Fusion supports former refugee and migrant young people in the Wellington Region and Palmerston North through youth development and mentoring programmes. These provide recreational activities, life-skills, leadership development, encouragement of personal and social skills and an introduction to local community activities and opportunities. It promotes a sense of connection, belonging and participation among young people new to New Zealand.
These programmes include: Fusion Resettlement programmes in Palmerston North and Wellington; Fusion Plus – an after school programme which provides ongoing and regular connection with young people in Lower Hutt; Fusion HVHS (Hutt Valley High School) and Fusion Naenae (Naenae College) which support former refugee and migrant young people in their school community.
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.