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Aurora Value Words



• Resilient • Integrity • Courageous

• Compassion • Loyal • Passionate • Responsive

Together at last! Last month, company leadership gathered for the annual meeting, featuring motivational talks from Dave Barnard and inspiring messages from Gina Krueger and Jesseca Erb. We celebrated key anniversaries, and a heartfelt farewell video for Maria Block highlighted her significant impact as Day Center Program Director. Thanks to all who contributed to making the event memorable!

Congratulations to our Value Award Winners!

Resilient ••• Justin Boiteau, Behavior and Sensory Specialist

Integrity ••• Colette Spielman, HR Administrator

Courageous ••• Nichole Hartung, QA Specialist

Compassionate ••• Ian McCallister, Vocational Coordinator

Loyal ••• Orlando Simon, Maintenance

Passionate ••• Theresa McConville, IPS Regional Coordinator

Responsive ••• Juan Gordillo, Assistant IT Director

Chuck Barnard Memorial ••• Jackie Perro, Mental Health Therapist

Being Your BEST ••• Jenny Thomas, Recruitment Coordinator

Star Man ••• April Solberg, EAP Advisor

Executive Director of Community Services, Terri Bollinger provides oversight for our counseling and AODA department as well as employment, skill development, and day services programs. She was drawn to Aurora Community Services due to its reputation for innovative thinking and its commitment to breaking the mold. As a self-proclaimed "out-of-the-box thinker," Terri saw Aurora as the perfect place to nurture her creative approach and expand her horizons.

Starting her career at Aurora in 1998, Terri was tasked with launching vocational services, a challenge she says she eagerly embraced. Her supervisor, Avis Wolske Baker, shared her creative vision and encouraged her to explore new employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Over the years, Terri's role evolved, and she took on oversight responsibilities for REALiving and Aurora Community Counseling, even managing maintenance and residential services at one point.

Terri appreciates Aurora's innovative spirit, which places customers at the heart of service creation. She has learned that every problem has a solution, as long as one is willing to think differently. Her advice for others interested in this field is to "believe in your best" and always discuss potential solutions when challenges arise.

Balancing work and personal life can be challenging, but Terri emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries and maintaining open communication.

Thank you, Terri, for sharing your gentle pushes, your leadership and your vision!

The Importance of Beneficiary Forms in Estate Planning

Estate planning is a crucial process that ensures your assets are distributed according to your wishes after your death. One of the most vital components of this process is the beneficiary form. These forms designate individuals or entities to receive specific assets, such as 401k and ESOP accounts. Here’s why beneficiary forms are so important in estate planning.

1. Clarity in Asset Distribution

Beneficiary forms provide clear instructions on how your assets should be distributed. By designating beneficiaries, you reduce ambiguity and potential conflicts among heirs. This clarity can prevent disputes and ensure your wishes are honored.

2. Avoiding Probate

One of the primary advantages of having designated beneficiaries is that it often allows assets to bypass the probate process. Assets with named beneficiaries typically transfer directly to them upon your death, which can save time and costs associated with probate proceedings.

3. Control Over Asset Distribution

Beneficiary forms allow you to maintain control over who receives your assets. You can designate specific individuals as beneficiaries.

4. Flexibility

Life circumstances change—births, deaths, marriages, and divorces can all impact your estate planning. Beneficiary forms are relatively easy to update. Regularly reviewing and modifying these forms ensures they reflect your current intentions and family dynamics.

Incorporating beneficiary forms into your estate planning is essential for ensuring that your wishes are honored, minimizing conflicts, and providing for your loved ones efficiently. Regularly reviewing and updating these forms as your circumstances change is equally important. Consulting with an estate planning professional can help you navigate this process effectively, ensuring your legacy is preserved according to your desires. By taking the time to fill out beneficiary forms, you’re taking a significant step toward a well-organized and thoughtful estate plan.

It is easy to review your beneficiary form, or complete one if you need to, simply call Jessica, Aurora’s Benefit Specialist, at 715-233-1025. Jessica will provide you a copy of your current beneficiary form or one for you to complete if you do not have one on file.

Our BEST Employees for the month of December are Samantha King from Direct Support and Dawn Mashak from management!

Each winning employee will receive $150! Congratulations and thanks for bringing your BEST!

Names were drawn from the pool of nominees who spoke with us about their employment experience at Aurora. Thanks to each of our nominees for the above and beyond work you do to support our consumers and clients! You are the BEST!

Remember to send your nominations to BESTEmployees@AuroraServices.com.

Once nominated, employees will remain eligible for the bonus drawing throughout the year.

Safety Tip

Navigating Winter Roads Safely

Severe weather can be both frightening and dangerous for commuters. Winter storms, bad weather and sloppy road conditions are a factor in nearly half a million crashes and more than 2,000 road deaths every winter, according to research by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Drivers should know the safety rules for dealing with winter road emergencies.



