For Langford Coun. Kimberley Guiry, a request for the city to support a new trades-focused mental health centre struck a deeply personal chord. The appeal stirred memories for Guiry – who is a qualified cabinet maker – of a colleague who died two years ago after struggling with mental health challenges. “To say that this is a loss to the world as a whole is an understatement, because this person was incredibly special,” she said at the Aug. 18 meeting
For Langford Coun. Kimberley Guiry, a request for the city to support a new trades-focused mental health centre struck a deeply personal chord.
Work is underway to transform the former headquarters of the Savages Motorcycle Club at 2775 Spencer Rd. into the Forge, a new hub offering peer support, recovery coaching, counselling and community-building programs designed for B.C.’s trades workforce living with mental health and addiction challenges.
The building was purchased by the Construction Foundation of BC, and to help launch the project, the West Shore Developers Association has donated $5,000, asking the city to match their contribution.
The appeal stirred memories for Guiry – who is a qualified cabinet maker – of a colleague who died two years ago after struggling with mental health challenges.
“To say that this is a loss to the world as a whole is an understatement, because this person was incredibly special,” she said at the Aug. 18 meeting, recalling how he supported her during her apprenticeship when she experienced sexual harassment.
“Not only did he say ‘I believe you,’ he said, ‘You know I’m kinda done working here too,’” she remembered. “So he found another job and he used his resources and brought me along with him – it fundamentally changed my introduction into the trades.