Welcome to Original Aurora Renewal (OAR) 9898 E. Colfax Ave. Second Floor Aurora CO, 80010 (303) 739-7929 renewal@auroragov.org

Original Aurora Renewal (OAR) is a city program within the Neighborhood Services Department. OAR is located on the 2nd floor of the MLK Jr. Library.OAR serves as a neighborhood resource center that engages and empowers residents to improve the quality of life in Original Aurora and make it a safe and enjoyable place to live, work and play. OAR serves an area of Aurora referred to as Original Aurora (OA). This area is bordered by Yosemite Street on the west, I-225 on the east, 6th Avenue on the south and East 25th Avenue on the north. Map of Original Aurora.

What’s new in OAR:

Found Art:
Create community art and better the environment.
Reuse—Reduce–Repurpose—Recycle
Welcome to Original Aurora Renewal’s 2010 community art project called The Collection. Led by Colorado artist Phil Bender and directed by Original Aurora Renewal’s Peg Alt, The Collection invites community members to create art from found items. You and your creative team will transform ordinary objects (bottle caps, CD’s, computer parts, and you name it!) into either a 3-D sculpture or 2-D art mounted a board. Other teams will do the same. Eventually, all works of art will be put on display and auctioned at a community art fundraiser and gala event in 2011. For more information contact Peg Alt at (303) 739-7930 or palt@auroragov.org.  (The Collection Flyer)
Art by Colorado Artist Phil Bender
Current Participating Teams:
Team City			Team Kauinsto		Team Anderson
Our Partners:
Studio space provided my Medici Construction. Additional support from the city of Aurora’s Art in Public Spaces and Planning Services Department.

- OAR’s Mission Statement - “Because resident involvement is fundamental for healthy communities, we work with residents and other stakeholders to build strong neighborhoods.”

Original Aurora Activities

	Special Events: Original Aurora Renewal has a variety of events that are family oriented.		Outreach The city’s resource center for Original Aurora.
	Community Art Projects OAR has participated in a number of community art projects.		Volunteer Opportunities An array of opportunities for individuals & groups to donate time & energy.
	OAR Newsletter Please see our newsletters in English or in Spanish.		Weed & Seed OAR has received nearly $1 million of funding from the DOJ/CCDO.
	OAR en Espanol La Renovación de Aurora Original es un programa de la ciudad.		Awards: Throughout the eleven years that OAR has been in existence we have received over 20 awards.

What We Offer the Entire Original Aurora Neighborhood:

Alleyway Lighting	A program that installs “no-cost” mid-block alley lights in OA to deter crime.
Beeler Street Garden	One-acre garden for individuals/groups to lease.
Resident/Business Bilingual Outreach	A program to inform, engage & empower stakeholders.
Coffee with Parents	An educational series on a variety of topics presented by OAR to schools.
Community Art	A program that engages residents in making art to enhance our neighborhood.
Community Clean-ups	A variety of events & activities that improve OA’s appearance.
Crime & Grime Meetings	Gatherings that empower residents to solve problems.
Educational Forums	A variety of forums including OAR’s bi-monthly Advisory Board meetings.
FallFest	An annual autumn festival of activities and fun for children, youth and families.
Festival International	A celebration of ethnic diversity & culture that fosters community.
Immigrant Integration	A project created to bridge cultural divides within our community
Information & Referral	A service that links residents with area resources to help meet their needs.
Job Linkages	An initiative to give OA residents better access to jobs in the neighborhood.
Joy Drive	A holiday gift-giving campaign of donated goods that are distributed to families in need.
Newsletter	A bi-lingual publication that familiarizes residents with OAR services & programs.
Tool Lending	Gardening/maintenance tools available for OA residents to borrow.
Volunteer Program	An array of opportunities for individuals & groups to donate time & energy.

Additional Services OAR Offers to Residents Living Within the W&S Area or Funds with W&S:

Code Enforcement Patrols	Patrols & sweeps aimed at upholding municipal codes.
Compass Programs	After-school programs that help youth build developmental assets.
Downtown Aurora Visual Arts (DAVA)	Arts education & prevention programming for W&S youth.
Gang Prevention Program	A four-pronged approach to deter youth from joining gangs.
Large Item Abatement	A service to remove illegally dumped items from the W&S site.
Mobile Playground	A recreational program on wheels that serves four designated W&S sites.
W&S Community Networker	A bi-lingual staff member that works within the W&S area.
Proactive Police Operations	Patrols & sweeps conducted by Narcotics, Ft. Patrol, PAR & GIU.
W&S Steering Committee	A 25-member committee that guides & oversees the W&S strategy.
Youth Leadership Program	Activities designed to give youth opportunities to lead & succeed.

What is Weed & Seed?
	OAR has applied for and received nearly $1 million of funding from the Department of Justice/Community Capacity Development Office to prevent, reduce and suppress crime while funding activities that that improve the quality of life for a 166-block area from Yosemite Street to I-225 from 13th to 17th avenues. This area is called the Colfax Corridor Weed & Seed (W&S) site.