Realizing that a new century requires new paths to success in serving unmet social needs, The Aurora Foundation was created in the year 2000 as an initiative of the United Way of Essex and West Hudson.

The Aurora Foundation is highly focused on meeting the needs of individual families in the greater Newark region.

Aurora's approach, based on the belief that the entire needs of the family must be addressed in order to promote healthy development, connects children and families to the various resources and support they need to be successful.

Recognizing that education is a catalyst for family stability, The Aurora Foundation focuses on increasing a child's capacity for academic success by addressing not only their needs, but that of their family unit as well. The Foundation's first initiative, SOAR, puts this focus into action.

The Aurora Foundation has embarked on an innovative, community-based initiative that targets the needs of middle school aged children and their families and helps to provide solutions.