Fusion programmes are three-days of activities leading to greater connection for young people with a refugee background.
Fusion helps young people settle and strengthen their connection with their local community whilst helping set personal goals in a new culture and reinforce positive decision-making.
Fusion involves sports, recreational activities, personal development and introduction to opportunities in their Kiwi community. They are held in Hamilton, Palmerston North, Porirua and Lower Hutt annually, in partnership with New Zealand Red Cross and funded significantly by the Office of Ethnic Communities amongst others.
To watch a short video about Fusion made for the Human Rights Commission Diversity Forum 2016 click here. (external link)
Programme participants are identified by our partners – Red Cross – if you have any questions about this programme however please contact Ignite Sport on 04 920 2204 or email our office on info@ignitesport.org.nz.
The Fusion Program is one of the very few programs that refugee background especially newly arrived youth get to connect with apart from school and other primary support agencies that are supporting their families. Even with primary support agencies, the youth are usually left out.
It is good to see that they are making friends and communicating across different cultures, beliefs and gender which will help not only them but also their families and the ethnic community they specifically belong to, to be able to participate accordingly in this multicultural society.
Dennis Maang, Social Worker, NZ Red Cross
Those three days were amazing, exciting, and extraordinarily wonderful! Thanks a lot to Red Cross and Ignite Sport workers. We had a great time. Again thanks.
Attendee