FUSION: Housing Families in Need

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.

Description

FUSION is professionally staffed with case managers and a direct services team, and has a robust volunteer corp that supports all aspects of our programs. FUSION owns and operates 25 transitional homes and a 90-bed emergency shelter for families with minor children in their care. Our housing programs shelter over 600 individuals per year, with the goal of finding full time employment, and permanent housing by the time residents leave our care.

Located in Federal Way, FUSION also runs the FUSION Décor Boutique which sells upscale resale furnishings, and 100% managed and run by volunteers. Proceeds from sales help to support our family programs. 

FUSION also owns and operates Poverty Bay Café, a landmark eatery that acts as a job training program for marketable skills in the food industry. 

History

FUSION was created in 1993 when Peggy LaPorte, with a small group of friends meeting around her kitchen table, came up with a concept to help women with children who were facing homelessness. They focused specifically on victims of domestic violence, involving the community in raising funds for their grassroots effort. Within two years FUSION purchased a one-bedroom condominium with a Community Development Block Grant. An Annual Summer Art Event planned and carried out by a then all-volunteer organization provided operating funds for this budding nonprofit.

FUSION and the ecumenical-based Joseph Foundation operated independently for 15 years, providing housing and support for homeless families within Federal Way and Northeast Tacoma. FUSION continued serving abused women and their children, while the Joseph Foundation helped single and dual-parent families in all homeless circumstances. It eventually became apparent that both could better serve the community by merging efforts. The two organizations became one and the same in January 2009, operating with the single mission to help families experiencing homeless under one name: FUSION.