“I now have life - not life as in I get up in the morning and do my daily things and go to bed at night, but I now have a good life with hope and a future.”

Fusion resident Jane* is testament to the youth and community organisation’s success in strengthening the lives of young people through a community-based response of education, accommodation, supporting and sharing of life.

Located in the former Army Barracks in Mount Martha, Fusion’s programs seek to connect young people 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 many issues that trigger long-term homelessness.

With the support of Fusion, Jane’s life was transformed.  She learnt how to live with others harmoniously - a process that involved managing conflict, becoming aware of the impact of her own actions, and reconciling differences – and with mediation support this allowed her to ultimately restore the relationship with her mother.

Since being encouraged to improve her health and take up sports, she is also studying to become a PE teacher and is now giving back to the Fusion community as a mentor to other young girls.

This is the heart of Fusion’s work - to bring life to its fullest.   Fusion seeks to provide opportunities for young people to discover who they are and realise their true potential through reconciliation, transformation and restoration.

Fusion’s fundraising dinner, Feast for Life, will be held on Saturday, March 18, from 6.30pm at Toorak College. Tickets are $60 or $550 for a table of 10; email [email protected] or phone 5974 1442.

* Name changed to protect her identity