WHO WE ARE

 

 

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

Cassie Phillips, CSE Community Advocate
cassie@auroracommons.org

Charmayne Hanson, Community Engagement Lead
charmayne@auroracommons.org

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

Con Feinberg, Volunteer & In-Kind Donations Coordinator
con@auroracommons.org

Elizabeth Dahl Helendi, Executive Director
elizabeth@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

Michael Quinn, Advocacy Manager
michael@auroracommons.org

Pedro Andrade, Community Advocate
pedro@auroracommons.org

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

Sara Ewalt, Operations Manager
sara@auroracommons.org

Board of Directors

Laurie Olson, Board Chair
Laurie has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Housing Authority of Snohomish County (HASCO) since 2024. Laurie is responsible for overseeing organizational strategy, operational performance, stakeholder partnerships, community impact and engagement, and addressing housing challenges in Snohomish County. Bringing nearly 30 years of experience to the CEO role, Laurie served as the Director of Capital Investments for the City of Seattle where she leveraged $2 billion in assets, while she oversaw the development of over 4,000 housing units, collaborated with the Seattle Housing Authority to strategically allocate and direct hundreds of vouchers throughout the city, and successfully acquired more than 1,000 market-rate units within three years. Laurie has also been an active committee member of the ULI Affordable and Workforce Housing Product Council and has advocated for housing issues on various boards and advisory committees, including Aurora Commons. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Seattle Pacific University.

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.

Brian Wyse, Director
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.

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.

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.

Mark Petterson, Director
Bio coming soon.

Organizational Support Network