Aurora wishes you and everyone important to you
a very happy holiday season!
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"People generally see what they look for,
and hear what they listen for."
- To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee
This month’s quote comes with a challenge to each of us. We tend to surround ourselves with people who think, believe, even look like us. It’s a pretty normal human tendency, but makes it difficult for us to consider alternate ideas and opinions and create healthy relationships with others. Engage someone with a different perspective than you in conversation this month, listening for and learning about the differences. If we can see and hear that which is different than we are looking for, we can make our workplaces better and positively influence those around us!
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Our featured Value Word of the month is:
Loyal —Faithful to one's oath, commitments, or obligations.
Aurora appreciates the loyalty you bring to work every day!
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This month’s featured owner of Aurora is April Solberg.
In 2016 during a job search, April heard from a friend at Aurora about a job opening in the marketing department. Coming from a background of writing, editing, and creating for a wide audience, it felt like a great match! She interviewed and accepted a position as Marketing & Creative Assistant. Her very first day was at the old Eau Claire office, packing up everything belonging to Marketing (which turned out to be a TON of stuff), and her second day was spent organizing and putting all those things away in their new office in Chippewa Falls.
Over the past 6 years, she has maintained social media for Aurora and REALiving, posted jobs online and in newspapers and radio, and went from proofreading articles to writing them to being the full editor of the REALiving Magazine. She attends conferences as an exhibitor for REALiving, spent a couple of years acting as an ACC admin, and took over assembling The Loop into the newsletter you see today. In June 2022, she earned the title of Marketing & Creative Director. April enjoys working across all of Aurora’s companies to help with whatever marketing needs they may have—whether that’s creating business cards or job fair boards, creating marketing campaigns to get the attention of potential EAP clients, or participating in meetings to brainstorm the next great idea for Aurora’s future.
While she enjoys many facets of her job, April says her favorite thing about working for Aurora is the many friendships she has developed with coworkers over the years.
April is financially responsible for 2 cats and an 18-year-old niece, but she can’t in good conscience say she’s in charge of any of them. She loves coloring, watching Netflix, doing tarot readings for friends, going shopping, making Spotify playlists, and making her friends and coworkers laugh.
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Featured Team
— Michelle Corbin —
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This month, we feature the new Chippewa Falls office.
The past couple of months have ushered in some exciting changes for the Chippewa Falls ACC and AVS teams. Due to the rapid growth of both teams, a move was necessary, and at the end of October it was completed.
The new building is warm and inviting and features three offices for the AVS staff as well as three offices for the ACC staff. There is also a beautiful new community room available for meetings and other gatherings. The consumers and clients who have visited thus far have had rave reviews.
With this change came the addition of an Administrative Specialist position dedicated to making sure all the office needs are met for both the ACC and AVS teams. When you get the chance to visit Chippewa Falls, make sure to stop in and check out our new home and say hello to the entire team. Michelle will proudly give you the grand tour and be sure to welcome you with a smile!
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We continue to offer a sign-on bonus for new hires and a referral bonus for employees of $1,000!
How can you spread the word? LIKE us on Facebook! Share our posts!
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Our BEST Employees for the month of October are ... Brian Wojtalewicz from direct support and MaryAnne Erickson from management! Congratulations!
Nominees for the month of November were:
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Linda Aton
Daniel Azarshin
Terri Bollinger
Rhonda Bungartz
Noah Faught
Jana Hansen
Jeremy Nevin
Angela Raatz
Sam Scarpaci
Orlando Simon
Brian St Arnauld
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!
Once nominated, employees will remain eligible for the bonus drawing throughout the year.
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The holidays can be an exceptional time of year—or not. The difference lies with us. Avoid these 20 traps to have an outstanding finish to 2022!
The Holidays: 20 Things NOT To Do
- Argue about with which family the holidays will be spent.
- Seek perfection in decorations, gift selection, and people.
- Take every comment personally.
- Possess a “my way or the highway” attitude.
- Nag the teen son about getting a haircut.
- Say yes to everything and no to nothing.
- Talk about self while asking little about others.
- Use plastic money to spend too much.
- Fail to recognize, compliment, and appreciate others.
- Focus on your cell phone instead of the people who are present.
- Put kids in charge. (Children want/need the parent to be “the boss.”)
- Strive to win the “Cleanest House on the Block” award.
- Give unsolicited input to others on how to live their lives.
- Show arrogance, not humility—the magnet that draws people to us.
- Use the 7 Sinful Words: “We’ve never done it that way before!”
- Blame those around us for our mood.
- Tell someone they eat too much—or too little.
- Engage in grudge-holding instead of, “Hey, let’s forget it.”
- Criticize the in-laws, or anyone—but especially the in-laws!
