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Aurora Value Words
• Resilient • Integrity • Courageous
• Compassion • Loyal • Passionate • Responsive
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"Asking for help is never a sign of weakness. It’s one of the bravest things you can do. And it can
save your life."
-Lily Collins
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September is National Recovery Month
In 2022, 54.6 million people needed substance use treatment in the past year, but 13.1 million received treatment in the past year. Despite the millions impacted by substance use disorders (SUDs), research shows that people tend to have negative feelings about people with SUDs. It's important to help share the knowledge that SUDs, like opioid use disorder (OUD), are treatable. People with SUDs need support like those with any other disease. Research suggests more than 75% of people do not consider SUDs to be a chronic illness like diabetes or heart disease. To help those who are living with SUDs, several strategies and services are available. Stigma can make it hard for people who need help to get the help they need, and they may refuse or stop, or even be denied treatment because of stigma.
Recovery is REAL (Restoring Every Aspect of Life)
SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) focuses on the four major dimensions of recovery: health, home, community, and purpose. These are the building blocks that all people need to live healthy, happy, independent lives and to reach their full potential.
Help is available – through Aurora Community Counseling and many other resources. Don’t let stigma stop you!
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It doesn’t take much... just one click. An email pops up that looks legit: “Update your payment method.” The sender looks real, the message doesn’t feel out of the ordinary. You click, type in your password, maybe your credit card number… and just like that, your personal and work accounts are wide open. Within 48 hours, the bank’s calling about charges you don’t recognize. It’s scary how fast it happens.
Scammers aren’t doing the old “Nigerian prince” thing anymore. They’re smarter. They know what we expect to see in our inboxes; shipping delays, account notices, even family emergencies. And thanks to AI, those emails and texts look way more convincing than ever.
The FBI logged over 880,000 cybercrime complaints last year. Losses? $12.5 billion. And it’s not just about email. Phones, Wi-Fi, smart home devices, even a gaming console can all be entry points. Sometimes the people closest to us, like a family member or coworker, accidentally leave the door wide open without realizing it.
So what do we do?
Think of it like building speed to outrun the bear. You don’t have to have the most high-tech setup out there, you just have to make it harder for scammers to reach you. Start small:
- Turn on multifactor authentication everywhere.
- Use a password manager.
- Teach your family and coworkers what to look for. Run practice phishing tests.
- Make a family “safe word” to guard against AI voice scams.
- Use a VPN.
- Keep your devices updated.
- Back up your stuff.
And maybe most importantly: pause before you click. Even savvy people get fooled sometimes. At the end of the day, cybercriminals are running a business. They make money off of chaos. But we can protect ourselves, step by step. Don’t let the overwhelm stop you, pick one thing, lock it down, then move on to the next. Because your data, your money, your peace of mind? It’s worth protecting.
| | — featuring Erica Mortensen, Program Director | | |
Erica began her journey with Aurora in 2017 after a friend encouraged her to apply. Starting as a CLA, she quickly discovered how much she enjoyed the work, going on outings, caregiving, and even creating playlists for each home so she could play the consumers’ favorite music while she cooked. What she thought would be just a job soon became something she looked forward to every single day.
Over time, Erica grew into new roles. First as a Program Manager, and later as a Program Director. Though she briefly stepped away to work for an insurance company, she quickly realized it wasn’t the right fit. “I felt like a number, like what I did didn’t matter,” she explained. “At Aurora, I’ve never felt that way. Here, I feel purpose. If I’m having a bad day, all I have to do is visit a house.”
She often tells others considering the work, “You’ll find it’s hard to leave because you fall in love with it. I never expected myself to enjoy it the way I do. The consumers steal your heart, and it’s not something you can walk away from.”
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Dan from 057 enjoying time with her dog (pictured left).
Some of Erica’s favorite memories are tied to small, meaningful moments. I joke with one consumer that he only keeps me around for my dog, who loves asking about her and always wants to see pictures. At 57, there’s another consumer who brightens my whole day with her smile and always wants to have a coffee date. I love surprising her in the mornings with a cup. She also treasures summer cookouts, like the time a consumer picked up an entire water bucket and poured it over her during a hot day. “Luckily, I had extra clothes,” she laughed. “Those are the moments that stay with you.”
Now, as a Program Director, Erica is proud to be part of opening new homes. Though stressful at times, she finds it exciting to build something from the ground up, especially with the support of mentors like Wendy, Nikki, and Deena. Looking ahead, she hopes to open even more homes in the future.
Outside of work, Erica is a new mom and loves spending time with her daughter, taking her to the splash pad, listening to music in the park, or simply relaxing together on the porch in the summer.
Looking back, Erica never imagined she’d fall in love with this work the way she did. But as she puts it, “The people we serve steal your heart, and it changes you.”
Erica celebrated her birthday on August 29th, so be sure to wish her a very Happy Birthday!
Thank you Erica for putting so much heart into everything you do!
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Our BEST Employees for the month of September are Sarah Sheb from Direct Support and Narda Gordillo from management!
Each winning employee will receive $150! Congratulations and thanks for bringing your BEST!
