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. 

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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 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).

Aurora Staff

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Ryan Scott

Executive Director

Ryan Scott was appointed Executive Director by the Board of Directors and joined Aurora, Inc. in December 2025. 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, Prevention/Diversion, and Homeless Street Outreach Programs.

812-901-1042

Stephanie Hinton

Finance & HR Director

812-901-1042

Jillian Hall

Director of Programs

812-901-1056

Sierra Riordan

Grants & Data Manager

Rose Duran, BSW

Programs Manager

812-901-1058

Crystal Southern

Resource Development Officer

812-901-1043

Patty Pyle

Claims & Compliance Officer

812-901-1049

Sophie Hancock

Marketing & Development Officer

812-901-1057

Teresa Bolents

Rapid Re-Housing Team Lead

812-974-3203

OPEN

Front Office Administrator

812-428-3246

Annetta Boyd

Outreach Case Manager

812-742-1918

Brooke Lambert, BCJ

Outreach Case Manager

812-708-0929

Amanda Farmer

Homeless Prevention & Diversion Program Coordinator

812-901-1052

Susan Steinkamp

Crisis Intervention Specialist

812-457-0202

Sherry Swope

Beacon PSH Program Coordinator

812-742-1921

Lukas Steward, BSW

Outreach Program Coordinator

812-549-0494

Haley Keown, MSW

Housing First Case Manager

812-708-0939

Holly Dutton, BCJ

Re-Entry Case Manager

812-459-7722

Nana Wing

Re-Entry Team Lead

812-974-3625

Kelsey Teel

Vision 1505 Case Manager

812-553-2188

Board of Director Officers

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Chaz Halsell,

President

Fifth Third Bank

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Chadd Huffman,

Vice President

Homes by Huffman

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Tanya Schmitt,

Treasurer

Heritage Federal Credit Union

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Elliott Kavanaugh,

Secretary

Fifth Third Bank

Board of Directors

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Elissa Hewins

Social Security Admin

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Brandi Wall

Woodforest Bank

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Lateesa Johnson

ECHO Housing

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Henry Steckler

Hafer

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Danniece Henderson

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Hollie Butler

ECHO Community Healthcare

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Lauren Witsman

Ascension St. Vincent

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Kelsey Blackgrave

Innovative Healthcare Collaborative of Indiana

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Shawn Mundy

Centerpoint Energy

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John Bates

Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 136

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Kyle Hanebutt

German American Bank

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Cara Gile

Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Indiana Realty

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Jeffrey Huelson

Wood Forest Bank

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Craig Emig

Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn LLP

Financial Accountability

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

Equal Opportunity 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 orientation, 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 wherever 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.