Oct 8, 2014 | Ending Homelessness, Inspiration, News
This is Part 1 of a four-part series over the next few months as Luzada’s time at Aurora comes to a close. She will be retiring from her current position as Executive Director on December 31. Fifteen years ago when I walked into this organization, I was one of...
Sep 11, 2014 | Blog, Community Change, Homeless Outreach
“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then just feed one.” This quote from Mother Teresa hangs in my office as a daily reminder. When we serve the homeless we are not serving an abstract concept or only trying to reduce some statistic (number of homeless in our...
Aug 26, 2014 | Being a Social Worker, Blog, Homeless Outreach
Pull out your ID. Take a look at it. I bet you are critical about the picture; would you really like it better if you could have smiled? Now embrace your ID. That’s right, hold it up to your cheek, gaze at it longingly, and truly appreciate it because most of you...
Jul 17, 2014 | Being a Social Worker, Blog, Community Change, Inspiration
Staying positive can serve as our best weapon against our most challenging moments! It has been 21 months since I was given the opportunity to become a part of the “Aurora Family.” During this time, I have been able to cross paths with many courageous individuals and...
Jul 3, 2014 | Being a Social Worker, Blog, Having a Home, Inspiration
Love is a shelter in a raging storm Love is peace in the middle of a war This is a quote from one of my favorite songs. This song is “Love is Not a Fight” by Warren Barfield. Love is the great motivator in our lives. If we are motivated to work with our...
Jun 10, 2014 | Being a Social Worker, Blog, Having a Home
Stability. A concept most might take for granted without giving thought to its true meaning. Let’s take a moment to explore this seemingly simple idea. Where does one find stability? At first glance, more tangible things come to mind; employment, family and a...
May 27, 2014 | Being a Social Worker, Blog, Inspiration
I am actually mid-vacation as I write my blog today. That was my mistake for not looking at the calendar on the right day, but at the same time it brings up an important concept that I figured I might as well share. I think about my clients all the time. Even on...
May 19, 2014 | Blog, Having a Home
Vision has changed our lives in so many ways. Besides just giving us a permanent place to call our home, we now have a place we can feel comfortable in. The first day we moved in my child sat on our couch and, with a tear in his eye, said that we can’t live here. When...
Apr 28, 2014 | Being a Social Worker, Blog, Homeless Outreach
As case managers, we are encouraged to “meet people where they are.” When I met with Darla, we sat on the floor of a storage room within the House of Bread and Peace. The room, not only was crowded with Thanksgiving donations ready to be sorted, but it was also the...
Apr 13, 2014 | Blog, Community Change, Homeless Outreach
I have had the pleasure and joy the past few months of being an intern at Aurora with the Homeless Outreach Team. I have learned so much about our community, those who find themselves in a homeless situation, and how Aurora helps in so many ways. I wish everyone would...
