Owners Corner
— Featuring Louis Echavarria —
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This month we feature Louis Echavarria, Program Assistant at the Eau Claire Day Services Center.
Louis has been with Aurora for 4 years. He enjoys being able to provide programs and activities to consumers that match their likes and preferences, social and behavioral development. He credits the efforts of staff to learn and understand the needs of consumers with the positive outcomes he enjoys seeing in those he supports. Louis believes we should never become complacent in our efforts to improve our services to others and continue to strive to improve and challenge ourselves which will result in accomplishment for everyone.
Louis truly has the spark that can ignite the spirit in others and says we only have one life – let’s make it count!
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Calling All
Smile-Makers!
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We need more people like you!
Did you know Smile-Makers are drawn to other Smile-Makers? We can attract them by getting the word out!
How can you help?
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Like and share Aurora’s social media posts!
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Write a review to let others know why they should become a Smile-Maker!
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Aurora will soon offer hourly employees the option of accessing their wages before payday!
We are working on an integration with RAIN, an app that provides
early—and in some cases immediate—access to wages, free financial consultation and resources, discounts on health and wellness resources, auto insurance, and more. We anticipate this partnership beginning in March 2022. Stay tuned as we learn more!
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Aurora's annual Management Meeting was held virtually on Thursday, Jan. 6. An important part of that meeting is the recognition of the excellence of our management staff. We recognized the following team members with the Value Word Award for exemplifying
Aurora’s values:
Resilient - Sarah Scheeringa
Integrity - Kathi Tollefson
Courageous - Julia Delzer
Compassion - Sandra Ming
Loyal - Jana Hansen
Passionate - Mikki Freeman
Responsive - Lisa Schumacher
Chuck Barnard Memorial Award - Megan Bauer
Be Your BEST Award - Steve Lauer
Star Man Award - Nancy Campbell-Kelz
We also recognized our Champions of the Year! These winners were selected from the four quarterly winners over 2021 who had previously been selected.
Quarterly winners of the Management Champion of the Quarter were Andrea Olson, AVS; Jessica Checkalski, Accounting; Rebecca Radke, AVS; and Melody Jorgenson.
And our Champion of the Year is ... Andrea Olson!
Quarterly winners of the Direct Support Champion of the Quarter were Guadalupe Sault, Eau Claire; Lyn Johnson, Baldwin; Joyce Swenson, Spooner; and Sherri Krueger, Mosinee.
And our Champion of the Year is ... Sherri Krueger!
Congratulations to all our winners! We do have the BEST employees!
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Aurora kicks off a new Employee Recognition program this year! We are making it easier to nominate your colleagues as Aurora’s BEST!
All you need to provide is a name. It’s super easy! Of course, you’re welcome to tell us why you are nominating the employee, but it’s not necessary. Qualified nominees (those in good standing per ARA Policy 1.B.09) will be contacted by our Employee Services team to learn about what makes them the best.
If you get a message from us, please call us back because all those employees will be entered into a drawing for $250!
Share the love and recognize the great people you work with!
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In our industry there are a LOT of acronyms and letters we toss around! This month our featured service is what you may have heard referred to as CCS—Comprehensive Community Services.
CCS is a voluntary, recovery-focused program that assists in helping individuals with a diagnosed mental health and/or substance use issue to support their current needs/goals as well as desires for their future. CCS is unique to other mental health and substance use treatment programs due to its flexible, creative, and at times nontraditional approach to providing services. These nontraditional services can include yoga, equine therapy, and caring for animals.
In CCS, recovery is defined by the consumer, who is in the driver’s seat, so to speak, in determining what supports and providers they want to work
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with as well as creating the goals they want to achieve through the program.
Aurora provides CCS through its AVS, ACC, and ARA companies. There are a total of 13 services that can be provided in CCS, and between these three different companies, Aurora is able to provide all 13 services.