Nominees from July 21st – August 20th:
Narda Gordillo • Angie Mandera • Jill Mattson • Linda Aton • Kathi Thibado
| | Recognize someone for being their 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!
Send YOUR nominations to BESTEmployees@AuroraServices.com.
Nominated employees will remain eligible for the bonus drawing all year.
| | Mastering the Art of Letting Go | | |
One of the keys to living with more calm and purpose is learning to let go. Much of our anxiety and frustration comes from holding on. Whether it's to ideas, expectations, or judgments of ourselves and others.
At its core, letting go is about loosening our grip on the thought that things “should” be different than they are. That idea that things should feel easier, people should act differently, I should be better... creates tension and resistance. When we release that story, what’s left is simply this moment, as it is.
Letting go doesn’t mean ignoring problems or giving up on change. It means we free ourselves from the suffering of clinging to an idea, so we can act from a place of clarity and freedom rather than frustration.
How to practice:
- Notice when you feel resistance, frustration, or anxiety.
- Allow yourself to feel it fully, without judgment.
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See if you can spot the “should” behind it, the idea that things ought to be different.
- Gently let that idea evaporate.
- From that space of freedom, take action if needed. Whether that’s having a conversation, starting a task, or simply breathing deeper.
Letting go isn’t always easy, but it’s deeply freeing. It allows us to stop fighting with reality and start engaging with it calmly, purposefully, and with more space for gratitude.
(Adapted from Leo Babauta, “Mastering the Art of Letting Go,” Zen Habits, https://zenhabits.net/mastering-letting-go/)
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“We do not heal the past by dwelling there; we heal the past by living fully in the present.”
– Marianne Williamson
| | Jocelyn's Homemade Vanilla Pudding | | | | |
This mix can be stored in a jar and whisked with milk when you’re ready to cook.
Ingredients (5–6 simple ones):
- 1 cup dry milk powder
- 1 cup sugar
- ¾ cup cornstarch
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 whole vanilla bean (split & scraped) or 2 Tbsp pure vanilla powder (or add vanilla extract when cooking)
How to use:
Whisk ½ cup mix with 2 cups milk (or 1½ cups milk + ½ cup cream for richness). Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened. Stir in 1–2 tsp vanilla extract and 1 Tbsp butter at the end for extra flavor.
Recipe Note: Unlike store bought pudding mixes that can have a dozen or more additives, this homemade version keeps it simple with just a few real ingredients. Thanks to Jocelyn Holder, our wonderful admin, for sharing this recipe with all of us!
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We have Safety Winners for the month of August!
Congratulations to Kristen Dusek – Menomonie Day Center and Jennifer Erickson - 071!
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!
S.A.F.E. = Stop And Focus Entirely!!
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Welcome Aboard!
Please give our new hires a warm welcome!
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Matthew Dyszelski
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Community Living Assistant, Wisconsin Rapids
Why I applied for the job: Extra part-time cash.
What I will bring to the job: Passion and care for people.
My background: Poker, Vegas, sports, YouTube, sleeping, and cooking.
Hobbies/interests: Poker and Vegas.
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Patrick B. Hager
Aurora Vocational Services
Employment Specialist, Wausau
Why I applied for the job: To be a positive influence on my community.
What I will bring to the job: Energy and commitment will be the package I bring to Aurora.
My background: Biology (Fisheries).
Hobbies/interests: Fly tying and fishing.
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Heidi Fairbanks
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Community Living Assistant, Baldwin
Why I applied for the job: Experience – Love the feeling of helping others. Location – could walk if had to.
What I will bring to the job: My talents :) – personality – dedication – devotion to anyone. I could make life a bit better, it’s a great feeling.
My background: 12 years in home care in MN. Moved to Menomonie. Worked Autumn Village Assist. Living (overnights) for 1 month. Got CNA license in Woodville.
Family: Live with youngest son & granddaughter. Oldest lives close with wife & youngest granddaughter. Middle son – L.I. Res. in GF’s. (3 sons)
Hobbies: Cribbage, reading, and gardening.
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Monique Steiner
Aurora Vocational Services
IPS Vocational Coordinator, Chippewa Office
Why I applied for the job: I missed working 1 to 1 with consumers. I had a great experience in this role in the past.
What I will bring to the job: Patience. Compassion. Vocational knowledge.
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Aubrey Fricke
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Community Living Assistant, Onalaska
Why I applied for the job: It relates to what I want to do after my schooling. I also enjoy working with people and helping.
What I will bring to the job: A bright, positive attitude and being reliable in terms of following rules and regulations, as well as punctuality.
My background: Working with others and helping others, being organized and keeping a clean space.
Family: I have 3 sisters and 1 nephew.
Hobbies/interests: I like to cook a lot, as well as travel. If it has to do with being outside, I love it.
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Breanna Sanders
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Community Living Assistant, La Crosse
Why I applied for the job: My passion is to help and provide for those who are unable to do so for themselves. I believe in being happy and making the best out of any situation.
What I will bring to the job: I will bring positivity, community and always come with a good attitude.
My background: Human services, customer service, independent living, dementia, adults with disabilities.
Family: 2 brothers, mom, grandma, my dog, Winnie.
