401K Open Enrollment is here! If you are currently eligible and would like to participate, act fast! Open enrollment ends June 30th. Contributing a little now can make a big difference later!
Contact Jessica Checkalski at 715-235-1839 or jcheckalski@auroraservices.com for
your enrollment forms.
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Owners Corner
— by Jesseca Erb —
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This month’s featured owner of Aurora is Nikki Coss.
Twenty-one years ago, Nikki Coss was a stay-at-home mom who needed to get back into the workforce. After seeing an Aurora ad in the paper for an office administrator in Eau Claire , Nikki applied, and unbeknownst to her at the time, became an Aurora lifer. She later transferred to the Menomonie office, where she eventually became the office manager.
In addition to Nikki’s managerial responsibilities, she soon saw a need for her skills in the automotive and maintenance areas of Aurora. She was always happy to help out. In early 2022, Nikki became the director of maintenance and fleet, which she calls a dream job that is a perfect fit for her.
Nikki confided that several years back, she left Aurora to pursue another opportunity. She explained that when she gave her resignation, she knew she was making a mistake, but she felt a need to follow through with the decision she was making. Nine months later, Nikki came back. She explained that Aurora’s values, family-oriented culture, and flexibility were all things that she was proud to be a part of. Nikki often jokes that she’ll be around until the end, saying you can’t get rid of her that easily because this is where she belongs.
In her spare time, Nikki enjoys camping and spending time with her eight-month-old granddaughter, whom she explains is her pride and joy.
Thank you for all of your contributions to Aurora, Nikki!
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Featured Service
— by Amanda Rageth —
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This month, we feature the services provided through the Supportive Home Care program.
Aurora is comprised of multiple companies and services geared toward helping adults with differing abilities remain as independent in their communities as possible. One of the services Aurora provides under residential services is Supportive Home Care (SHC).
SHC services are currently available in Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls, and Menomonie, and they provide aid to adults living in their private residence. This program is overseen by Jill Mattson and managed by Jessica Effertz, who is the Community Services Coordinator. There is a small handful of staff who work short shifts with these consumers, helping them with many daily tasks, such as: light housekeeping, meal prep, shopping, doctor’s appointments, home and medication organization, and skill development, as well as general camaraderie. The shifts are on average two hours long, but can be anywhere between one hour and in rare cases up to seven hours.
How is this different than the group home environment? The consumers may range from an adult with a disability learning to live in their community alone to someone with dementia as well as elderly adults who just need a little extra help to stay in their own home. All SHC consumers are ambulatory, though there may be some care assistance. These positions, however, will not include full personal care assistance. SHC staff must use their own vehicle for this position and maintain adequate vehicle insurance. Staff maintain a paper time card, complete a paper task sheet, and must document mileage for reimbursement. It is possible but rare for a full-time position in this program with most staff working 10-20 hours per week. There are weekend hours to work, but they are not required for all consumers.
Our SHC program helps these adults live in their own homes and gives them access to their communities while celebrating their ability to remain as independent as possible.
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Open to Opportunities
— by Linda Aton —
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In 1987, Deena Black was a student majoring in Vocational Rehabilitation at UW-Stout in Menomonie when she saw a posting on a job board. The position was for a live-in direct care staff at a group home supporting individuals with challenges relating to mental illness. She had been working for another support program supporting individuals with mental illness, so she thought this would be another great opportunity to gain experience. She confesses that the idea of not having to pay rent was also pretty appealing.
After one meeting with Aurora founders Dave and Jim, Deena knew the company’s philosophy fit perfectly with her own ideation of services for people with disabilities. In fact, the philosophy is a big reason she has stayed with the company so long. “I have always loved the fact that at our core, people are people and deserve to live their life with the same opportunities, respect, and participation, regardless of what sort of challenges they may be faced with,” Deena says.
Speaking of opportunities, Deena found many times over her years to do different things and try on new roles. She started as a weekend relief in 1987, preparing to take the full-time live-in position she had first seen. She continued in direct care until she graduated in 1989. She returned in 1992 as a program director, and within 5 years she received the opportunity to work in staff training and development with some HR responsibilities as well. The following couple of years brought about development of Day Services Programs in multiple communities. Deena supervised these locations until about 2007, when she had an opportunity to return to Residential Services.
Why was Deena presented the chance to advance so many times? “I guess I would say Aurora saw my commitment to what we do and that no matter the job I had, it wasn’t just a job, it was something I truly believed in. I have been told that one of my best qualities is my patience and ability to remain calm and professional,” she said. “I suppose those qualities are helpful in our business. I have also had a desire to learn and grow and never really kept that a secret.”
Deena says her way of keeping Aurora a great company is to make sure that she conducts herself with integrity and stays true to our philosophy. “I believe in people and want them to be their best. I have always tried to encourage and support people to be confident in themselves, expand their skill set, be accountable, and pursue that which makes them happy. I have tried to be the kind of leader that doesn’t just hand out the answers, but who supports and guides people to find the answer.”
Keep YOUR eyes open for opportunities in Aurora!
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Our BEST Employees for the month of May are ... Dorothy Reed from direct support and Sue Hertz from management! Congratulations!
Nominees for the month of May were:
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Jesseca Erb
Ian Rajek
Dorothy Reed
Sandie Acquissa
Sherrie Pierce
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Julie Lifto
Linda Aton
Nichole Hartung
Jeanne Martens
David Furst
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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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Congratulations to Zoe Kane from 011 in Menomonie and Ashton Mack from 082 in Spooner!
