Aurora House advisory committee reports program growth, audit results and needs; seeks community supports

The Aurora House advisory committee presented its annual report to Falls Church City Council on May 27, outlining program activity, staffing changes, audit results, and community needs.

The report: Mariam, chair of the Aurora House advisory committee, said the residential program — which serves females aged roughly 13 to 20 — had served 20 young women since January, and that bed occupancy was the largest seen since before the pandemic when two‑thirds of beds were full last September.

Why it matters: Committee members and councilors highlighted Aurora House’s role in providing short‑term residential services and community supports for young people, noting that successful audits and volunteer engagement strengthen the program’s capacity.

Key program and staffing notes: Mariam said Aurora House hired a new group home manager and promoted a residential supervisor; staff added a substance‑use component in collaboration with Fairfax County and stakeholders. The program reported two successful audits this past fall, including a three‑year Department of Juvenile Justice audit that produced a 100% result.

Funding, donations and scholarship activity: The committee reported three alumni scholarships awarded since January — including a vocational award — and that the family and estate of the late Christina Goodwin donated $15,000 with additional memorial gifts of about $1,700. The advisory committee manages an alumni scholarship fund through a 501(c)(3) nonprofit partner.

Facility and operational needs: The committee described ongoing facilities challenges, including replacement of kitchen appliances (a freezer arrived in January; an oven remained on order). The group requested items to support daily life and programming: small kitchen equipment (rice cooker, pressure cooker, cutting boards), two collapsible picnic tables, gardening supplies to support a new gardening curriculum, and help arranging low‑cost summer activities for residents.

Health and medical access: The committee asked for help identifying a medical provider who could meet on‑call or walk‑in needs for insured and uninsured youth for physicals, TB testing and medication forms, because transport to external providers is often difficult when girls are in residence.

Community engagement and volunteers: The committee said volunteers and local businesses have supported the program through activity trips, exercise classes and holiday baskets, and that staff were finalizing vetting of six new volunteers.

Council response and offers: Council members praised staff and volunteers, noted interest in volunteer partnerships with senior facilities and local businesses, and offered to follow up on possible medical contacts, community connections, and fundraising outreach (including Amazon wish list and quarterly donor updates).

Ending: Council thanked the advisory committee and staff for their work and asked staff to follow up on the items requested in the committee’s needs list.