We work with 4 consortiums to provide these services, which include the Recovery and Wellness Consortium (RWC), Western Region Integrated Care (WRIC), Barron, Eau Claire, St. Croix Consortium (BESt), and North Central Region Consortium (NCR). Each consortium has a group of counties that work together to provide these services.
Across the Aurora companies that provide these services, we have 24 employees who are involved in delivering the services!
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Welcome Aboard!
Please give our new hires a warm welcome!
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Alyssa Panke
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Community Living Assistant, La Crosse
Why I applied for the job: I have been around individuals with disabilities all my life, and it's something I'm very passionate about. I love helping people.
What I will bring to the job: Positive attitude, willingness to build rapport and learn more about each individual.
My background: I have worked for a company called Chileda in the past, and I absolutely loved it and learned a lot through it.
Hobbies/interests: Hanging with friends, public and social gatherings, being outside.
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DJ (Demetrius) Conner
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Community Living Assistant, La Crosse
Why I applied for the job: Needed a job, and I have experience.
What I will bring to the job: Experience.
My background: I just be chilling.
Family: 4 kids.
Hobbies/interests: I just be chilling.
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Justin Davis
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Community Living Assistant, Menomonie
Why I applied for the job: Love working with people. New views of life.
What I will bring to the job: Fresh smiles and helping hands.
My background: Working out, cooking, sports, anime/cartoons.
Family: Girlfriend and kids!!
Hobbies/interests: Work, work, more work.
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Tyler A. Luke
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Community Living Assistant, Menomonie
Why I applied for the job: My brother is disabled.
What I will bring to the job: Care, determination, and a clinical trained care.
My background: I love anything outside.
Family: Father, mother, and one brother.
Hobbies/interests: Hunting, fishing, and chemistry.
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Essie Fox
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Community Living Assistant, New Richmond
Why I applied for the job: I enjoy helping people and wanted to feel that my day was used being of service to someone who needs it.
What I will bring to the job: A fun and easy-going personality, with a caring heart that is willing to help.
My background: I have over 10 years clerical experience, and for the last 10 years I have been working in manufacturing.
Family: I have 3 children and 8 grands.
Hobbies/interests: My interests are music, cooking, and spending time with my grandchildren.
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David Berryman
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Community Living Assistant, Baldwin
Why I applied for the job: To take pride in what I do.
What I will bring to the job: To be nonjudgmental.
My background: Helping people.
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Gracie (Pamela) Hurst
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Program Assistant, Eau Claire Day Center
Why I applied for the job: To work closer to those with disabilities and follow this path I'm so interested in. I am very excited for all the experiences to come!
What I will bring to the job: A very bubbly attitude and the motivation to work hard! I hope I can be a good addition to the Aurora company!
My background: I have worked in inpatient addiction treatment for about a year, and my mother was a special ed teacher.
Family: All my family is currently living in AL, but I can't deal with that heat!
Hobbies/interests: Crocheting and relaxing with my kitties!
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Rylie Buchkowski
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Program Assistant, Eau Claire Day Center
Why I applied for the job: I just moved from Wausau, and this is the type of work that I love.
What I will bring to the job: Patience, empathy, respect.
My background: I just moved from Wausau where I worked at a residential site through Northcentral Healthcare Center.
Family: I come from a huge family—I have 6 siblings! I also am getting married next year.
Hobbies/interests: Hiking, reading, shopping, seeing my friends and family, trying new restaurants.
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Jodi Schlosser
Aurora Vocational Services
Employment Specialist, Menomonie
Why I applied for the job: I enjoy working with people and wanted to add some new experiences into my life in a different work atmosphere.
What I will bring to the job: New experiences.
My background: I worked at a nursing home from 1996-2005, then went to Mayo Clinic of Menomonie in 2005. I have worked in med-surg then transferred to OB and currently still work there. I have also helped out at a salon for the past 6 years.
Family: I have 3 children, ages 26, 22, and 19, and 3 grandchildren: Khloe, 9, Abel, 3, and Jax, 1.
