The Toledo Rotary Club Foundation recently awarded the Aurora Project, Inc. a grant in the amount of $4,475. A portion of the funds were used to purchase two ZappBug Ovens and a commercial grade freezer.
The purpose of the ZappBug Ovens is to prevent the introduction of bed bugs and other types of infestation into their congregate site. The commercial grade freezer will allow them to purchase and then store bulk food items such as meats, vegetables, etc. This will result in cost savings to the organization.
The ZappBug oven was used two days after receipt; a program participant contracted shingles and all clothing and bedding needed to be disinfected. Using the device, they were able to do so within a very short period of time. The freezer was put to use immediately upon receipt.
By having the ZappBug ovens, Aurora Project will experience cost and time savings due to having a sanitizer on-site, as opposed to having to retain the services of an exterminator for infestations.
Aurora Project, Inc. is a comprehensive housing and life skills program that empowers homeless women and their children to achieve self sufficiency and independence, by providing resources and learning opportunities in a supportive and safe environment.
Aurora Project, Inc. was established in 1986 to provide service enriched housing to homeless women and their children. Aurora is the only program in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan that will allow children to reside with their mothers while addressing the issues which led to their homelessness. The families Aurora serves have extremely complex service needs and are homeless for a variety of reasons, i.e., chemical dependency, severe mental health, domestic violence and economic downturn (loss of employment/foreclosure). In fiscal year 2015/2016, Aurora served 46 women and 53 children (resident/visiting) The yearly cost of serving a family is approximately $10,000, and of those women who complete their program, 70% will remain successful, i.e. housing, employment/education, etc.
Aurora operates 23 units of housing at four sites:
- Aurora House has 13 units of housing at its congregate facility locate at 1035 N. Superior Street
- Four one bedroom step-up apartments located at 702 North Erie Street (Covenant House)
- Two permanent housing units located at 1023-1025 N. Superior
- Four apartments of Permanent Supportive Housing located at 529 Elm Street
Covenant House is a component of our program which offers more independence for women as they learn to use the skills they have acquired in the congregate living component of Aurora House.
Programming
Programs are offered to families which will increase their opportunity to obtain and maintain permanent housing:
- Life skills
- Financial management
- Parent education
- Relapse prevention
- Computer lab
- Employment/job skills training
- Nutrition education
- Creative exploration
- Story Time – reading strategies, language development strategies, etc.
