Community Development
 

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 > About Us > Programs >

Housing Programs | Direct Services | Community Development

Community Development

Aurora provides services to other service providers and the community at large through...

• Awareness & Education

• Collaboration

• Prevention

• Advocacy

Awareness and Education

Aurora has consistently taken a leadership role in educating the community about the needs and opportunities available to address those conditions which contribute to homelessness and poverty.

Speakers' Bureau

Through Aurora's "Speakers' Bureau," community groups can host a presenter who brings a custom presentation on the facts and faces of homelessness, current system of service delivery, gaps and barriers in service, issues of poverty from a local and national perspective, and/or the solutions to end homelessness. 

Supplying Technical Assistance and Staff Training

Aurora staff assist other agencies in program development and awareness of the barriers and service needs of the homeless population.

National Homeless Memorial Day

In conjunction with the National Coalition for the Homeless, Aurora sponsored Evansville’s first public memorial service in 2000 to recognize individuals who have died while being homeless. The recognition is normally held on or close to the first day of winter. Thirty-two names were collected locally dating back to 1990. A total of 70 names are currently memorialized.  Read more

Volunteer Projects

When individuals or groups express interest in helping Aurora, staff use those opportunities to blend skills, interest and availability with tasks that assist Aurora in carrying out its mission, including Destination: Home strategies.  During volunteer projects, staff take time to educate the volunteers regarding homeless issues, services, and solutions.

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Collaboration

H.E.L.P. Facilitator

Aurora staff offered to facilitate a support group for local emergency shelter and transitional housing program managers and front line staff. This group was organized in September 2000 and selected the name Helping Each other Learn Partners, Patience, Peace, and Priorities (H.E.L.P.). The goal of the group is to provide knowledge, support and encouragement to one another as we all work with the homeless population. Eleven of the currently operating 13 agencies support this group. The group furthers the commitment of Aurora to provide collaborative opportunities and to foster educational awareness of the needs of the homeless population.      

Vectren Networking Group

Aurora initiated and continues to facilitate a group consisting of social service providers and Vectren Customer Service and Credit staff who look at the issues and impact of utility bills on people with low-income of our community. Vectren staff have made some internal changes to help agencies assist clients with their bills. We also have open dialog about the needs of the low-income population and brainstorm options or services that would assist clients in their struggle to keep utility bills current.

Resource Coordinator for "Destination: Home"

Following the lead of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, Destination: Home--a Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness in Evansville and Vanderburgh County was developed locally over a 29 month period of time by 200 plus community volunteers. Implementation of the plan began in 2005 and Aurora serves as the lead agency in the coordination of the strategies outlined in the plan.

The plan is a paradigm shift in how we perceive homelessness and in how we deliver services. It outlines a shift from an emergency and crisis driven approach to one of prevention and establishing permanent solutions.

"Destination: Home" can be found in PDF format at www.destination-home.info. For an overview, click the logo on this page.

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Prevention

Tenant Education

Aurora has developed a tenant education curriculum designed to help participants avoid eviction.  This is our first attempt at a preventive approach to homelessness. To our knowledge, no other program with this particular focus is being offered in the community. Based on outcome measures, we hope to seek additional funds to offer the program to residents of shelters, transitional programs, other housing complexes, and the community at large.

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Advocacy

Aurora has consistently taken a leadership role in advocating for homeless and near-homeless persons.

Through serving on various local and state boards and councils, Aurora staff advocate for changes in social and economic systems that create barriers and contribute to the reality of homelessness in our community. Some of these groups include Homeless Services Council of Southwest Indiana, Partners in Caring, Early Childhood Development Coalition, and the Emergency Food and Shelter Board. 

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