Having trouble viewing The Loop? Click here to view as a webpage.

Aurora Value Words

• Resilient • Integrity • Courageous

• Compassion • Loyal • Passionate • Responsive

December

“When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.”

— Maya Angelou

A Gentle Guide to Holiday Emotions

The holidays can stir up every emotion in the book. Some moments feel cozy and joyful, and others bring stress, pressure, or old memories you didn’t exactly invite. The best thing you can do is slow down and focus on what truly matters to you.

Appreciating the good stuff:

Make space for the things that actually make you happy. Maybe it’s reconnecting with family and friends, laughing over something silly, or just being in the same room together. Traditions can bring a comforting sense of belonging, whether you decorate, cook your favorite dishes, or tell the same stories every year. Giving to others, whether it’s a gift, your time, or simply showing up for someone, can create its own kind of joy too.

Accepting the not-so-fun moments:

Even during a cheerful season, tougher feelings can pop up. Family dynamics, old tensions, or personal stresses often show up louder than expected. Being honest about these situations ahead of time can help you stay grounded. High expectations can make the season feel heavier, so it helps to set realistic goals for yourself and others. If certain conversations or emotions resurface, adjusting plans or asking for support can make the season more manageable.

Taking care of your mental health:

It’s completely normal to feel a mix of emotions this time of year. No holiday is perfect, and that’s more than okay. Talk about what you need. Set limits. Let go of the pressure to make everything flawless.

Planning ahead also makes a difference. Break things into small steps, take quick breathers when you need them, and share responsibilities instead of trying to do it all. If a conversation starts drifting into uncomfortable territory, it’s fine to redirect or change the subject. You don’t have to participate in every discussion, and chances are others are navigating their own stress too.

Lean into your support system. Reach out to your go-to people when you need a reset or a little encouragement. And if things feel heavier than usual, talking to a professional can help. Keep the basics in mind as well. Move your body, rest when you can, breathe deeply, drink water, and be mindful of how food and alcohol affect your mood. Small habits go a long way.

REALiving is here if you need support.

Call 877.256.9302 anytime.

The Big Joy Challenge

And since we’re already talking about staying sane during the holidays, it’s the perfect time to jump into our Big Joy Challenge. Winter can feel a little… dramatic. So we’re fighting back with tiny, intentional moments of joy. Research even says five to ten minutes of joy a day can lower stress and boost connection in as little as a week. Honestly, that’s cheaper than retail therapy and requires zero peppermint mochas.

And don’t worry, this isn’t a “run a marathon” or “reorganize your entire house” kind of challenge. Think small. Play your favorite song. Pet a cute animal. Take a minute of silence where nobody can find you. Text someone something sweet. These tiny bursts of joy add up fast.

If you want to join in, just snap a photo of your joyful moment and send it to LifeofAurora@AuroraServices.com. Submissions are open until 1/31/2026. We will be sharing these on social media all December long!

Download Big Joy Flyer Here!

International Sharps Injury Prevention Awareness Month

December is International Sharps Injury Prevention Awareness Month. Who knew we had a whole month dedicated to this? Believe it or not, yes, it's really a thing!

We actually reminded everyone about sharps safety last month, so consider this your friendly sequel. Hopefully you read those tips very carefully (pun fully intended).

This year, Aurora has already had five needlestick injuries. While a quick poke from a needle or lancet might seem harmless in the moment, it can actually transmit bloodborne pathogens, and those can lead to serious illness. A small slip can have big consequences.

So, here’s the bottom line:

Please use caution, follow all procedures, and handle sharps exactly as instructed. Safe disposal and proper technique aren’t optional. They’re essential for protecting you, your coworkers, and the people we support.

If you’re ever unsure, have questions, or want a refresher, reach out to your supervisor or the HR team. We’re always here to help keep everyone safe.

Stay sharp, stay safe!

Owner's Corner

Featuring Hannah Sarauer, Mental Health Counselor

Hannah first joined Aurora in 2022 while she was just starting her graduate program and looking for a job that really meant something to her. She found Aurora on Indeed and applied for an admin position in Ladysmith. Her interview with Linda Aton was at the 29 Pines truck stop, and she laughs about how they ended up talking for an hour, even after the interviewed had finished.

As she finished school, she jumped into internal QA work for CCS. This year has been a big one, she earned her LPC, joined the Owner’s Team, and stepped into new roles that feel both challenging and exciting. Over the past year, she’s also been learning side-by-side with Hayley and getting to know Terri in a whole new way. She says it’s been really cool seeing someone in a similar stage of their counseling journey. “It’s a reminder that everyone at Aurora is growing in their own way.” Hannah also enjoys the fun moments with REALiving, going to school events and building community connections.

