March 2005
 

we exist to bring an end to homelessness in our community

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Aurora > News > Aurora News > March 2006

Aurora News

March 2006

Sr. Mary Ann Woodward has joined the staff of Aurora. Sr. Mary Ann was formerly on our board and has moved into a newly-created position of Community Liaison. Sr. Mary Ann is a nurse by profession and is also trained in massage therapy for the disadvantaged. She will continue giving massages at several shelters and serve as our liaison to the medical and faith-based communities.

We also welcome two part-time staff through the AARP Senior Community Service Employment Program. Leroy Herring keeps our building in tip top shape and Kay Ward keeps our books. They have been an excellent addition to our program.

Darrell Ragland, a recognized community volunteer and Cindy Turpen, a CPA with Vowells and Schaaf, LLC, joined our board in January. We are looking forward to the exciting months ahead as we get to know Darrell and Cindy better.

Rev. Johnson, former pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church, has been very supportive of our mission since 2000. Trinity has hosted our Homeless Memorial Service for the last six years and Rev. Johnson supported the vision to end homelessness. We wish him well as he has moved to Indianapolis.

We also welcome Rev. Al Amstutz who has come to Trinity from Indianapolis. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Trinity and eagerly welcome Rev. Amstutz to our community.

There is an old saying that good things come to those who wait. I have been waiting, hoping and praying for additional staff for the last three years. And now that waiting has truly paid off in ways that I could never have imaged possible. The name change has given us a new platform to promote our mission and has energized our passion. We truly are on the brink of a new dawn in how we understand and respond to homelessness. We have added new staff without additional salary costs. And with the generosity of two foundations, will be adding two more staff in the very near future.

I have also been waiting for the vision of ending homelessness to catch hold within the community and I am beginning to see some great partnerships being formed. I am being invited to other collaborative efforts that see how we share many of the same concerns. The lack of a safe place to call home can only compound the impact of other social issues. Stable housing provides the foundation from which all other institutions of life build on.

There are so many pieces of the puzzle needed to end homelessness, but the opportunities have never been greater. The momentum is growing and producing many good things. I will continue to steadily piece together the frame of the puzzle while I wait for the rest of the pieces to be identified. Perhaps you are in possession of a vital piece. Together, the whole community working together, one piece at a time, that's how we end homelessness.

— With a grateful heart, Luzada Hayes

We are particularly in need of canned meat, soups and stews, new socks and underwear and dishes.

Dec. 8, 2005 – remember the day the ice storm arrived in Evansville at about 7:00 in the morning?  That was the day slated for our first year celebration of Destination Home. Despite the frightful weather, about 60 committed individuals joined us in celebrating the accomplishments of 2005 and to look ahead to the challenges of 2006. Mayor Weinzapfel welcomed the group and offered congratulations on the successes of the last year. County Commissioner Tom Shelter, Jr. encouraged the group to look forward to the opportunities that 2006 will present for our community.

Jeff Whiteside, VP of Communications and Public Affairs for Vectren congratulated the group on the level of collaboration demonstrated for this project and announced that Vectren would be joining Destination Home as a Corporate Sponsor. Vectren committed $50,000 over the next three years and will also be encouraging other businesses to invest in the vision of ending homelessness in our community.

We ended the celebration with cake and opportunities to network. Many thanks to all our speakers, the staff of Pigeon Township Trustee's office who attended to the refreshments, the staff of central Library, the staff and board of directors of Aurora and all that have embraced the vision to end homelessness.

If you would like to receive e-mail bi-monthly updates on the progress of Destination: Home, please send a message to info@auroraevansville.org

The impact of homelessness on children is well documented. They experience increased health problems, impaired child development and school performance as well as higher stress levels than children in stable housing. They are at twice the risk of becoming homeless adults. As a homeless prevention strategy, several agencies are working together to develop a coordinated early childhood development program to serve homeless children ages 0-5 while they reside in local homeless shelters. We hope to partner with other developing projects to maximize our impact.  More details will follow as the project progress.

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