About Us
Our
Story
For the past seven years, F.U.S.E has served women and their children on Valley Brook Community Church Campus. Our Family home model has a track record of success. We have a vision to move forward to purchase our own campus that will include a serene setting, a wellness center, and independent housing.
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We are a 501(c)(3) that exists to bring awareness, encourage others to serve, and provides restorative solutions for the most at-risk amongst us.
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Mission:
We help people who are in life transition by providing safe affordable housing in nice neighborhoods so that they can focus on building the life they want in a supportive environment.
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Vision:
Our vision is to make a positive impact on the lives of others by ending housing insecurity one person and one house at a time.
Team
President/Treasurer
Sherry Danalis
Sherry Danalis has been married to Stephen Danalis for 31 years and has 2 grown sons, Cameron and Alexander. In 2008 they suffered the tragic loss of their adopted daughter from Korea. What followed awakened the passion to learn more about the plight of young women who experience loss and exploitation when they don't have the support, resources, and community they desperately need for better outcomes. What started as a platform of awareness has now grown to provide safe housing options. The first home, Nehemiah House, for seven years, offered a family-style residential home with pathways to financial stability and independence and closed in December 2023 to transition to independent housing, called Renewal Home. F.U.S.E. was established in 2010 (received charitable status in the summer of 2011).
Co-Founder
Stephen Danalis
Stephen graduated from Rhode Island School of Design in 1984 with a Bachelor in Culinary Arts. A Restaurateur and entrepreneur for several years, serving on several mission trips through the AG World Missions (MAPS) ranging from pouring concrete floors and walls in Costa Rica and Honduras to accompanying a medical outreach in Kenya until "THE CALL" to the Mission Field himself in the States. Stephen's heart cry is to see faith communities emerge with one voice, not only to raise awareness but more importantly INSPIRE others into action on behalf of the vulnerable. To see the church come together in unity so that the world will see God’s heart when He works through His people.
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Board Member/ Secretary
JooRi
Johnson
JooRi Johnson has worked on affordable housing developments in Western Massachusetts for the last 10 years, specializing in Low Income Housing Tax Credit projects. She has been directly involved in the preservation and production of over 1,200 housing units totaling over $250 million dollars in development funding.
JooRi experiences includes (but not limited to) initial feasibility analysis, submission of financing applications, assistance with syndication and finance compliance, project financial administration and close-out, coordination of transactional legal services and financial closings, as well as coordination of professional design services, GM/CM selection, marketing studies, environmental
reports and appraisals.
Prior to joining MBL Housing and Development (previous employer), Joori received a law degree from Western New England University, School of Law and is also a certified mediator.
She has served on the Boards of the Valley Community Development Corporation and was a founding member of F.U.S.E.
Board Member
Gina
McDonald
With over two decades of experience in real estate, Gina brings a dynamic blend of market insight, design expertise, and strategic negotiation to her role at FUSE.
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Gina's journey began in short sales recovery, where she helped families navigate complex financial transitions. She later expanded into home design and remodeling, collaborating with multiple builders to transform properties and unlock their full potential. ​Her transition into real estate sales was a natural evolution, allowing her to guide buyers toward homes that reflect both vision and value. She has worked closely with banks on wholesale transactions and supported investors in building sustainable portfolios. Gina leads two teams, one in Connecticut and the other in Northeast Florida.
Her deep understanding of housing systems and her commitment to client-centered solutions make her a vital contributor to FUSE’s mission of expanding access, stability, and dignity through housing.
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Board Member
Aaron
Blair
Aaron Blair is the founder and CEO of The Conifer Co. He brings a rare combination of experience to this work — having served as a senior executive at a nationwide church design-build firm, and before that as an executive pastor overseeing the acquisition, design, and construction of a church campus. He has been on both sides of the table: as the ministry leader carrying the weight of facility decisions, and as the industry professional helping churches navigate them. Aaron holds a degree in Urban Planning and brings years of placemaking and community development work to his practice. He founded The Conifer Co. in early 2025 to give churches an accessible, strategy-first option that most firms don't offer.
Board Member
Jessica
Blair
Jessica Blair is a co-founder of The Conifer Co. and brings deep experience in community engagement, church ministry, event development, and small business leadership. As a former Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Director, she championed tourism and local business development by forging strategic partnerships and producing large-scale community events that strengthened both visibility and revenue for the region.
As a Main Street business owner, Jessica transformed a once-blighted property into a thriving enterprise, contributing to the revitalization of the surrounding district. Her leadership and entrepreneurial excellence earned her recognition as a finalist for the Albany Chamber’s Small Business of the Year and the top honor at the Albany Area Black Expo in 2012. She is also a recipient of the prestigious 40 Under 40 award.
Beyond her civic and business accomplishments, Jessica plays a vital role in church development, missions work, and ministry events. She has helped plan and execute impactful church outreach initiatives, and community-centered gatherings that create meaningful engagement both locally and abroad. Her passion for missions and global outreach reflects her heart for serving communities beyond the local church walls.
Jessica’s experience in business operations, strategic event planning, ministry coordination, and community development reflects her lifelong commitment to building vibrant, faith-centered, and economically strong communities.