These team members have demonstrated their commitment to safety and have won a $100 bonus for having done so!
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REALiving Director Gina Krueger shares the exciting news that four Aurora employees passed the BESTology Certification Course and Exam. For their hard work, they receive a BESTology Certification Diploma and a gift box!
Congratulations to Katherine Barnard, Jessica Effertz, Heidi Lang, and LuAnn Esko! They are all now qualified to coach others to be their BEST!
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REALiving got a shout-out on social media recently! One of their clients posted pictures from a presentation by Sadie Bygd, REALiving Consultant. Shared to their Facebook and LinkedIn pages, the client had this to say:
"The leadership team recently had an opportunity to come together for a collaborative day of learning and discussion. Huge thanks to our EAP Provider, REALiving, for hosting—it was a fun and engaging experience!
Sadie and REALiving, you are BUSTED for being your BEST! It is A LOT of work to create presentations, travel to different sites, and present in a way that is—like the client said—fun and engaging. Way to go!
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Congratulations to April Solberg on her promotion to Marketing and Creative Director for Aurora! April has been with us for 6 years as our utility administrative support player for our Marketing and Creative services, REALiving, ACC, our social media messaging, and the rest of the Aurora companies. Her professional skills have been instrumental in all marketing efforts, including the REALiving Magazine and the new Loop (internal newsletter).
April said of this opportunity, “I have learned so much under the direction and leadership of Stavroula McCormick. Now I’m excited for the opportunity to run the Marketing Department and continue working with all of Aurora’s companies to produce quality products, campaigns, publications, and more. It’s good to have a job, but it’s even better when you love what you do!”
Congratulations, April!
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June is Men's Health Month.
We want all our brothers, partners, sons, dads, grandpas, uncles, and friends to be healthy! Here are some considerations for maintaining good health:
Age 20-45
Annual physical
Testicular self-exam
Colon cancer screening (age 45)
Age 46-60
Annual physical
Testicular self-exam
Prostate cancer screening
Check for erectile dysfunction
Colon cancer screening
Age 60+
Annual physical
Prostate cancer screening
Check for urinary symptoms
Colon cancer screening (until 75)
Source: Unity Point Health
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Welcome Aboard!
Please give our new hires a warm welcome!
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Liberty Arrowood
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Community Living Assistant, Mosinee
Why I applied for the job: My grandparents have an adult care home that I grew up in, so I've been around this area of work since I was a child.
What I will bring to the job: Enthusiasm, grit, and and eager learner.
My background: Worked in a factory, grew up in a group home.
Family: Married, living with a friend and spouse.
Hobbies/interests: I have a small business, selling my crafts. Otherwise, I like to write and cook.
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Aneissa Keizer
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Community Living Assistant, Menomonie
Why I applied for the job: I applied because I care about people, and I thought this would be a good job for me.
What I will bring to the job: I will bring a good vibe and light to work.
My background: I'm a Cancer.
Family: Melissa Perrault.
Hobbies/interests: Tarot reading, art.
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Daniel Azarshin
Aurora Vocational Services
Employment Specialist I, Eau Claire
Why I applied for the job: I want to have increased exposure to adults with disabilities, and I want to learn the best ways to motivate them and facilitate dependence regarding their employment.
What I will bring to the job: Motivation to learn and improve, compassion, drive to perform the best that I can.
My background: Background in environmental biology. I used to be a watercraft inspector for Beaver Creek Reserve. Currently a communication sciences and disorders major at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
Family: Amir Azarshin - father; Sara Nerbonne - girlfriend.
Hobbies/interests: Video games, hanging out with my cat and girlfriend.
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Amber Zuberhuehler
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Program Assistant, Menomonie
Why I applied for the job: I lwas working at Grace Adult Day Services in Chippewa Falls. I loved it. I wanted to work closer to home.
What I will bring to the job: Fun and a creative vibe.
My background: I worked for Aurora for six years. I was a program manager. I worked for Grace Adult Day Services.
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Cassie Eder
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Float Staff, Menomonie
Why I applied for the job: Relocating, growth with a company.
My background: Caregiver for 10 years.
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Bobbi Jo Schick
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Community Living Assistant, New Richmond
Why I applied for the job: Helping people.
What I will bring to the job: Honest, loving, making life easier the best that I can.
My background: Caregiver.
Family: 6 children, 13 grandkids
Hobbies/interests: Fishing.
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We Have the BEST Staff
During the month of June, we are celebrating anniversaries!
Aurora Management
Linda Aton (30 years), Renee Conley (6 years), April Solberg (6 years), Rebecca Dennis (1 year), Sunshine Gerrits (1 year), Amanda Rageth (13 years), James Showalter (4 years), Jadie Whittier (1 year), Cyndi Johnson (21 years), Andrea Olson (18 years), Justin Boiteau (16 years), Orlando Simon (12 years), and Melaine Lepak (9 years).
Aurora Direct Care Staff
Edward Gengenbach (16 years), Amanda Tomaszewski (6 years), Linda Liebzeit (22 years), Sherry Lew (3 years), Vincent Gisacho (6 years), Angela Mandera (15 years), Angela Pickhard (3 years), Cornelia Bohn (19 years), Lisa Tijerina (3 years), Dianna Raspiller (2 years), Caleb Brison (9 years), Ann Strong (4 years), Monique Wimmer (1 year), Duncan Crosby (2 years), Jacqueline Kufahl (18 years), and Jessica Effertz (11 years).
That's a combined 278 YEARS of experience at Aurora!
Thank you for sharing your time and talents with us!
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