Our Story

In 2008, Awake Church formed to be an intentional community in an area along a state highway that had been transformed into a neighborhood. With an emphasis on creating meaningful friendships that were marked by the giving and receiving of love and care, and that were reciprocal in nature, this community spent time getting to know their neighbors; long-term and transient neighbors, business owners and struggling addicts, families a few blocks off Aurora and singles working along Aurora. They hosted a community bbq and garden inviting these neighbors to share life, food, and resources, and collectively birthed a dream called Aurora Commons.

In 2011 Aurora Commons opened its doors with three main values:

• All people should be welcome somewhere & have access to beauty and safe space,

• Kitchen access and healthy food were essential basic needs,

• Building relationship and the giving of our authentic attention must remain the heartbeat at our center and woven through everything that we offer and build.

Today, Aurora Commons operates much like a day shelter offering clothing, hygiene, laundry, restrooms, to name a few, but we like to call it a neighborhood living room where love and human connection is at the widest part of the Commons hierarchy of needs. We believe that the most effective way to confront the disparity in our neighborhood is by cultivating community and a corresponding network of care. Only then will our neighbors and neighborhood truly flourish.

Contact

Commons Address: 8914 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103
Mailing Address: 302A N 78th St, Seattle, WA 98103

Commons Phone: 206-299-2278
Admin Offices: 206-745-2089

Email: info@auroracommons.org

Aurora Commons Team

Audrey Dankwah, CSE Community Advocate
dankwah@auroracommons.org

Bert Clapsaddle, Facilities Support
bert@auroracommons.org

Charmayne Hanson, Community Engagement Lead
charmayne@auroracommons.org

Christina Smith, Development & Communications Manager
christina@auroracommons.org

Daniel Cockson, Men’s Night Facilitator
danielcockson@auroracommons.org

Elizabeth Dahl Helendi, Executive Director
elizabeth@auroracommons.org

Fleetwood DeVore, Community Advocate
fleetwood@auroracommons.org

Jessica Liebenberg, Drop-in Services Coordinator
jessica@auroracommons.org

Katie Ross, Community Engagement Lead
katieross@auroracommons.org

Kendall Marsh, Community Engagement Specialist
kendall@auroracommons.org

Lety Rodriguez Ortiz, Resource Navigator
lety@auroracommons.org

Lorie Ann Larson, Director of Program Operations
lorieann@auroracommons.org

Luke Sumner, Director of Programs
luke@auroracommons.org

Madeleine Canlis, Community Advocate
madeleine@auroracommons.org

Mary Schmitz, Lead CSE Community Advocate
mary@auroracommons.org

Quinton Horton, Community Engagement Specialist & Meal Team Facilitator
quinton@auroracommons.org

Sara Ewalt, Operations Manager
sara@auroracommons.org

Sydney Diggs, Lead Community Advocate
sydney@auroracommons.org

Thomas Lewis, Volunteer & In-Kind Donations Coordinator
thomas@auroracommons.org

Board of Directors

Brian Wyse, Board Chair
Brian works in accounting for a Seattle-based bank supporting their capital markets activities. A Certified Public Accountant, his background includes technical accounting, FP&A, and various accounting roles. Brian has additional experience leading other not-for-profit organizations as well as supporting their accounting and budgeting activities. As a Seattle native, he is a proud Sounders fan and loves being outside with his family. They currently call the Greenwood neighborhood home and are grateful to be supporting the local community.

Jamie Clausen, Secretary
Jamie is a founding partner of Phinney Estate Law, providing values-based estate planning for families in the Seattle area. Prior to founding Phinney Estate Law, Jamie worked as a litigation associate at Cozen O'Connor, an attorney advisor for the US Department of Justice, and legal intern for Northwest Immigration Rights Project and Northwest Justice Projects. Jamie and her family live in the Phinney/Greenwood neighborhood and have been active in supporting both the Aurora Commons and the Phinney Neighborhood Association.

Mary Riski, Treasurer
Mary has worked in the financial services and mortgage banking industries for many years.  Her experience in non-profit board membership includes past Treasurer of Real Change, Seattle's street newspaper.  She moved to Greenwood in 2015 and began volunteering at Aurora Commons shortly after.  Mary served "Breakfast for Dinner" on Wednesday Night Women’s Drop-In for many years.  She cherishes the friendships made with the ladies who would stop in for French toast and bacon and to visit.

Dan Wise, Director
Dan is the Director of Homeless Services for Catholic Community Services and brings non-profit leadership and operations experience to the board. Dan became involved with the Aurora Commons while working to develop affordable housing in North Seattle. Dan resides in Seattle's Greenwood neighborhood with her wife and son.

Liza Skelton, Director
Liza works with a healthcare start-up in Seattle with a key focus on healthcare equity. She is a nurse by background and first learned of Aurora Commons while working with our neighbors as a leader in the UWMC Emergency Departments. Liza joined the Commons Board in Summer 2021 and has worked in and around Aurora for the last 20 years. She feels honored to work with the Aurora Commons in growing the mission to create safe spaces and bring vital resources to our neighbors on and around Aurora.

Carole Antoncich, Director
Carole enjoyed a long career in human services, including various positions with international relief and development organizations, local government, and local non-profits. She was the Social Services Director at Plymouth Housing for seven years before her retirement, an experience that deepened her understanding of the issues facing people experiencing homelessness and poverty. She became involved with Aurora Commons as a volunteer and developed a deep respect for their mission. Carole has two grown children and lives in Greenwood with her husband and their two dogs.

Laurie Olson, Director
Laurie serves as the Director of Capital Investments at the City of Seattle’s Office of Housing.  Her responsibilities include oversight of the Capital Investments Team, administering the permanent funding and bridge loans in excess of $200 million annually. Laurie also coordinates policy, finance, and funding decision issues with other funders, including public agencies, private lenders, and intermediary organizations.  Recently she has piloted the scaling of permanent supportive housing for homeless individuals and launched the Rapid Acquisition program, purchasing nine new construction buildings meant for the open market.

Christin Gordanier, Director
Christin Gordanier is the Associate Chief Nursing Officer for University of Washington Medical Center. She is the onsite executive of the Northwest Campus, located just blocks away from the Aurora Commons. Christin has a passion for healthcare justice and strives to support a culture of deep connection and caring to the neighbors we serve in our community. Christin lives with her husband and two sons in Seattle’s Crown Hill neighborhood.

Program Partners

BALLARD FOOD BANK
BETHANY COMMUNITY CHURCH
THE BEYOND PROJECT
FRED HUTCH HIV VACCINE TRIALS UNIT
HEPATITIS EDUCATION PROJECT
JOHN PERKINS CENTER AT SPU
UW HARBORVIEW MEDICAL CENTER

Organizational Support Network