Fuse Project

We are incredibly grateful to White Car Book Club for sponsoring our literacy programming this year and helping us put meaningful reading support into the hands of students who need it most. Their investment helps fuel a love of reading, strengthen foundational skills, and open doors to lifelong learning.

Support like this reminds us how powerful small groups can be when they come together around a shared purpose. If your book club, reading group, or community circle is looking for a meaningful way to get involved, we’d love to connect!

Thank you, White Car Book Club, for helping us light the fuse through literacy! ✨📖

Thanks to Ashland Place Preschool and their generous holiday toy drive, the Florence Howard Elementary School Store is now stocked with an amazing haul of gifts from sports balls and craft kits to mini electronics, Squishmallows, and fun treats. These items will become meaningful incentives for students when the store opens in January, celebrating their effort, growth, and positive choices all year long.

Thank you, Ashland Place, for lighting the fuse this season and reminding our community what giving looks like. Your kindness is helping us fuel confidence, joy, and motivation for kids in our community.

A Bittersweet Farewell to Mary Frances 🩵💚
It is with full hearts that we share that our Development Director,Mary Frances Hendren Clarke, will soon be stepping into an exciting new role as Managing Director for Airbus’s Flight Works Alabama. While we are sad to see her go, we could not be prouder of her or more grateful for the indelible mark she has left on Fuse Project.

Since joining us in the summer of 2021, Mary Frances has been nothing short of extraordinary. She has been involved in so many moving parts of our organization, managing day-to-day operations for Fuse Factory and Order of Fuse, leading Academic Support for our ABC Program in the Avenue schools weekly (and often daily in the summer), emceeing Lip Sync Battle, and stepping up in every moment to do whatever was needed. Her energy, passion, and dedication have shaped programs, strengthened partnerships, and touched countless lives.

Even our students in the Avenue community have come to know and expect her smiling face. Her presence will be deeply missed by all of us, including by the children she has championed so fiercely. While her departure leaves big shoes to fill, our team is strong, experienced, and fully committed to carrying forward the mission. We continue to be fueled by the same joy and spirit of service and excellence she has brought to the table.

Mary Frances, thank you for everything - for the heart you poured into this work, the standard you set, and the legacy you leave behind. We are cheering you on as you begin this exciting new chapter, and we know you will accomplish incredible things at Flight Works Alabama. We also look forward to seeing you around in the future as a volunteer, Order of Fuse member, and (hopefully!🤞) a community partner!

Please join us in congratulating Mary Frances and wishing her all the success in her next adventure. Once Fuse Family, always Fuse Family. ⚡️💥🤘clarke