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The Fusion Project
The Fusion Project is directed by Kim Wirth and focuses on supporting vulnerable youth through building relationships. It utilizes a theory of change that supports youth to meet basic needs, build relationship skills, and reconnect with family/community for long-term self-sufficiency. The program is relationship-focused, invites voluntary engagement, aims to be authentic and youth/family-led, and inspires change through living its values. Preliminary outcomes show a reduction in homelessness and increased natural supports for youth after engaging with the program.
The Fusion Project
- 1. The Fusion Project KimWirth [email protected] Director of Youth Housing & Shelter
- 2. Residential Care Community Clubs & Experiential Learning Education& Employment Youth Housing & Shelter
- 3. What would ittake to end this youth’s homelessness with this experience? Ave 15 Infinity YTA Haven’s Way Safe House Prevention, Outreach, Housing & Shelters 828-HOPE Script Elements Fusion
- 5. Towards Resiliency for VulnerableYouth . http://www.calgaryunitedway.org/vulnerableyouth/about-the-report/introduction
- 7. Confessions of aYouth Worker .
- 9. Theory of Change Youthdisconnected from natural supports are supported to meet their basic needs and build their relationship skills So that… Youth can reconnect with family and community to create positive networks of non-professional support So that… Youth can successfully transition to adult self-sufficiency.
- 10. Fusion Fundamentals I Being RelationshipFocused We begin all our work with the building of a positive relationship. We believe that respectful, supportive and empowering relationships are the conduit for change. II An Open Invitation Not mandated or prescribed, we invite people to engage with us. We are persistent in this invitation. III Being Authentic We bring ourselves to this work. We share our stories when this is appropriate. We are compassionate, open and honest. We are challenging and loving with families and youth, as well as within our team. We model relationships of trust and reciprocity. IV Being Youth and Family Led We begin where youth and families are at. Families decide the type, timing and intensity of support. Program fundamentals provide high-level guidance to coaches. Coaches have enormous latitude in the supports they can provide. The supports fit the family; the family doesn’t have to fit the supports. V Inspiring Change We live and work to our values. We hope to inspire change in the youth and families we work with. We hope to share what we’re learning to inspire change in other professionals across the sector.
- 11. So what havewe learned… • We need to reframe family as part of the solution. • Family and natural support connection is compelling for vulnerable youth. • Family work and youth work are often disconnected. • Engagement takes time. • Systems tend to create and reinforce the disconnection between vulnerable youth and family. • Need experienced, multi-dimensional and atypical teams.
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- 13. So what? Preliminary Outcomesfor Youth & Natural supports At Referral Homeless Housed Transitionally Housed Other 61% 23% 11% 5% At Analysis (December 31, 2013) Homeless 32% Housed 43% Transitionally Housed 13% Other 13% “I do have a lot of supports now, I have a lot more people supporting me on my choices and what I want to do.”
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