Aurora homeless shelter wins Purdue families award
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Heart House Inc., a homeless shelter serving the five southeastern counties of Dearborn, Ripley, Ohio, Switzerland and Franklin, has been named the winner of the ninth annual Purdue University Inspiring Families and Building Communities Award.
The award, announced by Dennis Savaiano, dean of the College of Consumer and Family Sciences, honors organizations that have a direct impact on the community and have improved the well-being of Indiana families. The winner will receive a certificate and a $1,000 cash award.
In addition, two Indiana programs - Esperanza Ministries of Johnson County in Greenwood and Family Matters of Posey County in Mt. Vernon - were finalists for the award. Each will receive a certificate and $500.
Heart House Inc. is a 60-bed shelter serving five southeastern counties to provide a safe haven where families and individuals can reorganize their lives and learn the life skills needed to return to their community as productive citizens. Since 2002 almost 1,700 homeless people have stayed at the shelter, with about 400 being children. Residents are required to take classes in budgeting, money management, nutrition and parenting in order to prepare for self-sufficiency. In 2009 the employment rate of those in the shelter who were employable was 68 percent.
More information about Heart House and the other programs is available at https://www.cfs.purdue.edu/about/awards/ifbc/2007_winners.html
Esperanza Ministries has been serving the Greenwood area for five years by targeting the educational and medical needs of the area's Hispanic population. Esperanza has grown from a Homework Club program and interpreting for parent teacher-conferences to a comprehensive community resource.
Family Matters is focused on needs and services in Posey County by linking families with agencies and organizations and leading the way in responding to the needs of residents. Family Matters has enabled individuals and families to improve their quality of life by building local assistance, promoting community cooperation and promoting safe sleeping environments for infants.
Writer: Amy Patterson Neubert, 765-494-9723, apatterson@purdue.edu
Source: Sonjia Shepherd, administrative assistant in the College of Consumer and Family Sciences, 765-494-8252, shepherds@purdue.edu