What fills her cup the most is giving back to her community, especially Ladysmith. She says her heart has always been in rural areas, and loves that Aurora gives her the flexibility to work where she feels most rooted. Getting to shape her schedule, meet new people, and honor the ones who shaped her when she was young is a big part of why she cares so deeply about making a real impact in rural communities.

One memory that still makes her smile is that first interview with Linda. They wrapped up the “official” part, but the conversation just kept going. Linda made her feel so welcomed and supported even ending with, “I feel like I need to hug you,” which made them both laugh. Hannah says it was little things like that that made feel like she was choosing the right place.

Outside of work, she loves spending time with Sonni, her first horse, who’s now 24. She got Sonni when she was 16, and she is the reason she fell in love with equestrian therapy, therapy animals, and everything that eventually led her into counseling. She and her husband now have a hobby farm that keeps life busy, grounded, and full.

Thank you, Hannah, for being warm, genuine, and community-minded. You bring your whole heart to Aurora.

Best Employees

Our BEST Employees for the month of November are Noah Faught from Direct Support and Ian Rajek from management!

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

Nominees from October 21st – November 20th:

Meajah "Mimi" Adams

Becky Belanger

Deena Black

Jonathan Bosse

Jessica Checkalski

Andrea Dohanick

Noah Faught

Mikki Freeman

Aubrey Fricke

Patrick Hager

Kelly Johnson

Brooke Knutson

Amanda Lunde

Shannon Puzio

Olivia Stevens

Safety Tip

Winter Is Back… and She Brought Her Slip-n-Slide Energy With Her.

Whether we like it or not, winter has officially clocked in for the season. That means fluffy snow, icy mornings, and the occasional moment where we all suddenly remember what “walking carefully” actually means. To help keep everyone upright, warm, and injury-free, we’re rolling out one big theme this year:

Carry a salt/sand shaker... everywhere. Yes… everywhere.

Think of it as your trusty winter sidekick, your portable traction wizard, or your tiny guardian in a plastic bottle.

How it works:

If you're ever not sure whether the sidewalk, step, ramp, or parking lot is slippery, just sprinkle a little salt/sand in front of you as you walk. A couple of shakes can be the difference between “I’m good” and “I almost did the splits in front of everyone.”

The Sneaky Villain of Winter: Black Ice

Black ice is basically nature’s prankster, it's smooth, shiny, invisible, and always waiting in the least convenient spots.

It forms when:

The day warms up (yay!)
The night cools back down (less yay)
The melted snow re-freezes into a glassy sheet of “SURPRISE!”

You’ll usually find black ice:

Under gutters
On walkways that don’t get sun
In parking lots
At the bottom of ramps
Pretty much anywhere water drips, trickles, or likes to hang out

If you’re thinking, “Hmm… I don’t trust this sidewalk,” that’s your sign to shake, shake, shake.

More Winter Walking Wisdom

A few classics worth repeating:

Walk like a penguin. Short, shuffling steps. Wide stance. Zero shame.
Eyes up, phone down. This is not the season for texting while walking.
Stick to treated paths. Shortcuts are where ice waits to ruin your day.
Wear real winter shoes. Your fashion boots are cute… and dangerous.
Wipe your feet before going inside so floors stay dry.
Report icy areas so we can treat them quickly.
Step down—not out—of vehicles. This one is big.

Let’s Keep Each Other Safe

Winter can be beautiful but also slippery, sneaky, and full of surprises. Carrying a salt/sand shaker and using it generously is one of the easiest ways we can look out for ourselves and for each other.

Here’s to a S.A.F.E. and well-salted winter season! Remember to Stop And Focus Entirely

We have Safety Winners for the month of November!

Congratulations to Ayanna King - 023 and Caleb Fissette - 106!

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!

Welcome Aboard!

Please give our new hires a warm welcome!

Madeline Hedtke

Aurora Residential Alternatives

Community Living Assistant, La Crosse

Why I applied for the job: I’m pre-Genetic Counseling at UWL and I applied for this job to get experience in the field and help people with disabilities

What I will bring to the job: I will bring patience, kindness, and an optimistic personality.

My background: I’ve worked for over 5 years in the food industry and I’m currently a junior Biology major at UWL.

Family: I have 2 older sisters and a younger brother who live in Brookfield (20 mins outside Milwaukee)

Hobbies/interests: Music (Marching band/saxophone for 10 years), crocheting, and journaling.

Ethan Bartels

Aurora Vocational Services

Career Case Manager, Chippewa Falls

Why I applied for the job: I enjoy making an impact in individuals lives. I have worked with disabled clients for 7 years and it has brought me nothing but joy. I enjoy the connections that I get to make with my clients.

