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I have had the honor of visiting many of our work locations over the past couple weeks. I pretend they are safety visits, but really they are my chance to reconnect with why we do what we do. I cannot say how impressed I have been when I see consumers who are well cared for and happy, staff who are so incredibly dedicated (in spite of working way more hours than they probably ever imagined they could), and homes, centers, and offices that contain joy and happiness. This is what it’s all about – thank you!
We wish all our Aurora family a wonderful holiday season! We hope you have time to enjoy family and friends, as well as good food and drink, and to steal a warm cozy moment or two to reflect on how you have impacted so many others this year! Thank you for your dedication and tireless efforts to bring goodness to others.
Happy Holidays!
Marni Waznik
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"December is the time for remembering the past and reaching toward the future."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
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Owners Corner
— by Jenny Thomas —
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Featured owner of Aurora this month is LuAnn Esko, Regional Coordinator for AVS.
LuAnn started with Aurora in 2012 after she attended a job fair where she stumbled upon an Aurora booth and talked to one of the recruiters. She started in an administrative capacity and assisted the Mosinee office with various clerical and organizational duties. She later transitioned into an Employment Specialist role, which eventually evolved into a Vocational Coordinator role. Today LuAnn works as a Regional Coordinator. Part of her role is working with consumers who have varying degrees of disabilities. She helps them discover their strengths and find employment that suits their interest and abilities.
LuAnn also offers support to other coordinators in the Eau Claire area to help consumers find employment and overcome personal or professional barriers. "We help them draft resumes and coach them through the interview process," LuAnn explained. "The goal is to help them find employment that suits their skills and experience."
This position works closely with Department Vocational Rehabilitation to arrange training or technical assistance that enables the consumer to go to work. Sometimes this involves working with employers regarding disabilities and other employment issues. “The goal is to help consumers achieve their employment goals.” When asked what she enjoys most about her job, LuAnn answered, “The challenges. We find creative solutions and help people become their best. Hopefully, we have some fun along the way doing it.”
During her free time, LuAnn loves to camp, have campfires, and relax. She enjoys hanging out with friends and family and watching murder or true crime shows.
It would be a "true crime" if we didn't give you a hearty THANK YOU for all your work at Aurora! Thank you, LuAnn!
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Ann Stevens
After 20 years with Aurora, Residential Director Ann Stevens has retired this month. A party was held at the Mosinee office to wish her a fond farewell.
Pictured are Ann Stevens, left, and Deena Black, right.
Thank you for your dedication to Aurora, Ann! And BEST wishes for your future!
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Judy Koxlien
Following 23 years of service with Aurora, CLA Judy Koxlien has officially retired this month. She worked in the La Crosse area.
Judy, thank you so much for all the care, dedication, and passion you showed throughout your Aurora years. We wish you the BEST of luck in your future!
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Congratulations to Aurora employees Jenny Thomas, Recruitment Coordinator out of Mosinee, and Courtney Goff, Program Director out of Colorado, who have both completed REALiving's BESTology Certification Course! They are now both certified BESTologists and will join REALiving's roster of professional coaches!
If you are interested in taking part in the BESTology Certification Course, there are openings for the class beginning June 2024. Visit www.REALiving.com and use your login information to navigate to the "BESTology" tab. You must have the approval of your supervisor to apply.
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Bill Duerkop
Congratulations to Bill Duerkop, who has joined the REALiving team as an Account Champion!
Bill will keep one foot in Aurora Vocational Services as a Skills Development Specialist.
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Jesseca Erb
Congratulations to Jesseca Erb, HR Director, who has accepted a transfer to REALiving!
Jesseca is currently sharing her time between the Employee Services Team and REALiving while we work toward replacing her.
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The Chippewa Falls offices are undergoing a bit of a switcheroo!
AVS employees Tess McConville, Vicki Solberg, Lori Burns, Ian McAlister, and Gracie Hurst will be moving over to the original Chippewa office at 345 Frenette Drive. Moving into the newer building at 321 Frenette Drive will be ARA's Lisa Bechel, and REALiving's April Solberg and Gina Krueger, where they will join ACC staff and the AVS QA staff.
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Our BEST Employees for the month of November, and winning $150, are ... Allison Cuddihy from direct support and Kim Jensen from management! Congratulations and thanks for bringing your BEST!
Nominees for the month of NOVEMBER were:
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Demetrius Banks
Kristen Dusek
Avery Erb
Jenn Faught
Juan Gordillo
Jennica Guy
Abby Hamilton
Tony Nayes
Emily Ronning
Deb Seibel
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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It's your last chance to win a gas card in 2023!
** REPLY to this email and tell me one thing you feel proud to have accomplished at Aurora this year! We will share responses on our Facebook page! **
Winner's name drawn randomly and announced on Dec. 29.
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Slips, trips and falls is the number one cause of work-related injuries (and the most costly!) company wide. The leading cause of a slip, trip and fall is snow and ice.
What areas should you be concerned about? ALL walking surfaces. Anywhere a person’s foot touches the ground is a potential hazard area. Common slip hazards are snow are ice around parked cars, ice/snow on walking surfaces and ice from roof overhangs. With winter storms and frigid temperatures, slippery surfaces are inevitable.
Let’s be prepared by:
- Keeping walkways (and steps) as clear as possible; shovel snow right away, and scrape any ice as soon as it forms.
