Teenagers develop life work skills and explore opportunities leading to jobs at the Fusion Youth Activity and Technology Centre in Ingersoll.

Something great is happening to youth in Oxford County. Vandalism and petty crime is down, and previously disenchanted youth are positive and engaged, developing work skills and learning how to set up social enterprises.

Central to this renaissance for youth is the Fusion Youth Activity and Technology Centre of Ingersoll. Apart from offering both drop-in and organized sports and recreation opportunities for teens, Fusion Youth Centre offers four appealing social enterprise training programs: catering services, multimedia and graphic design, digital audio recording and electronic waste collection. There's also an Entrepreneurial Training Program which encourages youth to experience the world of small business while fostering an entrepreneurial spirit. Youth are provided with resources and support to start a small business and encouraged to consider social enterprise concepts that address local social issues.

"Youth are benefiting in so many ways," said Jason Smith, Program Manager of Fusion Youth Centre. "We're developing their life work skills and getting them out into the workforce. Several youth have found viable jobs after their training period at Fusion. And business partners recognize the improvement in the 'graduating' pool, in terms of courtesy, real world attitude and maturity, apart from the actual work skills."

While sports and entertainment are vital drawing cards which attract teenagers to the busy centre, it's training and mentoring which are key components of the Fusion Youth Centre programs.

"Youth are not just hanging out. Where before they lacked direction, now they can explore opportunities and interests at no cost, decide if hospitality or audio recording is the path for them or not, and take control of their future," said Smith.

The community and several partners are involved, from foundations like OTF, local governments, local businesses to youth and service agencies. Ingersoll has seen a strengthening of its economy with organizations like Conestoga College setting up in the community, Oxford Child and Youth Services relocating to Ingersoll, more businesses employing local youth, plus the creation of various social enterprises which are giving back to the community.

"We already have one social enterprise success story. Alex Minato, not quite 18 years old, has been running his own computer repair business for 18 months now. He's an amazing youth, having benefited from Fusion's Entrepreneurship Program, and now contributing to our local economy," said Smith.

The successes at the Fusion Youth Centre are the envy of many towns and municipalities. Several municipalities have asked Fusion to share with them their best practices, and to date, Fusion has been instrumental in helping the municipalities of Trenton, Amherstberg, Guelph and the City of Hamilton to set up their own youth centres. That's what we call leveraging a grant!

The future looks bright for these youth.