What I will bring to the job: I will bring a positive attitude + mindset, as well as an open minded or how to continue to grow and get better at providing services to my clients.

My background: AFT caregiver/manager (Stable living L.P.) 3 years

Special Education Paraprofessional w/ GATEWAYS in Eau Claire Area School District and Altoona Elementary School. (4 years)

Family: Mom, Dad, 1 little brother all still live in Green Bay. Younger sister lives in Eau Claire. I was born in EC but grew up in Green Bay before moving back to EC in 2018.

Hobbies: Everything Sports; Baseball has always been my favorite sport + I still play/manage an amateur team in the CRBL. Die Hard Packers/Brewers/Badgers fan; I also enjoy spending time outside and traveling when I can.

Alexis Anderson

Aurora Residential Alternatives

Community Living Specialist, Menomonie

Why I applied for the job: I wanted a job more aligned with my future goals.

My background: I am majoring in Psychology at UW-Stout.

Hobbies/interests: I am on the Stout track and field team and enjoy crocheting.

Angela Brewer

Aurora Residential Alternatives

Community Living Assistant, Comstock

What I will bring to the job: I will bring a good work ethic.

Family: It's just me and my kids.

Hobbies/interests: I like to play darts.

Henry Allard

Aurora Residential Alternatives

Community Living Assistant, La Crosse

Why I applied for the job: To gain experience in helping others live life to the fullest!

What I will bring to the job: A positive attitude and a willingness to learn.

My background: I have worked various summer jobs including construction, lifeguarding, and other general labor at a junkyard. I am currently a junior at UWL pursuing physical therapy.

Family: 2 loving parents: Jeremy and Jennifer, 2 fortunate sisters: Emma and Sarah, and 1 Dog: Wimpy.

Hobbies/interests: Aside from school and work, I enjoy training for endurance races. I am looking to my second half Ironman next year! I also enjoy making music and learning how to cook.

Nathan McKeefry

Aurora Community Counseling

Mental Health Therapist, Eau Claire

Why I applied for the job: I heard that it is a great place to work and I was looking to have more flexibility in my schedule and work environment.

What I will bring to the job: Experience and fresh perspective.

My background: I have worked as a therapist for a bit over 10 years. My niche is working with children and adolescents.

Family: I am married to Jenna McKeefry who is also a therapist at the Eau Claire Aurora. We have a 2 year old son named Julian. We also have a cat named Asher and a Siberian husky named Storm.

Hobbies/interests: Music, record collecting, video games, and movies.

Brooke Sandmire

Aurora Residential Alternatives

Program Manager, Wausau

Why I applied for the job: I miss my boys!!!

What I will bring to the job: Same level of expertise and advocacy I always bring.

My background: 3 rounds with this company.

Family: Mother is close by, and I have 1 cat at home.

Hobbies/interests: Crafts, reading, music, anything paranormal.

Isabelle Powers (Izzy)

Aurora Residential Alternatives

Community Living Specialist, Weston

What I will bring to the job: Care and commitment.

My background: CNA and caregiver. I like to read, and be outdoors.

MaryJo Wolfgram (M.J.)

Aurora Residential Alternatives

Community Living Assistant, Wausau

Why I applied for the job: Worked with “the guys” in past.

What I will bring to the job: Comfort and stability.

My background: Caregiving.

Family: Grandchildren: 1-year old girl, and 2-year old boy

Hobbies/interests: Walking in parks with my puppy.

We Have the BEST Staff

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

Aurora Management

Candace Kapperman-Wolf – 23 years

Ricardo Garcia – 1 year

Nicolette Coss – 23 years

LuAnn Esko – 8 years

Marisa Lammer – 13 years

Erik Olson – 9 years

Donald Andresen – 33 years

Anna Holloway – 4 years

Grace Zimmer – 2 years

Aurora Direct Care Staff

Austin Walls – 8 years

Brooke Knutson – 4 years

Abigail Potter – 2 years

Sherri Pierce – 29 years

Joel Bosse – 17 years

Deborah Gentz – 11 years

Amanda Lunde – 3 years

Robert Neary – 4 years

Demetrius Banks – 7 years

Mirayra Rau – 6 years

Allyssa Fulkerson – 3 years

Anisten Casanova – 1 year

Samantha King – 9 years

Scott Jakel – 2 years

Gwendolyn Jones Rizk – 1 year

When we combine all of these years of service,

we get 223 YEARS!

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

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Aurora!

Aurora and all those we serve are most grateful to each of you for your contributions to enriching the lives of others so selflessly every day! Thank you just isn’t enough…we wish you a wonderful holiday season with great family, friends, food, and fun!