Hello Wonderful Friends of FUSION,
We have so much to share with you and hope that all is well with you! This year has finally culminated in the quantum growth that FUSION is now experiencing in recent days.
During these early weeks in November we are ramping up to get ready for operations at The Pete Andersen FUSION Family Center. We anticipate welcoming our first FUSION families into this Federal Way shelter in late November.
We have hired our Program Manager, Dorsol Plants, who brings with him many years of multifaceted experience leading programs that provide families experiencing homelessness with shelter and supportive services. We also hired our Housing & Employment Specialist, Lorrie Conklin; our Shelter Staff Lead, Selene Holder; and Rachel Hogan, the first of our shelter line staff members. Look forward to photos and biographies on the FUSION Facebook page in the coming weeks to learn more about this talented professional staff.
We are not taking drop-off donations of supplies for The Pete at this time, but there is a way you can contribute with basic needs simply by shopping on Amazon. Personal needs, linens, books, crafts, comfort items for children, as well as supplies for our “moving on” boxes can be ordered and delivered directly to our storage holding site.
Another exciting recent development is that the FUSION mission will be further expanded as we reopen Poverty Bay Café. This community gathering place and hub will eventually provide employment development opportunities paired with case management for FUSION families seeking gainful employment skills and support. Proceeds from the café will provide resources to operate and maintain FUSION programs. This venture aligns perfectly with our mission to provide housing and support services to families experiencing homelessness in our community so they will have a safe, secure environment as they work toward self-sufficiency.
As the weather begins to turn, I can’t help but think about our community members who do not have homes, a warm place to lay their heads at night or the stability that most of us consider a normal part of our daily lives. What FUSION is providing is so important and critical to our community.
And as always, FUSION would not be the vital, successful organization it is today without our contributors, staff, and the legion of volunteer expertise in our Boutique and behind our organizational operations. You are each making a difference, and by working together we will continue to provide services that create safety, stability and healing to families experiencing homelessness.
We wish you and your families a wonderful holiday season and will be in touch again with updates toward the end of the year. It is with much appreciation and gratitude that we share our thanks to you for all you do to support FUSION!
In service,
Robin O’Grady
FUSION, Executive Director