SJ urban activist group spreads to Freddy and Moncton

This column previously appeared in Here NB on February 18th, 2010.

SAINT JOHN – A community activist and networking group is spreading its reach this spring, with new chapters set to open across the province.

Members of Fusion Saint John have spent the past six years working to improve the city, offering everything from networking parties to urban planning and development committees aimed at retaining residents and improving life in Saint John. Recent recipients of a $25,000 grant from the provincial Population Growth Secretariat, the group is set to open new chapters and welcome new acolytes in Fredericton and Moncton.

“Fusion Saint John is a successful model because it brings together young professionals and gives them a place where they can take on challenges that are important to their community. We want young people to be involved,” said Phillippe Ouellette, acting director of the Population Growth Secretariat’s retention branch.

Fusion Saint John’s made a name for itself with offerings like Newcomer’s Night and Party With a Purpose networking evenings. The group also hosts Operation Red Nose to fight drunk driving in the winter, and has a host of committees covering everything from immigration to arts and culture.

Ouellette said the great thing about the Fusion model is its flexibility and freedom.

“Members can define it the way they want and choose which committees they want to form so they can mobilize around the important issues.

Leadership opportunities are what these types of initiatives breed, and healthier communities that people want to live in,” he said.

The group has already opened branches in Bangor and Halifax, and expects to see new groups formed in Fredericton and Moncton by spring.

Early meetings in Fredericton saw over a dozen interested citizens show up to discuss the next step, said Oullette.

“Fredericton’s not Toronto; we’re not going to be the next big city, but we can have an exciting culture with lots of arts and a vibrancy in our cities. People with a vested interest in having that are the best people to create that. They can really make that happen,” said Ouellette.

Contact Saint John reporter Paige Aarhus at aarhus.paige@herenb.com