HOME at Last
By Melissa Walsh Photos Yanni
I
t was once the army barracks at Mt Martha but the former defence building has an incarnation as the home of Fusion, a Christian youth and community organisation that provides housing, youth programs and community support for local youth. Operating since the 1960’s, the inspirational programs seek to connect young people aged 15 to 21 to networks in the community and engage them with a wider sense of belonging and achievement.
“By providing early interventions to youths within its program, Fusion seeks to address the many issues that trigger long-term homelessness,” said centre manager, Caitlin Swanton. “We are part
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26 | PENINSULA
of a national organisation and an international movement of people motivated by Christian values and the belief that people matter.” Fusion is a Christian youth and community organisation that emerged as a creative response to socially-at-risk young people in Australia in 1960 and found its way to the peninsula after a group of local young adults launched a drop-in centre in 1970. “It started out from those people wanting to help the homeless youth on the peninsula and the same commitment to caring for the needs of our young people continue to this day,” said Caitlin of the home that looks after eight youths at a time, and provides a warm and loving family environment so that kids can have a fresh start. continued next page...
March 2019