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Aurora Value Words
• Resilient • Integrity • Courageous
• Compassion • Loyal • Passionate • Responsive
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Be the best of whatever you are.
– Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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It's Time to Select Your Health Insurance Plan for 2025!
For those of you who are eligible for health insurance, the enrollment period to select your health insurance plan is approaching: November 13-19, 2024. If you are satisfied with your current plan, you can select it again! If you wish to make a change to your plan, you have that option as well. If you haven’t enrolled, this is your chance.
Zizzl will provide various health insurance plans for consideration. Additionally, Aurora will continue to support you by assisting with your health insurance premium.
We will keep you informed with updates from both Zizzl and Aurora. Please check your Aurora email, RTasks, and fax communications we send your way. Staying informed is key!
Both Zizzl and Aurora’s Benefit Specialist are available to assist you with any questions you may have. Be sure to mark your calendars for the enrollment period, as it is crucial to select a plan during November 13-19th to ensure you have coverage for the 2025 plan year.
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
(Statements Simplified)
Eligible employees received their Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) statements for the 2023 plan year in August. The statement summarizes their account with details such as:
- Account Overview: Includes beginning balance, change during the period, ending balance, and vested balance (the portion owned).
- Change Details: Shows contributions, forfeitures (redistributed stock from non-vested employees), payments to former employees, and stock gains or losses.
- Final Information: Displays the number of shares of Aurora Community Services Inc and their price, along with cash held by the ESOP.
Next month, there will be further insights into the ESOP, its purpose, and its impact on employees.
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The End of an Era
The Mosinee building closed its doors for the last time and is officially part of Aurora's history.
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Program Director Pete Johnson's Aurora journey started nearly a decade ago, thanks to his childhood friend Justin Boiteau. While studying special education, he started as a Community Living Assistant and says he “quickly grew to love the job and company culture,” eventually becoming a Program Director. He says he values Aurora's close-knit culture, especially within the EC office. “Everyone works together as a team to overcome challenges,” Pete says.
Pete says he developed essential skills like patience when supporting both staff and consumers. For those considering this field, he encourages full commitment, because he found that perseverance can lead to finding your true calling. Overall, he says his time at Aurora has been a journey of growth and dedication to a meaningful cause.
Balancing work and personal life is crucial; he focuses on being present for his two daughters and being there for their volleyball tournaments. He says he thoroughly enjoys attending tournaments and cheering on his girls as they pursue their passion. He also has a five-year-old daughter who joins him at their games and loves rooting on her big sisters.
Thank you, Pete, for sharing your passion, wisdom and BEST with us!
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Our BEST Employees for the month of September are Sandy Ming from Call Center and April Solberg from management!
Each winning employee will receive $150! Congratulations and thanks for bringing your BEST!
Nominees from August 21 - September 19 were:
Katie Andresen
Renea Andreski
Brian Bender
Nathan Carlsen
Helen Carter
Nikki Coss
Jazmine Daniels
Abbey Dieckman
Matt Dux
Mikki Freeman
Hannah Goss
Jen Harrup
Nicole Hartung
Jocelyn Holder
Adam Huber
Sam King
Emily Lambert
Mindi LeMere
Amanda Lunde
Sandy Ming
Sean Nelson
Lindsay Pittman
Jim Showalter
Orlando Simon
April Solberg
Jacob Tappe
Jenny Thomas
Paige Tucker
Jayda Turchen
Gao Vang
Grace Zimmer
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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!
Remember to send your nominations to BESTEmployees@AuroraServices.com.
Once nominated, employees will remain eligible for the bonus drawing throughout the year.
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We have Safety Winners for the month of August!
Congratulations to Branda Kolve from 029 in New Richmond, and Miraya Rau from 124 in Mosinee!
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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Resilience, a core value of Aurora, is crucial for overall health, as it reflects our ability to recover from adversity and maintain happiness. It helps us adapt to change and stress, leading to positive psychological traits and minor disruptions in functioning. Research shows resilience is linked to healthier trauma responses and lower suicidality across all demographics. | | | |
October is National Cybersecurity Month
How many internet-connected gizmos are running amok in your home? While these nifty gadgets make life a breeze, they also throw open the doors to cyber baddies! Whether you're scrolling through social media, snagging deals online, or jamming out with your smart speaker, check out these cybersecurity hacks to keep those digital gremlins at bay!
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Cybersecurity Tips:
Social Media Safety
- Set profiles to private and connect only with trusted individuals.
- Avoid sharing sensitive information; anything posted can be misused.
- Be cautious of oversharing through seemingly harmless posts.
Online Shopping Safety
- Shop on reputable websites only.
- Use credit/debit cards for payments; avoid cash or wire transfers.