Tips for Driving in the Snow

Stay home. Only go out if necessary. Even if you can drive well in bad weather, it’s better to avoid taking unnecessary risks by venturing out.

Drive slowly. Always adjust your speed down to account for lower traction when driving on snow or ice.

Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Apply the gas slowly to regain traction and avoid skids. Don’t try to get moving in a hurry and take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.

Increase your following distance to five to six seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.

Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.

Don’t stop if you can avoid it. There’s a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.

Don’t power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads will just make your wheels spin. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed downhill slowly.



Don’t stop going up a hill!

S.A.F.E. = Stop And Focus Entirely!!

Thank you for helping those we support with their New Beginnings! For those who are prone to resolutions, we wish you well with whatever New Beginnings you’re after. Here are some tips to help along the way:

Set goals: Start each day with goals that can be simple or complex. Write down your goals and break them into smaller, more manageable steps.

Create a routine: A daily routine can help you manage your time and ensure you have time for work and self-care.

Eliminate bad habits: Get rid of habits that take away from you.

Exercise: Exercise can help you become more positive and change the direction of your life.

Get enough sleep: Not getting enough sleep can impact your energy levels, mental health, and other aspects of your life. Try to stick to a consistent sleep schedule.

Meditate: Meditating can help you clear your head and be present, which can have a positive effect on your mood and happiness.

Practice self-reflection: Determine your life's purpose and practice self-reflection.

Cultivate relationships: Develop healthy relationships.

Learn and grow: Continuously learn and grow to stay adaptable and competitive.

Practice gratitude: Practice gratitude to achieve success.

Avoid comparing yourself to others: Avoid comparing yourself to others to unlock your full potential.

Reward yourself: When you achieve success, it can make you feel proud and motivated to do well.

Brian Nelson

Aurora Residential Alternatives

Community Living Specialist, Eau Claire

Why I applied for the job: I applied because I really enjoyed it the last time I had it.

What I will bring to the job: Previous knowledge.

Hobbies/interests: Coin collecting.

Jillian Stokes

Aurora Residential Alternatives

Community Living Assistant, River Falls

Why I applied for the job: I applied for this job because I want to help others and be impactful.

What I will bring to the job: Patience and empathy.

My background: Currently I'm an online student at the University of North Dakota in psychology and criminal justice.

Hobbies/interests: Spending time with family and friends, spending time outside, and I'm an animal lover.

Gwendolyn Jones Rizk

Aurora Vocational Services

Job Coach, Wausau and Stevens Point

Why I applied for the job: I love to work with and help people. I am passionate about giving everyone the resources they need to be their best self.

My background: My background is in non-profit work. Most recently directing a non-profit that helps connect new refugees to our community and resources.

Family: I am married and have 5 teenagers.

Hobbies/interests: I enjoy gardening, hiking, ocean and basically anything outside.

Zachary Miloch

Aurora Residential Alternatives

Community Living Assistant, Stevens Point

Why I applied for the job: I enjoy helping people.

What I will bring to the job: A positive attitude.

Family: I am an only child.

Hobbies/interests: Music, cooking, and hanging out with friends.

Shay Harmon

Aurora Residential Alternatives

Community Living Assistant, Stevens Point

Why I applied for the job: I enjoy being able to help others.

What I will bring to the job: A positive attitude

My background: I love doing anything dealing with people and being able to help in any way.

Family: I have 5 children.

Hobbies/interests: Working out, listening to music and online shopping.

Welcome to Aurora!

(left to right) Zach Miloch, Shadayva Harmon and Gwen Jones Rizk!

We Have the BEST Staff

During the month of December, we are celebrating these anniversaries!

Aurora Management

Avis Wolske-Baker (37 years), Paula Scheffler-Burkard (1 year),

Marni Waznik (31 years), Jora Leahy (4 years), Dan Ekblad (1 year, William Duerkop (5 years), Carlin Nelson (3 years), Linda Dalland (21 years), Kimberly Jensen (14 years), Jana Pickers (13 years), and Brianna Wyant (13 years).

Aurora Direct Care Staff

Isabella Wilson (1 year), Rebecca Belanger (1 year),

Laura Alley (15 years), Devin Nickens (1 year), Tiffany Kuklinski (5 years), Chelsi Julson (4 years), Noah Stickney (1 year), Patrick McClure (1 year), Rodney McNamara (9 years), Sharon Moss (28 years), Katherine Mozer (19 years), Jacob Lamb (1 year), Patrick Wright (1 year), Emily Lambert (5 years), Royal Anderson (1 year), and Kristen Dusek (14 years).

When we combine all of these years of service,

we get 250 YEARS of experience at Aurora!

Thank you for sharing your time, talents and wisdom with us!