This month, we're reflecting on the ways The Aura Foundation continues to show up in our community and looking ahead to new opportunities for connection, growth, and wellness. Here's a look at what we've been up to and what's coming next.
A Message from The Executive DirectorAs we step into September, I find myself reflecting on just how much has taken place over the past several months and how much there is still to look forward to.
This summer has been filled with growth, new partnerships, expanded programming, community connections, and meaningful opportunities to further the Aura Foundation’s mission of making wellness, resources, and opportunities accessible to the communities we serve.
September is another exciting month for us. We’re continuing to expand our community wellness programming, bringing our Heal the Healer initiative into new spaces, and kicked off the month with our InspiHER Aligned & Thriving Business Retreat, and are preparing for one of our biggest milestones yet: the official launch of the Aura Foundation on October 2. Only a few exhibitor tables remain and free registration to attend the expo is now available. What began as a vision is continuing to grow into a collaborative community effort made possible by our partners, sponsors, volunteers, supporters, and every individual who believes wellness should not be a luxury, but a necessity.
As we enter this next season, I am incredibly grateful for how far we have come and excited for what we are building together. Thank you for continuing to believe in our mission, show up for our community, and grow alongside us. Jen Mendoza Executive Director The Aura Foundation
Upcoming Foundation Events + ProgramsThe Aura Foundation Launch & Learn Community Expo: Sold Out! We're thrilled to announce that we've had an overwhelming response and the luncheon portion of our official Launch & Learn Expo is officially sold out! Reserve your exhibitor spot or free ticket to attend the expo portion of our Launch & Learn Expo today.
Thank you to everyone who registered and is joining us for this special celebration on October 2, 2026, from 10- 2 p.m. at the Prisco Community Center in Aurora. This inaugural event will connect with local businesses, nonprofit organizations, community leaders, and wellness advocates for an inspiring experience centered for connection, education, wellness and opportunity.
We are incredibly grateful for the community's enthusiasm and support as we officially launch The Aura Foundation and begin this exciting journey together. 
Join us on Friday, September 25, from 6:30–8:30 PM for a fall evening with InspiHER. The evening will include guided reflection, conversation, music, light refreshments, and a hands on Harvest Bouquet experience to take home. Come enjoy a meaningful night of connection and reflection.
Foundation News & AnnouncementsHealing | Growth | Leadership Winfield Township Community Mental Health 708 Board Recognition Ceremony The Winfield Township Community Mental Health 708 Board Recognition Ceremony celebrated a significant $999,039 investment in mental health resources for Winfield Township residents. The Aura Foundation was represented by Executive Director Jen Mendoza and Founder & Board President Sumera Galvez, who connected with fellow organizations working to strengthen mental health resources in the community.
The event brought together grant recipients and community organizations committed to making mental health support more accessible. This investment marks an exciting opportunity to bring the Foundation’s services and programming to Winfield Township and collaborate with local partners to support individuals and families.
We are grateful to the Winfield Township 708 Board and residents for investing in the wellbeing of their community and look forward to the impact we can make together. Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley Grantee Recognition Founder and Board President, Sumera Galvez represented The Aura Foundation at the 2026 Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley Grantee Recognition Ceremony, celebrating 42 local nonprofits receiving more than $564,000 in grant funding to support impactful work throughout the Fox River Valley. This recognition reflects the importance of investing in programs that strengthen individuals, families, and communities.
We are grateful to CFFRV for supporting The Aura Foundation's work and look forward to building on this support to continue to create greater opportunities for wellness and growth across the communities we serve. New Class Formats for Free Community Yoga Starting this September, our Wednesday yoga sessions will feature a variety of formats designed to offer something for different ages, abilities, and wellness needs.
1st Wednesday: Chair Yoga
2nd Wednesday: Kids Yoga
3rd Wednesday: Meditation & Mixed Format
4th Wednesday: Intermediate Hatha Yoga
The class format will vary each Wednesday, so be sure to check the monthly schedule to see which practice is being offered.
Free & Donation Based ProgrammingCommunity Connections CirclesWe’re excited to introduce our first Community Connection Circles in partnership with Graceful Therapy. This month’s circle will focus on navigating major life transitions and creating a supportive space for connection, reflection, and growth.
We invite you September 24th for this free, welcoming gathering open to all. Self-Care Sundays is our free monthly wellness program dedicated to making healing, self-care, and holistic wellness more accessible to our community. Through free wellness workshops and donation based healing sessions, participants can explore practices such as meditation, stress management, sound healing, Reiki, and other holistic wellness offerings.
Our Free Community Yoga takes place on Mondays and Tuesdays from 7:00-8:00 PM! All ages and experience levels are welcome. During the month of August, we hosted 9 free yoga sessions. Click here to check out a fun video our summer interns put together!
Chronic Illness Support CircleJoin us on Thursday, September 24, from 6:30–8:00 PM for a welcoming space to connect with others who understand the ups and downs of living with chronic or invisible health conditions.
This monthly circle is a chance to share, listen, learn, and find support in a community where you can come as you are. Whether you’re newly navigating a diagnosis or have been on this journey for years, you’re welcome to join us. InspiHER Global: The World at Our Table We are proud to share the success of our inaugural InspiHER GLOBAL: The World at Our Table, a sold out evening dedicated to celebrating culture, heritage, storytelling, and connection.
The event brought women together from diverse backgrounds to share their traditions, stories, businesses, food, art, and personal experiences. Ten incredible cultural exhibitors each offered a unique perspective, creating meaningful opportunities for attendees to learn from one another and celebrate the richness and diversity of our community.