- Choose quality deals over the cheapest offers.
Smart Device Safety
- Disable the “always listening” feature on smart devices or mute microphones.
- Regularly check and clear activity history for unusual activity.
- Keep devices updated with the latest security patches.
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Welcome Aboard!
Please give our new hires a warm welcome!
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Whitney Huber
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Community Living Assistant, Wausau
Why I applied for the job: I enjoy helping and connecting with others.
My background: I have been a CNA for 12 years and enjoy working in healthcare.
Family: I have a 3-year old girl, Lucy, and a 2-year old boy, Charlie.
Hobbies/interests: Reading and going on walks.
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Emily Jordahl
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Community Living Assistant, Eau Claire
Why I applied for the job: I did caregiving in my hometown and fell in love with it!
What I will bring to the job: Humor, passion, and respect.
My background: I am in the Nursing Program at UWEC and have done caregiving in the past.
Family: I have one sister who lives in Hudson, WI and my parents still live in my hometown of Fargo ND.
Hobbies/interests: I like to crochet and play games on my XBox.
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Amanda McCoy Brents
Aurora Vocational Services
Program Assistant, Menomonie
Why I applied for the job: I love working with people! I have a passion for caregiving. The hours were a bonus!
What I will bring to the job: Experience, my personality and friendship.
My background: PCW/Med Coordinator at Angels Haven. Teacher at Little Sprouts.
Family: I have a husband, John, two boys, and two dogs.
Hobbies/interests: I love being outdoors, arts and crafts, and reading.
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Ella Tiedemen
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Employment Specialist I, Eau Claire
Why I applied for the job: I am a second year special education major at UWEC.
My background: I have a younger brother and sister who are twins, and a dog at home named Rey.
Hobbies/interests: I enjoy singing and doing musicals. The last performance I did was Sweeny Todd at ECCT.
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Finn Prell
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Employment Specialist I, Menomonie
Why I applied for the job: Get my foot in the door of vocational rehab.
What I will bring to the job: Teamwork.
Family: I have a mom, dad, and younger sister.
Hobbies/interests: I enjoy sports.
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Brianna Quade
Aurora Residential Services
Community Living Specialist, Baldwin
Why I applied for the job: I wanted the opportunity to use my skills to help others. I was looking for a workplace that offered me the opportunity and make a positive difference.
What I will bring to the job: I will bring my hard work and dedicated attitude as well as care and compassion for others.
My background: I recently graduated from UW-Stout with a Bachelors in Psychology.
Hobbies/interests: I enjoy spending time outdoors, going for walks/hikes, and creative hobbies like drawing and painting.
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Erika Tison
Aurora Community Counseling
AODA Counselor, Spooner and Siren
Why I applied for the job: I have always been passionate about helping people and making a difference in someone's life even if it is small.
What I will bring to the job: I will bring my optimism and bubbly personality, as well as fun jokes.
My background: I am a student at Grand Canyon University for my Bachelors/Master in social work. I worked at Culver's when my kids were little and am now pursuing my career goals.
Family: I have two children who love to get into everything and love going on adventures.
Hobbies/interests: I am an avid reader and love reading almost anything. I love going on adventures with my kids whether it's to a water park or the zoo.
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Kayla Jensen
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Program Assistant, Wausau
Why I applied for the job: I wanted to find a position I could make an impact on peoples lives.
What I will bring to the job: Compassion, fun, care for others, and positivity.
My background: Spa owner.
Family: I have two boys, 13 and 17, I have a big family, 4 dogs, 1 cat who are all my babies.
Hobbies/interests: Cooking, baking, reality TV, fishing with my kids, and spending time with family.
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We Have the BEST Staff
During the month of October, we are celebrating these anniversaries!
Aurora Management
Jenny Thomas (3 years), Abbey Dieckman (5 years),
Cynthia Smith (30 years), Gina Krueger (21 years), Courtney Goff (5 years, Jill Mattson (20 years), and Wendy Jagoditsh (20 years).
Aurora Direct Care Staff
Andrew Seever (1 year), Jessica Baltzell (11 years),
Shawn Feist (6 years), Michelle Baljo (14 years), Brian Nelson (1 year), Robin O'Connor (4 years), Jamie Weidler (11 years), Jenifer Stainbrook (16 years), Trisha Hanson (9 years), Cora Schaefer (1 year), Vicki Campbell (1 year), DeAnna Howard (2 years), Donna Como (8 years), Emma Eimer (1 year), Seth Yun (6 years), Rocio Seise (8 years), Julie Barr (7 years), and Christina Strom (4 years).
When we combine all of these years of service,
we get 215 YEARS of experience at Aurora!
Thank you for sharing your time, talents and wisdom with us!
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