About Us

URBAN FUSION’S MISSION STATEMENT:

Urban Fusion strives to positively effect and enrich the lives of young people, instilling confidence and life skills to help them achieve their highest potential as active and capable community members through a professionally supported Performing Arts program.

In addition to a disciplined environment and goals to work toward, Urban Fusion endeavors to provide guidance through the example of committed volunteers, professional leadership and an unparalleled standard of excellence.


A bit about our programs?

Founded in 2003 Urban Fusion is a certified 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, a program of “The New Bedford Dakota Foundation”.

First and foremost, our priority is providing a positive, character-building environment, bringing together children from ALL backgrounds. While we focus on instilling traits such as teamwork, self-discipline, personal growth, and respect, we also strive to provide each child with an experience they can benefit from well after leaving our program.

We do this within a “Musical Arts” environment.

Currently ALL programs operated by Urban Fusion are currently utilized using the Search Institute’s framework for positive youth development, otherwise known as the Developmental Assets and  (a.k.a.) Asset Building.  (learn more here)

We see children as our most valued Assets!

Our youth are our most valued Assets, that’s why here at Urban Fusion youth development is paramount.  Since  is so important, we have adopted the Search Institute’s framework for Youth Development, speciffically called the Developmental Assets.  Otherwise know as as Asset Building. We invite you to find out more about Asset Building  and urge you to have other organizations use the framework.  It truly is an astounding way of looking and dealing with our youth.

For more information please visit:

http://www.search-institute.org

How do youth benefit from Urban Fusion?

We created our programs specifically to provide positive “life experiences” as well as profound “Musical Arts” experiences. We like to believe that youth who partisipate in our programs take with them traits that will benefit them throughout their lives, well after leaving our programs. Youth also develop a sense of hard work, self-discipline, and teamwork while learning how to positively interact within various peer-to-peer & peer-to-mentor relationships.

Musical Arts? Tell me more…

Currently Urban Fusion uses multiple musical programs such as  (Many of which After School Programs):

All programs currently run within the Boys & Girls Clubs.

We’re currently utilizing our programs within Club Programs as well for added “Impact”.   An Example of this is our P.U.M.P.  Electronic Music Program.  Currently P.U.M.P. is being utilized within the Boys & Girls Club’s Street S.M.A.R.T. Program, which teaches adolescent youth Gang awareness and resistance training.  Currently youth create constructive Music Messages using electronic Music to counter Gang Activity and negative Peer Pressure.

We also try out best to utilize our assets to our fullest.  Including our human assets. Within each program we use various teaching methods that include practical hands-on, as well as mentoring methods and traditional classroom settings. Although, as mentioned previously, we try to always utilize our youth within these various methods in various peer vs. peer environments.

The instructional program is lead by a staff of HIGHLY dedicated and accomplished individuals, who volunteer their time to make sure every child receives only the best experience possible within the program.

We also utilize our Partnership with the University of Massachusetts Music Department where we utilize college students who are looking to enter the Music Education arena.

NOTE: Applicants can also receive extra credit and possible stipend potions within our organization. (contact us for more info)

What made you, as an organization, move to incorporate a competitive indoor percussion ensemble within your program?

For us it was simple, it fell directly in line with our mission to provide youth with life skills through music.  Having a highly competitive unit provides our members with many benefits.

Our first is providing youth with a visual and motivational goal in which to strive for.  This is very important. Where would you be without your childhood goals?  Just like a child playing baseball wants to make the All Star Team, or play for their favorite MLB team, our members will strive to do the same.

Although, the important part is not when or even if they reach that goal, it’s what they learn along the way.  It’s about learning the life skills to be better musicians, but more importantly better members of their community.

Secondly, having this unit provides our program with additional support as well as various fundraising opportunities.

Having such a unit also provides our organization with great mentoring opportunities.

Lastly, it provides our program with a great deal of visibility that otherwise would not have been possible.  This ultimately brings more people through our door to hear the important yet unique message of using music to impact the lives of youth.

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