We extend our sincere appreciation to our InspiHER GLOBAL Event Sponsor, AM Perfect Spa, for supporting us in bringing this experience to life. Thank you to everyone who participated, shared their stories, and joined us at the table. Your presence helped make our first InspiHER GLOBAL a meaningful and memorable experience. Watch recap video here.
Self-Care Sundays Nervous System Regulation with Dr. Yakima Palmer Our latest Self-Care Sundays Community Wellness Workshop, led by Dr. Yakima Palmer, provided a welcoming space for our community to slow down, reconnect, and recharge. With the workshop at full capacity, participants explored breathwork, meditation, sound, reflection, and meaningful conversation. Our next Self-Care Sunday, led by Stacey Valle, will take place on September 13 and will feature a free hour of mindfulness and meditation to teach participants how to bring more presence and peace into their everyday lives. Self-Care Sundays Community Healing Session On August 30, the Aura Foundation hosted a Community Healing Session, creating a peaceful space for rest, relaxation, and renewal. The session offered community members the opportunity to receive private, donation-based healing from trained volunteer practitioners in a calm and welcoming environment.
We are grateful to the volunteer practitioners and everyone who helped make this healing experience possible. Through events like these, we remain committed to creating accessible spaces that encourage healing, connection, and self-care. Self-Care Sundays Community Healing Sessions are held on the last Sunday of every month, and we hope to see you at our next session on September 27.
Celebrating Our Summer InternsAs summer comes to a close and our interns head back to school, we want to recognize and thank four incredible women who were an important part of the team this summer.
Maria Esparza supported communications and newsletter efforts, Isabelle Higdon contributed to community outreach, Perla Hernandez supported administrative and operational needs, and Leylani Monarrez helped through marketing and managing social media content for events. Each of them brought unique strengths, fresh perspectives, and enthusiasm to the team, and we are so grateful for everything they contributed this summer.
While they’re heading back to school, we’re excited that this isn’t goodbye! The ladies have decided to stay connected with us and continue to support the organization. We’re proud to have been part of their journey and look forward to seeing all they accomplish next. Thank you for an incredible summer, and we’re excited to continue having you as part of the team!
We’re grateful to partner with BRGO Talent & Advisory, led by Bridget Gotz, who came in as the Official Event Sponsor of our InspiHER Aligned & Thriving Retreat and most recently as the officail Expo Sponsor of our upcoming the Aura Foundation Launch & Learn Expo.
BRGO Talent provides talent strategy, executive advisory and coaching, M&A support, compensation and total rewards, and change management for executives, HR teams, and startups across healthcare, technology, and financial services. Bridget brings a people centered approach to helping leaders and organizations navigate growth, transition, and change.
We’re excited to have Bridget and BRGO Talent as part of the Aura Foundation community and appreciate their support of our work.
To learn more visit: www.brgotalent.com
Community Events & EngagementHalal Fest’s VIP Reception at the Kane County Fairgrounds brought together elected officials, international dignitaries, and community leaders from across the region and beyond. Hosted by Illinois Muslim Chamber of Commerce President Shafeek Abubaker and his team, the evening was a meaningful opportunity to connect with leaders from diverse communities and celebrate culture, connection, and collaboration. We look forward to building upon these new connections and exploring opportunities to support community wellness together. IHCC Anuual Business Conference & ExpoOn August 27, the Aura Foundation had the opportunity to attend the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (IHCC) Annual Business Conference & Expo at Navy Pier. The event brought together business and community leaders from across the region, providing a valuable opportunity to connect, exchange insights, and build meaningful relationships with professionals and organizations in the community. Thank you IHCC for creating an inspiring space focused on connection, collaboration, and growth. We look forward to continuing to build relationships and strengthen our impact throughout the community. Connecting with the Rotary Club of Aurora UnitedThe Aura Foundation had the opportunity to join the Rotary Club of Aurora United for a meeting and share more about our work in the community. Our Founder and Board Chair, Sumera Galvez, spoke with members about The Aura Foundation’s mission and the importance of healing, growth, and leadership in creating stronger, healthier communities.
We’re grateful to the Rotary Club of Aurora United for welcoming us and for the opportunity to connect, share our vision, and build relationships with fellow community leaders. National Nonprofit Day: Growing TogetherOn August 17, The Aura Foundation joined nonprofits and community organizations across the country in recognizing National Nonprofit Day.
As a new nonprofit in our first year, we reflected on how grateful we are for the support we’ve received from our community, partners, sponsors, and funders. Their support has helped us continue building our mission and creating meaningful opportunities to serve our community. We also took the opportunity to recognize our fellow nonprofit and community partners who work tirelessly to make a difference every day.
Thank you to everyone who has supported The Aura Foundation throughout our first year. We’re grateful to have you alongside us as we continue to grow, collaborate, and serve.
If you are interested in hosting a workshop, volunteering as a practitioner, sponsoring a session, or donating to support this community program, please reach out to us at hello@theaurafoundation.org.
There are many ways to support the Aura Foundation's mission:
Donate Every contribution helps us continue serving our community.
Volunteer Share your time and talents with those who need it most.
Attend Events Participate in upcoming programs and fundraisers.
Become a Sponsor Partner with us to create meaningful community impact.
Spread the Word Follow, share, and engage with us on social media.
Aura Foundation 1242 North Eola Road, Aurora, Illinois |
