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
Core Beliefs
We believe that everyone has value. We believe in a “Housing First” and hands-on, strength-based approach to service delivery.
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.
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
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, refugees, 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).
Steve Mudd, President
Riney Hancock CPAs
Robert Bernardin, Vice President
Boren Bernardin Schiff Group
Chadd Huffman, Treasurer
Homes by Huffman
Stephanie Stone, Secretary
Old National Bank
Members of the Board
- Kimberly Johns, German American
- David Byrley, CenterPoint Energy
- Elissa Hewins, Social Security Admin
- Sr. Maureen Houlihan, Daughters of Charity
- Jim Thomas, German American Bank
- Clay Ellerbrook, Morley Corp
- Paul Green, Retired
- Stephen Ralph, Evansville Christian Life Center
- Chaz Halsell, Fifth Third Bank
- Tami Osbourne, ORG Chem Group
- Tim Kempf, Community Member
- Joshua Trockman, Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn, LLP
- Mary Reese, Berry Global, Inc.
- Melinda Roberts, University of Southern Indiana
- Kelsey Blackgrave, Deaconess Health Systems
- Kimberly Johns, German American
- David Byrley, CenterPoint Energy
- Elissa Hewins, Social Security Admin
- Clay Ellerbrook, Morley
- Matt Whetstone, First Bank
- Paul Green, IBEW
- Stephen Ralph, Evansville Christian Life Center
- Chaz Halsell, Fifth Third Bank
- Tim Kempf, Community Member
- Joshua Trockman, Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn, LLP
- Mary Reese, Berry Global, Inc.
- Melinda Roberts, University of Southern Indiana
- Sr. Maureen Houlihan, Daughters of Charity
Aurora Staff
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, Diversion, and Homeless Street Outreach Programs.
Stephanie Hinton
Finance & HR Director
Danette Romines
Director of Programs
Susan Steinkamp
Assistant Program Director
Nathan Jochum
Marketing, Communications & Special Events Coordinator
Crystal Arnwine
Grants & Resource Development Officer
Pamela Dillon
Housing First Team Lead
Brandi Scott
Housing First Case Manager
Rose Duran
Re-Entry Team Lead
Nana Wing
Re-Entry Case Manager
Patty Pyle
Claims & Compliance Officer
Natasha Goodge
Outreach Team Lead
Carrie Burress
Outreach Case Manager
Cher'Rita Horne
Outreach Case Manager
Jess Soucy
SOAR Case Manager
Jesse Vanhooser
Prevention/Diversion Program Coordinator
Ashley Sanfilippo
Beacon PSH Program Coordinator
Scott Weaver
Rapid Re-Housing Team Lead
Bridgette Howerton
Rapid Re-Housing Case Manager
Gina Robinson Ungar
Rapid Re-Housing Case Manager
Sophie Hancock
Claims Specialist
Sierra Riordan
Vision 1505 Team Lead
Katie Kreager
Vision 1505 Case Manager
Marlee Pittmann
Vision 1505 Case Manager / Community Engagement Specialist
Receptionist