- Get hurt and angry over, um … nothing.
Which one/ones on our list do you commit to not doing?
Do not ask these questions:
“Why is this happening to me?”
“When will he change?”
“Why don’t others ever listen?”
“Who made the mess?”
“When will things go my way?”
Those questions bring victim thinking, procrastination, and blame into our lives. Trust me—these human traps will spoil any holiday celebration, making it for sure not outstanding!
Do ask these questions:
“How can I contribute?”
“What can I do to honor others?”
“How can I find the good in people around me?”
“What can I do to let go of what I can’t control?”
“How can I change myself today?”
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The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1948, was the first legal document to set out the fundamental human rights to be universally protected.
Human rights are rights we have simply because we exist as human beings—they are not granted by any state. These universal rights are inherent to us all, regardless of nationality, sex, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, language, or any other status. They range from the most fundamental—the right to life—to those that make life worth living, such as the rights to food, education, work, health, and liberty. Your role as an Aurora team member is one of the most intimate and direct exercises of advocacy for those rights on behalf of those we serve. We also uphold the rights of each of our team members. We invite you to take the pledge to #Standup4humanrights:
- I will respect your rights regardless of who you are. I will uphold your rights even when I disagree with you.
- When anyone’s human rights are denied, everyone's rights are undermined, so I will STAND UP.
- I will raise my voice. I will take action. I will use my rights to stand up for your rights.
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It’s cold and flu season!
Flu and RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) are extremely prevalent right now. We want you, your families, and those you support to be well! Healthline.com has a great article that you can read HERE with all the explanations behind their tips for cold and flu prevention.
To sum up, follow these tips to do your BEST to stay health this season!
- Eat green vegetables.
- Get Vitamin D.
- Keep moving and follow a regular exercise routine.
- Get enough sleep.
- Skip the alcohol.
- Calm down, manage your stress.
- Drink green tea.
- Add color to meals. (Like those green veggies! But cook with all the colors of the rainbow for a wide range of vitamins.)
- Get a flu vaccine.
- Practice good hygiene. (Showering, washing hands before eating or preparing food or when performing any activity that brings you in contact with your eyes or mouth, cover mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, etc.)
- Keep it personal. Don’t share items.
Staying healthy is more than just practicing a few good techniques when you don’t feel well. It involves regular exercise, healthy foods, and staying hydrated throughout the day.
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Congratulations to Jazmine Daniels from 082 in Spooner and Michelle Baljo from 057 in Stevens Point!
These team members have demonstrated their commitment to safety and have won a $100 bonus for having done so.
Keep working safely to be entered in next month's drawing.
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But your body is giving off heat all the time. When the air is still, the heat from your body sort of hangs out close to your skin, insulating it from outside temperatures. Not a lot, but some. When the wind blows, particularly a cold wind, it whisks away that insulating layer of heat next to your skin, exposing it to frigid temps and speeding up the frost bite process.
To prevent frostbite:
- Limit the time you spend out in the cold.
- Stay hydrated.
- Get plenty of rest and sleep.
- Wear loose layers of thick, warm fabrics that keep you dry and cover as much of your body as possible.
- Wear mittens rather than gloves. Mittens provide better heat retention for hands and fingers.
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The Safety Snapshot is a look at what has led to employee injuries, YTD, through the month of November. Please be safe, be aware of what most frequently causes injuries in our work sites, and report any safety concerns you have! |
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Welcome Aboard!
Please give our new hires a warm welcome!
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San Juana Garcia
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Program Assistant, Wausau Day Center
Why I applied for the job: I've worked on my own time schedule, with lots of flexibility; however, at this time I felt the need to work on a more structured, organized schedule.
What I will bring to the job: I will bring the "best me" daily. Serve and learn.
My background: I've been an in-home health care provider. I've worked in landscape, greenhouse-type work.
Family: Mom. 6 children—3 adults, 3 young adults, 1 granddaughter.
Hobbies/interests: Thrifting, art, museums, reading, outdoors.
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Joanne Jones
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Community Living Assistant, Eau Claire
Why I applied for the job: To work with people.
What I will bring to the job: Organization.
Family: Married.
Hobbies/interests: Scrapbooking.
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Amanda Freid
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Community Living Assistant, Eau Claire
What I will bring to the job: Knowledge.
Hobbies/interests: Knitting, canted cross-stitch, family.
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Amber Theilman
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Community Living Assistant, Weston
Why I applied for the job: I heard good things about the company through a friend.
What I will bring to the job: Good attitude, teamwork, respect, positive energy.
My background: Been caregiving in behavioral health for 7+ years.
Family: I have 2 sisters, 1 brother. I am the oldest. 2 American Eskimo dogs, Khloe and Klover.
Hobbies/interests: Painting, movies, socializing, food.
