Who we are
Fusion is a Christian Youth & Community organisation made up of staff workers and volunteers who all share a heart for the well being of young people and, specifically those who are most vulnerable.
Fusion Australia commenced in the 1960’s with an initial vision of attending to the needs of marginalised young people. However in the process of working among those young people it became increasingly obvious that a healthy, caring community was crucial to their development. Consequently, Fusion expanded its vision to include community building.
Today, there are over 30 Fusion centres in Australia, each committed to youth and community service.
Fusion Vocational Workers
Fusion action is initiated and managed by Fusion vocational workers, who are ‘faith workers’. ‘Faith workers’ are not paid a wage and are totally dependent on the support of others who share their vision.
The activity of Fusion is reinforced by training in well-developed courses that provide accredited youth and community qualifications. The curriculum is set in a Christian framework, focuses on authentic living and challenges each trainee to realize their God given ability and potential.
Fusion is confident that people who explore and share their own unique story and appreciate it in the context of God’s big story, start to connect with themselves and others. Even more importantly they connect with God and start to discover their potential while understanding their purpose and significance.
Fusion equips people who have a heart for serving others in such a way that people and communities are transformed.
What We do
Typically, Fusion’s youth and community work is among the marginalised and disadvantaged in Australian neighbourhoods. Recently the Commonwealth Government identified seven regions in Australia which are ‘at high risk’ due to unemployment, poverty and social conditions related to economic downturn. Fusion works in six of those seven areas.
In working with the disadvantaged Fusion has observed the growth in resilience among those who find purpose and/in community. That resilience equips them to deal with life difficulties and gives them a capacity to care for others.
Youth care – includes drop-in centres and youth cafes; high energy day trips and 8-10 day pilgrimages; outdoor education programs; employment training schemes; and housing programs for homeless youth.
Fusion works closely with all levels of youth and welfare networks and in some instances Fusion has been invited, by local authorities, to provide the regional youth services.
Community building – includes refuges for women; parenting programs for young single parents; vocational rehabilitation; housing initiatives (to provide low cost housing for the welfare dependent); and community festivals designed to bring connection to fragmented towns and suburbs.
Accredited Training – includes a dynamic “Foundations” course. Other courses include Helping People Grow and Community Health Education. The courses offer a fresh new approach to outreach and caring for others.
International
Over the past six years Fusion’s “Aussie grown” approach has progressed onto the world stage with Fusion programs now embraced in Germany, China, South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Canada, UK, Greece, Albania, Jamaica, India, Bangladesh and Indonesia. There are currently 71 centres of operation world-wide where Fusion’s youth and community work, supported by its training programs, has been embraced. An increasing number of locally grown teams (supported by Fusion Australia staff) reach out to local youth and community thereby implementing Fusion’s unique approach
Fusion Western Sydney is a Fusion Australia centre in Sydney’s western suburbs. It’s a community of some 100 staff and 300 volunteers. Located throughout the western suburbs Fusion Western Sydney manages more than 45 projects and is proud to be one of Fusions largest centres and, as such, a key part of supporting the entire movement.
Audacious Faith, Innovative Action and Authentic Community are the hallmarks of the Fusion life and work together. Fusion Western Sydney is proud to be working with schools, churches, local, state and federal governments, community groups, businesses and pretty much anyone who wants to contribute to our society in a positive and healthy way.