Our Model
An 18–24 Month Journey Toward a Self-Directed Life.
The Dunamis Diversion model is not a program you complete — it is a journey you take. Six stages, each one building on the last, each one moving a young person closer to stability, independence, and purpose.
Exit at Entry
Planning the Way Out From the Moment They Walk In.
Most transitional programmes wait until a young person is about to leave before asking what comes next. At Dunamis Diversion, reentry planning begins on day one. From the first point of contact — whether a diversion referral, a court order, or a foster care placement — we are already building the plan for what life looks like on the other side. This is what we call our "exit at entry" philosophy, and it shapes every stage of the journey.
18–24 months
Programme Duration
6
Stages
28+
Outcome Indicators
The Six Stages
Each stage is intentional, sequential, and built on the one before it.
Assessment & Entry Planning
Understanding the whole person from day one.
Every journey begins with a thorough, strengths-based assessment. We work with each young person to understand their history, their goals, their support network, and the barriers they face — and we begin building the reentry plan immediately.
- Comprehensive needs and strengths assessment
- Goal-setting and individual service planning
- Reentry plan development
- Connection to immediate supports
Stabilisation & Safety
Securing the foundation before building anything else.
Growth is impossible without safety. This stage focuses on securing stable housing, meeting basic needs, and ensuring every young person has a safe, supportive environment from which to move forward.
- Emergency and transitional housing support
- Basic needs assessment and connection
- Safety planning
- Crisis intervention and stabilisation
Education & Skill Building
Re-engaging with learning and building the skills that open doors.
Education is one of the most powerful pathways out of the system. We work to re-engage young people with formal education, vocational training, and the practical life skills they need to thrive as adults.
- School re-enrolment and academic support
- GED and alternative education pathways
- VR Trades Training programme
- Life skills and financial literacy
Restorative Relationships
Rebuilding the connections that sustain long-term change.
Lasting change happens in the context of relationships. This stage focuses on rebuilding family connections, developing prosocial peer networks, and engaging with community — through restorative justice processes where appropriate.
- Family engagement and mediation
- Restorative justice processes
- Prosocial peer network development
- Community integration activities
Career & Life Skills
Preparing for employment, financial independence, and adult life.
With a stable foundation in place, young people are ready to build toward economic independence. This stage focuses on career exploration, job readiness, and the practical skills needed to navigate adult life.
- Career exploration and job readiness training
- Employer partnerships and job placement
- Financial literacy and budgeting
- Driver's licence and transport support
Transition & Aftercare
Stepping into a stable, self-directed future — with ongoing support.
The journey does not end when the programme does. This final stage supports young people as they step into independent adult life, with ongoing check-ins, community connections, and access to support whenever they need it.
- Independent living transition planning
- Ongoing aftercare check-ins
- Alumni network and peer mentoring
- Long-term community connection
Student Subcommittee
Youth Voice at the Heart of Everything We Do.
The Dunamis Diversion Student Subcommittee is a formal advisory body made up of current and former programme participants. Their lived experience is not a footnote — it is a core input into how we design, deliver, and improve every aspect of our model.
Subcommittee members participate in programme design reviews, provide feedback on services, and help shape the direction of the organisation. This is not tokenism. This is accountability.
We believe that the people most affected by a system should have the most say in how it works. The Student Subcommittee is how we live that belief.
Programme Design Input
Subcommittee members review and provide feedback on programme design, service delivery, and policies.
Peer Mentoring
Alumni members serve as peer mentors for current participants, providing lived-experience guidance and support.
Community Representation
Subcommittee members represent the programme in community forums, partner meetings, and advocacy spaces.
Outcome Review
Members participate in reviewing programme outcomes and helping identify areas for improvement.
Want to Learn More About Our Approach?
Whether you are a system partner, a researcher, or someone who wants to refer a young person — we would love to talk.