December 2005
 

we exist to bring an end to homelessness in our community

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1116 Lincoln Ave.

Evansville, IN

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3810 E. Morgan Ave.

Evansville, IN

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Aurora > News > Aurora News > December 2005

Aurora News

December 2005

You normally receive the ECHO NEWS each quarter. On December 1, 2005, ECHO took a new step in our history by changing our name to “Aurora.”

Over the last seventeen years, ECHO has been faithful to our call of creating opportunities for change and to our mission to serve the homeless by developing collaborative community responses to identified needs. ECHO was formed in 1988 and quickly identified two issues that greatly impacted the homeless of our community: the lack of health care and the lack of affordable housing. This led to the formation of two additional organizations, known today as ECHO Community Health Care and ECHO Housing Corporation. But over the last fifteen years confusion has developed because of the existence of three different ECHOs, all providing services to the homeless.

Today, we are once again taking the lead by helping eliminate the confusion that complicates the work of all three organizations. We are now Aurora, giving light to the homeless. Our location remains the same, our services remain the same and our staff remains the same. We believe our mission to end homelessness in our community, however, will burn more brightly as Aurora. This change represents a new dawn for us, for the clients we serve and for our community.

Homelessness has received more attention in the last four months than I can ever remember. The graphic sights of the flood waters of Louisiana, hurricane destruction of Alabama and Mississippi and the recent tornado's path of devastation in our own community have made homelessness very real to our understanding. So many homes are gone – so many lives lost - and countless other lives changed for forever.

The images we have seen help us understand what the loss of safety and security of home would mean. Most of us can only imagine the impact of the loss of the many belongings that hold irreplaceable memories, the loss of pets, and the invasion of privacy because all the details of our lives are exposed.

Homelessness, regardless of the cause, is a traumatic experience. Our community can do very little to prevent natural disasters from invading our lives. If a device existed that could be wrapped around our home and family to protect them from flood, tornados, fire and other natural disasters, each of us would be determined to have it regardless of the cost.

Unfortunately, nothing like this exists. But we do have the tools and the knowledge to prevent many of the personal disasters that leave many of our neighbors homeless on a daily basis. We know how to end homelessness in this community, and Destination Home points the way. Yes, there is a cost involved. But surely the benefits of preventing homelessness outweigh the costs.

For the last four years, Ron Phillips with BuyLow has been very generous in providing classic Thanksgivings trimmings for our Outreach Staff to share with individuals living in places not meant for habitation. This year was no exception. 18 meals were delivered to clients on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

As we reported in June, our building at 1100 Lincoln Avenue received some wonderful improvements and the make-over continued in October. The staff of Vectren's Information Technology Department descended on the property ready to work on Oct. 5th and 6th. They scraped and painted the iron fence, designed and completed landscaping, removed two old tree stumps (what a way to get rid of stress!), planted a tree, replaced some missing bricks, provided some of our much needed interior painting and repainted a weather-beaten sign. This was truly a labor of love as Vectren staff volunteered some of their own time during the week of the Fall Festival. What a sacrifice!

Vectren VP of Information Technology Daniel Bugher also presented a Vectren Foundation check for $ 2,500 to Luzada Hayes to help offset expenses. Project supervisor, Steve Scaggs also worked with area vendors to received discounted or donated materials. In addition to Vectren and its employees, we want to thank Sticks & Stones, Lowe's Westside and Sherwin Williams for their generosity.

Blankets, sleeping bags, socks, gloves, hats, tarps, canned meat and non-perishable food, personal care items.

Solutions for your holiday gift giving

Aurora is always looking for solutions. We have extended this service to fill your holiday gift giving needs.

House Pins and Tie Tacks make excellent gifts because each one is completely unique. Both are attractive, wearable art that raises awareness of homelessness and supports Aurora programs. They're fun to give and receive, so put them on your own wish list! Pins may be purchased for $14.00 at the Aurora office year round.

2006 Calendars are a new addition to our holiday gift giving solutions. “Changing seasons, changing lives” is available at our office for $5.00. These calendars were created promote our new identity and highlight the artistic talent of some of our youngest clients, who range in age from 20 months to 12 years. These delightful calendars make excellent gifts for all the special people in your life.

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Aurora, Inc. | PO Box 74 | 1100 Lincoln Ave. | Evansville, IN 47714 | P: 812.428.3246 | F: 812.428.3253