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Chertisha "Tisha" Camacho
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Community Living Assistant, Wausau
Why I applied for the job: I love helping others and making people's lives a little easier. I enjoy making people laugh and smile, all while focusing on others' quality of life.
What I will bring to the job: Lots of smiles! Creativity and fun!
My background: I've worked with many different people! I have been running a professional cleaning business for over a year and have had great feedback!
Family: I have a huge family, with an army of cousins, uncles, and siblings from 12 years old to 30+! I have an amazing, wonderful 3-year-old son and an awesome fiance!
Hobbies/interests: I enjoy puzzles, arts and crafts, going to King Buffet, listening to music, and most of all, spending time with my loved ones!
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Siah Berthiaume
Aurora Vocational Services
Employment Support Coordinator, Eau Claire
Why I applied for the job: I wanted to do something meaningful while also helping the community.
What I will bring to the job: Passion, diligence, lively energy, and wanting to help others be their best selves.
My background: Mostly animal-based work or bartending.
Family: Father, Paul; mother, Whitney; brother, Ben; brother, Caleb; sister, Abby; sister, Olivia.
Hobbies/interests: Interests include but are not limited to: fishing, heavy metal music, swimming, and animals.
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Sherry Hagen
Aurora Vocational Services
Employment Specialist, Menomonie
Why I applied for the job: I like helping people reach their goals.
What I will bring to the job: Observation, flexibility, compassion, and concern.
My background: I have worked with people most of my career time. I have taught art, done cave tours, and worked with ages infant to elderly.
Family: Husband, married over 46 years. 28-year-old son and his lady of over 7 years. Our 18-year-old deaf cat.
Hobbies/interests: Art, teaching art, gardening. I have an art show at The Raw Deal in January, art for sale at Collective Souls, and teach art classes there.
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Kassidy Earhart
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Community Living Assistant, La Crosse
Why I applied for the job: I love helping others.
What I will bring to the job: Dedication and lots of energy.
My background: I like watching Netflix, Star Wars, and building Legos.
Hobbies/interests: Hiking and fishing.
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Devin Lehman
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Community Living Assistant, Plover
Why I applied for the job: To further my experience in home health.
What I will bring to the job: Positive attitude with great smiles.
My background: Caregiving for 12 years (2 years volunteer).
Family: 3 dogs, 2 cats, 3 sisters, 1 niece, 1 nephew.
Hobbies/interests: Spending time with loved ones, working, fishing!
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Nichole Griffin
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Community Living Assistant, Wausau
Why I applied for the job: I love being a caregiver and was looking for a different scene.
What I will bring to the job: I bring joy, happiness, compassion, honesty, integrity.
My background: I have been a caregiver for 9 years. I love kids. I love to cook and decorate. I love the holidays.
Family: I have 5 daughters, 3 sisters, 1 brother.
Hobbies/interests: I like to do arts and crafts with my daughters. I love family outings.
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Monique Luedtke
Aurora Vocational Services
Vocational Coordinator, Eau Claire and Chippewa
Why I applied for the job: I read the job description and I got really excited about the job. I also loved the idea of serving people in my community!
What I will bring to the job: The desire to provide person-centered care to assist individuals in meeting their goals.
My background: I obtained a BS in Psychology at UW-Stout. I have experience working with a wide variety of people through several human services positions in the Eau Claire and Chippewa area..
Family: Married, 3 kids, all girls—5, 5, and 9.
Hobbies/interests: Bouldering/climbing, swimming in summer, snowboarding, snowshoeing, sledding in winter, spending time with family and friends.
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Anthony Pace
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Community Living Assistant, Baldwin
Hobbies/interests: Computer/video games, my dog Terra.
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We Have the BEST Staff
During the month of November, we are celebrating these anniversaries!
Aurora Management
Nikki Coss (20 years), Ann Stevens (19 years), Don Andresen (30 years), Samantha King (6 years), LuAnn Esko (5 years), Marisa Lammer (10 years), Erik Olson (6 years), Anna Bobb (1 year), and Candace Kapperman-Wolf (20 years).
Aurora Direct Care Staff
Austin Walls (5 years), Zoe Kane (8 years), Naomi Fogelberg (4 years), Brooke Oelke (1 year), Katrinia Rivard (3 years), Janet Baker (4 years), Sherri Pierce (26 years), Joel Bosse (14 years), Deborah Gentz (8 years), Robert Neary (1 year), Demetrius Banks (4 years), Mirayra Rau (3 years), Heather Hooks (4 years), Pamela Hurst (1 year), Rylie Schulz (1 year), and Jodi Schlosser (1 year).
That's a combined total of 205 YEARS of experience at Aurora!
Thank you for sharing your time and talents with us!
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