Jul 15, 2015 | Being a Social Worker, Blog, Community Change, Ending Homelessness, Having a Home, Homeless Outreach, Inspiration
Imagine if you will that you are sitting in your doctor’s office talking to him about an upcoming procedure and he tells you that you will need someone to be in the waiting room during the procedure and also someone to drive you home. For many of you, you have a...
Jan 30, 2015 | Inspiration, News
As I think back over the last fifteen years I have so many great memories. Taking the staff to New York for a conference and chasing down the hotel van through the streets of Queens so we could get back to the hotel Being delayed in Chicago because of weather...
Dec 12, 2014 | Being a Social Worker, Inspiration
As I sit here at an empty desk, I’m a ball of emotions, unsure of how to feel exactly, because it is my last day with Aurora. I started my journey (and yes, it truly was a journey…) with Aurora three and half years ago. This was my first leap into the...
Nov 19, 2014 | Being a Social Worker, Inspiration, News
This is Part 2 of a four-part series over the next month as Luzada’s time at Aurora comes to a close. She will be retiring from her current position as Executive Director on December 31. Part 1 can be found here. My quest to end homelessness has been filled with so...
Nov 10, 2014 | Being a Social Worker, Ending Homelessness, Homeless Outreach, Inspiration
I began my foray into homelessness in 2009 when I nervously began my social work career as an intern on Aurora’s Homeless Outreach Team. However, it didn’t take long for me to come out of my shell and jump right in to servicing our local homeless. Like an addiction, I...
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...
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...
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...
Mar 2, 2014 | Blog, Having a Home, Inspiration
“Dream no small dreams for they have no power to move the hearts of men.”— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe I am disappointed with myself that I fall into the cliché of starting writings with the use of quotes. I tend to start there for inspiration and then feel that I...
Feb 12, 2014 | Blog, Homeless Outreach, Inspiration
The past three months have been one of the most humbling and rewarding experiences of my life. It has made me realize just how truly blessed I am. The term “homeless” has now taken on new meanings for me. From the conversations I’ve had on the phone...
Nov 20, 2013 | Blog, Having a Home, Homeless Outreach, Inspiration
“What and who is Aurora and why were they speaking at my church’s Alter Society meeting????” Little did I know, the big Man upstairs had it all planned out. That night changed my life. I lived in my own little world and I thought that we only had a few...