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Housing Starter Kits

When our Homeless Outreach Team assists our clients into permanent housing, quite often clients, both individuals and families, have nothing to start setting up housekeeping or to furnish a home.

[PLEASE NOTE: Kits are ONLY for the clients we serve.
They are not able to be requested by others not already in our programs.]

Would you like to help us prepare to assist our clients in setting up house?

For other ways to help through Housing Starter Kits ...

PLEASE SCHEDULE YOUR DONATION of entire Kits (we have very limited storage space)

Let us know what you'd like to donate download our Housing Starter Kit brochure

DONATIONS ARE NEEDED please deliver to Aurora's office, 1100 Lincoln Ave.

These items can be quite helpful to a family or individual we're assisting in re-establishing a home:

  • KITCHEN: Silverware (knives, forks, spoons); Cooking Utensils (large spoons, knives, spatula, pot holders, measuring cups, measuring spoons, etc.); Frying pans, sauce pans, lids; Dishes (cereal bowls, fruit/pudding bowls, cups, glasses, large & small plates); Misc. (aluminum foil, sandwich bags, can opener, salt/pepper shakers, salt & pepper, silverware organizer, ice cube trays, etc.)
  • LINEN: Sets of sheets, pillows, blankets, bath towels, shower curtain & rings, dish towels, wash cloths, sponges
  • CLEANING SUPPLIES: Broom, dust pan, waste basket, cleaning solutions (toilet, dish, kitchen, window, dusting, etc.), toilet brush, plunger, paper products (paper towels, toilet paper, Kleenex), laundry basket, detergent, trash bags
  • PERSONAL SUPPLIES: soap, deodorant or antiperspirant, tooth paste, tooth brush, feminine hygiene products
  • MISC: light bulbs, smoke alarm, fire extinguisher (small for A, B, C fires)
  • CONTAINERS: 30 gal. plastic tubs with lids and sturdy handles; 13 gal. tall kitchen trash can; small, round laundry basket ($1 at Dollar Tree)

Background
Each month, Aurora's Homeless Outreach Team assists an average of four families and/or individuals re-establish housing after experiencing homelessness in our community.

When many families and individuals become homeless, often having a lack of storage options, they lose all their belongings while seeking shelter or the means to be housed.

The Homeless Outreach Team builds relationships with people who are in shelters or on the street, offering case management services. In 2006, 57% of Aurora's clients obtained permanent housing.

Since the spring of 1998, when Aurora began providing case management for people in Evansville and Vanderburgh County, the organization has recognized the need for basic household items to assist clients set up a home again. Aurora continually accepts donations of household items, which are then given to clients as needed. Download (WishList)

Ben Copeland, a former client in his early 60's, said he was "thankful for everything, including the silverware and dishes. My money is tight and I couldn't have paid for everything." At the time, Ben could've used a shower curtain and cleaning supplies, but none were available in donations.

"When watching staff try to gather useful household items from the donations on hand," observed Sr. Mary Ann Woodward, Community Liaison, "it became apparent that if those basics were pre-packaged, it would save the team members time and guarantee that clients receive similar start-up essentials." Thus, the Housing Starter Kit idea began.

Through organizing current donations, Aurora often discovers gaps in supplies of essential kitchen, linen, cleaning or personal supplies. The list above contains items sought for creating Housing Starter Kits.

By creating Housing Starter Kits, Aurora foresees several helpful outcomes, such as a better organization of donated items, a clearer knowledge of needed supplies, and a more efficient packaging to aid in distributing donations.

"With our first Housing Starter Kit assembly event, eighteen volunteers created twelve complete kits and the start of at least a half dozen more," states Aurora. Future Housing Starter Kit assembly events are expected to be scheduled based on items received.

Groups looking for ways to practically help our neighbors who are homeless might consider holding "kitchen showers" or collecting specific items on the Housing Starter Kit list. Yard sale or consignment shop leftovers that fit the needs list are also welcome.

Donated items are requested to be delivered to Aurora's office at 1100 Lincoln Ave. during business hours (M-Th 8:00 am - 5:00 pm; Fri. 8:00 am - 4:00 pm).

For more information on Housing Starter Kits, contact Aurora via email us or call 437-2756 or visit www.auroraevansville.org