- Spread salt/sand immediately on any slippery surface. Be extra mindful of areas where the sun will melt snow and ice during the day and re-freeze at night.
- Use your salt and sand shaker!! Spread over slippery spots that are unavoidable. If you don’t have a salt/sand shaker, please contact your area office.
- Walk like a penguin—take short, slow, shuffling steps. Keep hands out of pockets.
- Wear the right footwear for the weather.
- Pay attention to where you are walking and eliminate distractions.
- And as always, Stop And Focus Entirely!
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Congratulations to Joshua Jumbeck from 059 in Stevens Point and Jazmyn Mobley from 305 in Colorado Springs!
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.
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Welcome Aboard!
Please give our new hires a warm welcome!
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Adam Huber
Aurora Community Services
IT Specialist, Menomonie
Why I applied for the job: I have always loved computers! Building them, fixing them, and everything in between.
What I will bring to the job: Years of experience with working on computers and networks.
My background: I was a supervisor for a production facility for about a year and a half before this. I decided to finish out my computer science degree, so I left that job and here I am!
Family: I have 2 brothers and 3 sisters.
Hobbies/interests: Outside of computers, I love snowboarding, fishing, and traveling.
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Abbey Potter
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Community Living Assistant, River Falls
Why I applied for the job: I want to pursue a career in health care, and this would be a good start.
What I will bring to the job: I am a very empathetic person who loves to care for others. I want to give people the proper care they deserve and need. I not only want to be a caregiver but also a friend.
My background: Menards cashier and stocker, Panda Express kitchen aide.
Family: Mom, dad, brother (Andrew), sister (Allie), Bella (bulldog), Maggie (golden retriever), Walter (Sphynx), Smokey (exotic Persian), Mason (partner), Eliza (daughter).
Hobbies/interests: Minecraft, The Sims, watching TV with my family, sewing, drawing, music, goth scene, concerts, social justice, video game lore.
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Hannah Lemler
Aurora Vocational Services
Employment Specialist, Eau Claire
Why I applied for the job: I love helping people.
What I will bring to the job: Positive attitude and bubbly personality.
My background: Cake decorator, server.
Family: I have a large family, lots of cousins and aunts/uncles.
Hobbies/interests: Crochet, crafting, baking, watching movies, and being outside.
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Jessica Vidal
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Community Living Assistant, Mosinee/Plover
Why I applied for the job: Used to work for the company and missed it.
What I will bring to the job: Good attitude, reliable.
My background: Helping people, health care, certified EMT.
Family: Four kids: Gage, 23; Desi, 20; Anna, 18; April, 17. Boyfriend, Nick. Cat and dog.
Hobbies/interests: Crafts, reading, hiking, working out.
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Kendra Forseth
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Community Living Assistant Transport, Waupaca 118
Why I applied for the job: My previous coworker and friend, Olivia Stevens, told me she needed help at this location, and I'm able to work my current job around this schedule to help the house and consumers. I also worked here in the past and care about the consumers here.
What I will bring to the job: With past experience, I will be fast to train and able to start immediately, which I feel will benefit the consumers.
My background: My dad suffered from epilepsy my whole life and had a stroke when I was 7. I devoted my life to helping my dad, and he recovered better than expected with all my help. When I lost him in 2017, I got into health care and have a true passion for making people happy and helping them.
Family: I have two biological kids: Carson, 13, and Aubree, 11. And my boyfriend of 9 years has three kids: Clayton, 20; Ryker, 18; and Parker, 16. And we have three chihuahuas: Django, 8-1/2; Roscoe, 5; and Remmy, 7.
Hobbies/interests: Spending time with friends, kayaking, outings with kids, watching kids' sports, drawing, painting, listening to music, camping, visiting waterfalls, adventures to Michigan, hiking.
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Leah Butterfield
Aurora Residential Alternatives
Community Living Assistant, Plover
Why I applied for the job: I enjoy working with people as a caregiver.
What I will bring to the job: I'm patient and a team player.
My background: I've been a caregiver for a number of years, but I am also a musician. I play piano and woodwinds.
Family: My family lives up north.
Hobbies/interests: I enjoy playing music in my spare time.
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We Have the BEST Staff
During the month of DECEMBER, we are celebrating these anniversaries!
Aurora Management
Don Andresen (31 years), Anna Holloway (2 years), Candy Kapperman-Wolf (21 years), Nikki Coss (21 years), Gracie Hurst (2 years), LuAnn Esko (6 years), Marisa Lammer (11 years), and Erik Olson (7 years).
Aurora Direct Care Staff
Austin Walls (6 years), Brooke Oelke (2 years), Jennifer Snow-Best (1 year), Janet Baker (5 years), Devin Lehman (1 year), Sherri Pierce (27 years), Mitchell Bundy (1 year), Joel Bosse (15 years), Deborah Gentz (9 years), Amanda Lunde (1 year), Demetrius Banks (5 years), Robert Neary (2 years), Kassidy Earhart (1 year), Nichole Griffin (1 year), Mirayra Rau (4 years), Allyssa Fulkerson (1 year), Heather Hooks (5 years), Samantha King (7 years), Lasonja Stephens (1 year), and Sherry Hagen (1 year).
When we combine all of these years of service,
we get 197 YEARS of experience at Aurora!
Thank you for sharing your time and talents with us!
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