Hobbies/interests: I enjoy crafts/painting. My son races, so that is a summer hobby.
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Brooke Oelke
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Community Living Assistant, Thorp
Why I applied for the job: Try something new. Enjoy helping/taking care of people.
What I will bring to the job: Positive attitude, hopefully a helping hand to someone.
My background: Child care, housekeeping, factory.
Family: Nate, boyfriend; Reigan, daughter; Brynleigh, daughter; Jaxon, dog; Gracie, cat.
Hobbies/interests: Reading, crafting, swimming, shopping.
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Robert Neary
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Community Living Assistant, La Crosse
Why I applied for the job: Looking to add an opportunity in a position that allows me to help others reach their full potential.
What I will bring to the job: An awesome personality and drive to help everyone win.
My background: La Crosse-area resident my whole life.
Family: 5 kids! 14, 10, 8 (twins), 7.
Hobbies/interests: Bass fishing, hiking, exploring new cities/towns.
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Amy Beatty
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Community Living Assistant, Wisconsin Rapids
Why I applied for the job: Because it's something I enjoy doing.
What I will bring to the job: I bring a lot of skill, caring, and compassion.
My background: I have worked in health care most of my life. Doing everything from community-based outings to group home care.
Family: Me, my daughter, stepdaughter, fiance.
Hobbies/interests: Crafts, going for walks, listening to music.
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Carly Nelson
Aurora Vocational Services
Vocational Coordinator, Chippewa County
Why I applied for the job: I loved the mission of the company, and I thought it brought my two areas, public health and sociology, together nicely.
What I will bring to the job: I am a good team player who is passionate about helping people.
My background: I have previously worked as a kennel assistant at a veterinary hospital, a home health aid, and a resident assistant at an assisted living facility. I recently graduated from UW-Eau Claire with a degree in public health and sociology.
Family: My parents are both biology teachers in Minnesota. I have a brother who works as an engineer in Tennessee.
Hobbies/interests: I love baking and board games.
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Gina Bune
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Community Living Assistant, Thorp
Why I applied for the job: I found an opportunity to work for a company close to home doing what I love, caregiving.
What I will bring to the job: 8 years of experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities and memory care. A good attitude, and smiles!
My background: I have been working in group homes and CBRF facilities since June 2014. I am in my final semester of nursing school, and caregiving is my passion!
Family: My boyfriend and I welcomed our daughter Iylan in October 2021. We enjoy our weekends with Ryan's daughter Brooklynn and our cat Binx.
Hobbies/interests: I love the outdoors. Fishing, camping, and swimming are some of my favorite activities.
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Megan Hubbard
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Community Living Assistant, Menomonie
Why I applied for the job: I love taking care of people.
What I will bring to the job: A kind heart.
My background: My employment interests are caregiving.
Family: I have a 12-year-old son, and we live with my boyfriend.
Hobbies/interests: I love anything outdoors: hiking, swimming, fishing, rock picking.
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Doreen Peltier
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Community Living Assistant, Plover
Why I applied for the job: I like working with people.
What I will bring to the job: A friend.
My background: I did all different jobs, but for me, I like taking care of people.
Family: Married for 21 years to a wonderful man, Al Peltier.
Hobbies/interests: Reading and puzzles and taking care of my grandbabies.
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We Have the BEST Staff
During the month of January, we celebrate anniversaries
for these Aurora managers:
Avis Wolske-Baker (34 years), Marni Waznik (28 years), Sadie Bygd (24 years), Jora Leahy (1 year), Chad Barnard (9 years), Melissa Gullickson-Lindloff (4 years), Carla Arnold (2 years), William Duerkop (1 year), Linda Dalland (18 years), Kimberly Jensen (11 years), Jana Pickers (10 years), and Brianna Martinek (10 years).
Those are some heavy-hitting numbers, adding up to 152 YEARS of experience within our ranks!
Thank you for sharing your time and talents with Aurora!
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