This month, a single mother with six children moved into a home refurbished by Federal Way-based FUSION (Friends United to Shelter the Indigent, Oppressed and Needy).

An open house was held March 15 at the residence, located next to two other FUSION homes on 48th Avenue Court in Northeast Tacoma. Volunteers revamped the home with high-quality donated furniture — from bunk beds and recliners to a wooden china cabinet and a freezer filled with pizzas. Purchased in 2010, the home includes a washer and dryer along with hardwood floors and a stocked kitchen.

This is the largest family served by the non-profit FUSION, which maintains and operates 16 fully-furnished housing units and contracts case management services through Valley Cities Counseling and Consultation. Over the past 18 years, nearly 80 percent of families who received housing from FUSION have successfully moved on to permanent housing.

FUSION holds an annual summer arts festival to benefit local homeless women and children. The 2010 festival raised nearly $113,000. The 2011 event, with the theme “Fantasia,” will be held Aug. 3.

To learn more, visit www.fusionfederalway.org or call (253) 468-6872.