Announcing Project Fusion

SIX YEARS AGO TODAY I received word back from the State of Nebraska that our articles of incorporation were accepted and Made New Makerspace was officially a legal entity.

Today, on our sixth anniversary, I have a major announcement.

Over the last six years, Made New has worked with thousands of kids, and I could not be prouder of the work we’ve done. Because of that work, there are kids out there who graduated high school. Because of our interventions, many kids have been equipped with the resources they need to succeed, like clean, refurbished laptop computers. Thanks to the tools and resources that we’ve invested in the community, so many kids have experienced STEM tech who may not have had the chance before.

With all of this good, there has been one thing missing: long-term investment into kids’ lives. A study from just a couple years ago shows that if you engage youth in long-term programming, their outcomes drastically improve. Rates of poverty as an adult are reduced. Likelihood of graduating college or securing a stable career are increased. Even their general health improves. The list of benefits goes on and on.

The message is clear – if we want to make long-term improvements in the lives of youth, we have to be there for them, long term. Today I am proud to announce that Made New Makerspace is doing just that.

Starting right now and continuing through the rest of 2024, we are embarking on what I am calling “Project Fusion.” This project is the first phase of a major reworking of Made New Makerspace’s offerings. The end result will be a brand new, long-term program for youth that will launch in January of 2025. This new program will take the very best of what we already do, fusing it together into one cohesive approach that will create a long-term investment into each youth coming into the program.

When this new program launches, it will focus on the long-term success of youth coming into it. The first thing we’re going to do is ensure that they have access to technology to succeed, such as laptops and internet access. From there, we’ll meet with these youth every week in a small group setting. In these groups, youth will learn skills that benefit them in real life.

We want youth to come into this program for the long haul. Unlike many youth programs, these kids won’t be kicked out on their 19th birthday. Instead, they will be invited to continue participating into early adulthood, receiving support and encouragement during years when youth from foster and underserved backgrounds struggle the most.

There is a lot of work to do before this program launches. That’s where Project Fusion comes in. Throughout this phase, we will be working hard, consulting with experts, and building this program into something truly world-class – a flagship program that can serve as a model for excellence in youth services.

Stay tuned, as more will be coming on this new and exciting direction for Made New Makerspace very soon!