What is Fusion? Who founded the program, and why?
Fusion is a homeless ministry that operates in San Bernardino seven days a week, with the goal of not only tending to the homeless population’s materialistic needs but also their emotional, relational, and spiritual needs as well. Prior to the inception of Fusion, a group of individuals would collectively visit various homeless shelters throughout the week and host block parties that provided services to the homeless community, such as haircuts, music lessons, and food. In the wake of the pandemic many, if not all, homeless shelters closed. In response to this need, Fusion was born.
How did you learn about the program?
I first heard about Fusion through a vespers at my home church: Loma Linda University Church. It seemed interesting, but I initially dismissed it. It wasn’t until I saw one of my fellow Honors peers Diana Quiroz post it on her Instagram story that I really decided to take a look into it.
How did you become involved? How long have you worked with Fusion?
I started attending Fusion in August of 2020. At first, I would only attend on Saturdays. But as I began to fall in love with the ministry more and more, I started coming more often. I also became more involved by playing my guitar for the outdoor church services we would hold on Sabbath and leading music for any baptisms we had.
Why do you attend Fusion?
At first, I attended Fusion because it was finally something to do that was ministry/church-related. I was personally in need of going outside and experiencing meaningful human interaction given the ongoing quarantine. But now, after having attended 60+ times, I really want to be able to spend time with those individuals of the homeless population that I have the privilege of calling my friends, like Jerry, Suki, and Francis. It is such a warming experience to know that even they take an interest in our lives like regularly asking how school is and how our families are doing. But most importantly, the reason I attend Fusion is because of consistency. In the past year, over 25 individuals of San Bernardino’s homeless population have been baptized. Many admitted that at first, they were either disinterested in Christianity or unfamiliar with it, but it was Fusion’s consistency that really drew their attention to the reason a group of people would willingly choose to go out to San Bernardino every day to spend time with the homeless without any kind of materialistic compensation.
How is it meaningful to you?
Fusion has significantly impacted my social life, spiritual life, and mental health. Through Fusion, I have foremost gotten the opportunity to engage and commune with other like-minded, ministry-driven individuals. The work Fusion does, engaging with the homeless community, is not for everyone, so it is quite easy to tell when someone is really passionate about it. By getting the privilege to meet so many amazing individuals, I have found spiritual mentors that have aided my development as a Christian: both in my personal devotional life and in my interactions with others. Fusion also came at such a crucial time in my life. Enduring the pandemic was not easy and having an outlet and a taste of normalcy was really beneficial for my mental health.
What have you learned from going to Fusion?
The most important lesson that I have learned is that there is always potential in someone. Often it is easy to dismiss the story behind an individual. We can easily just think that they messed up, that they took part in drugs or criminal activity and that’s why they ended up on the streets. While this may be the case for some individuals, it is a gross overgeneralization. Society’s stigmatization of the homeless often blinds us to see these individuals as nothing more than their current circumstances. By doing this, we rob them of any potential or hope we have in them as people. One of my favorite stories to come out of Fusion has to be of one man named Tony. Tony was on the streets for several years before he met the love Fusion has to offer. Fusion was there for him, and helped him get back on his feet, and next school year Tony will be attending medical school at Loma Linda University.
How can other students and community members be a part of Fusion?
The best way to get involved with Fusion is to follow the Instagram page @Fusion_SanBernardino or to simply ask myself or anyone else you know who regularly participates. Fusion meets everyday at 9am in Loma Linda.
— Isaac Estrada (Class of 2023, Biomedical Science)