Who We Are

Aurora is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the homeless and near homeless in the Greater Evansville, IN area. Each year, we serve over 500 individuals: men, women, children, those with disabilities, and the re-entry population. 

In 2016 Aurora was named “Non-Profit of the Year” by the Chamber and in 2017 “Organization of the Year” by Leadership Evansville. Aurora was also named a United Way Partner Agency in 2011. 

Mission & Vision

Our Mission is creating solutions to prevent and striving to end homelessness in our community. Our Vision: We believe that the community will be stronger when every man, woman and child have a safe, decent, and sustainable place to call home.
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Core Beliefs

We believe that everyone has value. We believe in a “Housing First” and hands-on, strength-based approach to service delivery.

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Our Pledge

Aurora pledges to be actively involved in:

  • Direct Services: Providing services to the homeless and near homeless in our community
  • Prevention: Promoting services that prevent homelessness
  • Community Awareness: Educating the community on homelessness
  • Collaboration: Facilitating collaboration among agencies, churches, schools, business, etc.
  • Advocacy: Advocating for the social and economic changes necessary to make ending homelessness a reality.
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Our Core Values

  • Collaboration: Working together, united in action
  • Vision: The ability to dream and serve as a catalyst
  • Integrity: Interactions are based on Social Work Code of Ethics, honoring HMIS Privacy Practices
  • Competence: Emphasis on training, use of evidence-based practices
  • Passion: Enthusiasm, strong desire, extravagant fondness
  • Determination: Strongly motivated to succeed
  • Compassion: Understanding that the experience of homelessness can result in emotional distress, including trauma
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Our History

Founded in 1988, Aurora leads the way in our community with three decades of experience of ending homelessness. Beginning as a coalition of individuals and organizations working for the homeless, Aurora has grown into an independent organization that takes on many projects, programs and endeavors to ensure that those without a place to call home are not forgotten.

As a homeless service provider, our mission is creating solutions to prevent and striving to end chronic homelessness in our community. Aurora impacts 1,600+ men, women and children annually and collaborates with over 75 agencies. We serve anyone who is homeless, chronically homeless (without a home for longer than 12 months), or at risk of becoming homeless. This includes adults, children, those with disabilities, veterans and the re-entry population. In 2016 Aurora was named “Non-Profit of the Year” by the Chamber and in 2017 “Organization of the Year” by Leadership Evansville (now Leadership Everyone).

Officers of the Board

Chaz Halsell, President

Chaz Halsell, President

Fifth Third Bank

Chadd Huffman, Vice President

Chadd Huffman, Vice President

Homes by Huffman

Andrew Cope, Treasurer

Andrew Cope, Treasurer

Liberty Federal Credit Union

Tanya Schmitt, Secretary

Tanya Schmitt, Secretary

Heritage Federal Credit Union

Members of the Board

    • Elliott Kavanaugh, First Bank
    • Elissa Hewins, Social Security Admin
    • Randy Goodwin, Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 136
    • Brandi Wall, Woodforest Bank
    • Lateesa Johnson, Southwestern Behavioral Health
    • Henry Steckler, Hafer
  • Stephanie Stone, Old National Bank – Past President
  • Kelsey Blackgrave, Deaconess Health Systems 
  • Shawn Mundy, CenterPoint Energy
  • Adam Grant,  Ascension St. Vincent
  • Kim Hief, German American Bank

Aurora Staff

Zachary Heronemus

Zachary Heronemus

Executive Director

Zachary Heronemus, MPA, was appointed Executive Director by the Board of Directors and joined Aurora, Inc. in January 2020. He leads the agency’s strategic direction, serves as the chief development officer, and supports its team of professionals who work to prevent and end homelessness in Evansville and the surrounding community. These efforts include Aurora’s valued Rapid-Rehousing, Re-Entry, Permanent Supportive Housing, Housing First, and Homeless Street Outreach Programs.

812-901-1042
Email

Stephanie Hinton

Finance & HR Director

812-901-1041
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Jillian Hall

Director of Programs

812-901-1056
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Rose Duran, BSW

Programs Manager

812-901-1058
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Sophie Hancock

Marketing & Development Officer

812-901-1057
Email

Crystal Southern

Resource Development Officer

812-901-1043
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Patty Pyle

Claims & Compliance Officer

812-901-1049
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Sierra Riordan

Grants & Data Manager

Julie Pruitt

Administrative Assistant

812-901-1002
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Sherry Swope

Beacon PSH Program Coordinator

812-901-1055
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Amanda Farmer

Homeless Prevention & Diversion Program Coordinator

812-901-1052
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Carrie Burress, MSW

Outreach Team Lead

812-746-2152
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Daniel Baehl, BSW

Outreach Case Manager

812-459-7722
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Christa Thomas

Outreach Case Manager

812-746-2218
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Susan Steinkamp

Outreach Case Manager

812-457-0202
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Teresa Goodrich

Rapid Re-Housing Team Lead

812-901-1038
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Haley Keown, BSW

Housing First Case Manager

812-901-1045 
Email

Brooke Wilson

Housing First Case Manager

812-901-1048
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Paul Newell

Front Office Administrator

812-428-3246

Katie Kreager, BSW

Vision 1505 Team Lead

812- 708-0323
Email

Shelby Lindy, BSW

Vision 1505 Case Manager

812-708-0929
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Holly Dutton, BCJ

Re-Entry Case Manager

812-901-1040 
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Nana Wing

Re-Entry Team Lead

812-901-1047
Email

Da'Jour Howard

Vision 1505 Community Engagement

812-708-0939
Email

 Racial Justice Statement

Aurora, Inc. is committed to the principle that all persons shall have equal access to programs, facilities, services, and employment without regard to personal characteristics not related to ability, performance, or qualifications as determined by Aurora’s policy and/or applicable laws. Aurora prohibits discrimination, harassment and bullying against any person because of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religion, gender, sexual or affectional orientation, gender identity, appearance, matriculation, political affiliation, marital status, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. Aurora expects that its employees, volunteers, and Board of Directors, when and where ever those individuals are conducting business or participating in events or activities, shall maintain an environment free of discrimination, including harassment, bullying, or retaliation. In carrying out this mission and in carrying out fiduciary responsibilities, Aurora recognizes the dignity of individuals and the strengths and resources they possess to contribute to the homeless and other economically disadvantaged persons in seeking solutions for homelessness without regard to race, creed, color, gender, familial status, or national origin. 

Financial Accountability

We strive to be transparent when it comes to our finances. Click the button to view our most recent audit.

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