Hobbies/interests: Being a mom to my dog, reality TV, visiting friends in other cities.
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Aliyah Johannes
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Community Living Assistant, La Crosse
Why I applied for the job: I love doing this work.
What I will bring to the job: Effort and good energy.
Family: 2 sisters.
Hobbies/interests: Anything outdoors.
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Jennifer Guidry
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Community Living Assistant, La Crosse
Why I applied for the job: Extra hours, been a caregiver since I was 17, and it's all I know how to do. I love people.
What I will bring to the job: Dedication, experience, hard worker.
My background: Program Manager.
Family: 3 kids – Prenshal, Terrell 20, Salena 17.
Hobbies/interests: Traveling.
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Jolene Hendrickson
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Community Living Assistant, Onalaska
Why I applied for the job: To help others live their best life.
What I will bring to the job: Skills, knowledge & positive personality.
My background: From Wisconsin.
Family: Partner and son.
Hobbies/interests: Disc golf, pool, and drives.
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Sophie Clements
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Community Living Assistant, La Crosse
Why I applied for the job: I applied for this job so I could get experience working directly with people.
What I will bring to the job: I will bring a positive attitude and problem solving skills!
My background: In my free time I enjoy hanging out with friends, baking, fishing, and watching movies!
Family: In my family I have my parents, an older sister, younger brother and two dogs, Toby and Luna!
Hobbies/interests: I have worked at Kwik Trip and I am going to school at Western TC for respiratory therapy!
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Terianna Thompson
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Community Living Assistant, Onalaska
Why I applied for the job: Going to school for special ed teaching.
What I will bring to the job: Laughs, good spirit, and good teamwork.
My background: Mainly hospitality.
Family: 2 sisters & 1 brother. My daughter due in December ‘25.
Hobbies/interests: Music, reading, going-watching movies.
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Desirée Lawrence
Aurora Vocational Services
Cardinal Transitional Academy Vocational Coordinator, Chippewa Office
Why I applied for the job: Wanted to be in position where I could share a meaningful impact on others and be of service.
What I will bring to the job: Kindness, patience, and care.
My background: Health insurance, daycare, handyman services, catering.
Family: Married with 10 children.
Hobbies/interests: Kids’ sports, music, making cakes/cupcakes, cooking.
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Kayla Klippen
Aurora Vocational Services
Employment Specialist Intern, Eau Claire
Why I applied for the job: I applied for this job so I could help make a difference in other people’s lives. I have always had a passion for helping people which led me to going to school to become a therapist.
What I will bring to the job: I will bring my passion & kindness to this job to help make a difference in my clients’ lives.
My background: I just graduated from UWEC with a BSW & completed an internship with Chippewa County CCS. I am currently in the process of getting my MSW so I can become a therapist.
Family: I am from Hastings, MN, but I recently moved to WI and I live with my boyfriend and my dog, Cosmo.
Hobbies/interests: Walking my dog, knitting, and watching dating shows.
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Sam Milewsky
Aurora Vocational Services
Vocational Coordinator, Chippewa Office
Why I applied for the job: I just moved back to Wisconsin from Idaho and am glad to be part of the Aurora Team.
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Ti Rich
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Community Living Assistant, Eau Claire
Why I applied for the job: I enjoyed working in the environment & community.
Hobbies/interests: Exercising.
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Malcom Bannach
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Community Living Assistant, Eau Claire
Why I applied for the job: I feel advocacy and empowerment for people with disabilities is incredibly important, and I found this passion through being that advocate for my brother.
What I will bring to the job: Passion towards making a difference and making sure that the work I am doing leaves a lasting, positive change.
My background: Peer Counselor for queer students residing in UWEC Rainbow Floors LLC, and Sales Associate at Brewers Team Store.
Hobbies/interests: Spending time with my cat, Wesley.
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We Have the BEST Staff
During the month of September, we are celebrating these anniversaries!
Aurora Management
Theodore East – 7 years
Kristen Shaw – 22 years
Erica Tison – 1 year
Susan Buckley – 15 years
Richard Jaramillo – 4 years
Jennifer Scherff – 7 years
Anthony Mesner-Nayes – 4 years
Nichole Hartung – 4 years
Ian McAlister – 4 years
Ian Rajek – 14 years
Aurora Direct Care Staff
Racheal Rohde – 2 years
Sarah Sheb – 5 years
Deanna Jeffers – 16 years
Brian St Arnauld – 8 years
William Montgomery – 2 years
Paul Okoroji – 24 years
Ashley Mayer – 2 years
Oppong Kyeremeh – 11 years
Emalee Terpstra – 1 year
Laura Holstein – 7 years
Maria Mafurutu – 2 years
Melinda Ziesman – 5 years
Lindsey Gregory – 2 years
Kimberly Bunt – 1 year
Laurens Jean – 1 year
Gordon Prell – 1 year
When we combine all of these years of service,
we get 172 YEARS! From handwritten letters to instant messages, that's 172 Autumns, 62,780 mornings with coffee, starry nights, and Vincent van Gogh wasn't even born yet.
Thank you for sharing your time, talents and wisdom with us!
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