan events and collaborate on ideas to educate students about Foundry resources.

“I remember I was very nervous the first day, but the staff were very welcoming and made sure I was heard and my opinions validated,” Jaida recalled.

As an ambassador, Jaida has worked on several impactful initiatives. She and the other Foundry ambassadors have presented in classrooms, hosted information booths, and created social media content to spread awareness about Foundry’s services. One of their biggest projects was speaking at a school-wide assembly reaching hundreds of students with practical tips on managing stress and supporting friends struggling with mental health.

“A lot of negative feelings can come up for students during the winter, so we focused on ways to manage stress and anxiety and encouraged people to reach out for support,” said Jaida.

“We are so thankful for Jaida’s leadership skills in preparing for her school’s assembly. As the longest-serving Foundry volunteer at her school, she has truly impressed us with how she stepped up to lead the other ambassadors. Jaida’s leadership and commitment to Foundry’s mission will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the other ambassadors at her school,” said Jade Randhawa, Foundry Youth and Family Engagement Coordinator.

Over the three years of volunteering with the program, Jaida has seen personal growth in herself – she feels more confident public speaking and has honed her leadership skills.

“Volunteering is a very rewarding experience, and all the opportunities that you get out of it is just amazing,” touted Jaida.

She also finds fulfillment in knowing that her work makes it easier for students to access the help they need.

“Sometimes talking to an adult is scary but having someone your own age to talk about Foundry’s services with makes it feel more approachable,” said Jaida.

As she prepares to graduate, Jaida carries the skills and experiences she’s gained into the future. She’s excited to attend university in the fall to pursue a biology degree so she can continue helping others in the field of healthcare.

“I’ve definitely known I’ve wanted to do something in healthcare, and my mom has also inspired me towards that path, but the Foundry Ambassador program has definitely reinforced my passion for helping others.”

“Jaida is a kind, creative, and determined leader who works hard to make her community a better place. We know she will be amazing in the healthcare field and wish her all the best in her next journey!” said Jade.