Having trouble viewing The Loop? Click here to view as a webpage.

Aurora Value Words



• Resilient • Integrity • Courageous

• Compassion • Loyal • Passionate • Responsive

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.

Reminder! Our Aurora Apparel store is open, with nearly 130 different articles of clothing or accessories are available for you to purchase at your leisure. Rock a beanie or polo, dress for the office or in the homes, grab summer gear and gear up for winter again. With brand names like Nike, Eddie Bauer, Carhartt and more, and sizes from S to 4XL, you're sure to find something you love!

Continuing the thank-yous from Employee Appreciation Month, Aurora is giving you FREE SHIPPING until June 30! Click the button below to head to the Aurora Store! Your shipping will automatically change to free when you go to pay for your products.

You can also visit via this link: https://foxcitiesembroidery.chipply.com/auroracommunityservices/

Are you or your coworkers undertaking any special projects or initiatives such as organizing an event, visual arts or theater performances, missionary trips, or Special Olympics or sporting events? Take some memorable photos to share. Let's showcase Aurora's creativity and passion!

**Be mindful of obtaining proper consent from consumers and guardians.

Email us your pics at LifeofAurora@AuroraServices.com.

Our BEST Employees for the month of May are Amanda Lunde from direct support and Jocelyn Holder from management!

Each winning employee will receive $150! Congratulations and thanks for bringing your 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!

Remember to send your nominations to BESTEmployees@AuroraServices.com.

Once nominated, employees will remain eligible for the bonus drawing throughout the year.

We have Safety Winners for the months of April and May!

Congratulations to Rosezanna Pratt from New Richmond, Charlton Jordan from 301 in Colorado, Bethany Cerutti from Menomonie, and Brian Wojtalewicz from 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.

June is National Safety Month!

The National Safety Council focuses on four areas of safety during the month of June. Below are some tips for creating a safe environment whether you are at work, home or out and about.

Emergency Preparedness

• Develop an emergency plan
• Stay informed – regularly monitor local news, weather reports, and emergency alerts.
• Practice emergency drills
• Engage with Community Resources

Slips, Trips and Falls

• Watch where you are going. Distracted walking is on the rise for people of all ages
• Use non-skid mats or appliqués in the bath and shower
• Install grab bars
• Provide adequate lighting in every room and stairway
• Clear the floor – remove clutter, small furniture, pet gear, electrical cords, etc.
• Keep often used items accessible to avoid having to use a step stool or ladder
• Keep entryways free of clutter – use non skid rugs
• Wipe up any spills immediately

Stay Safe in the Heat

• Limit exposure outdoors during hot days
• Air conditioning is the best way to cool off
• Drink fluids, even if you don’t feel thirsty, and avoid alcohol
• Wear loose, lightweight clothing and a hat
• Replace salt lost from sweating by drinking a sports drink
• Avoid spending time outdoors during the hottest part of the day, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Wear sunscreen; sunburn affects the body’s ability to cool itself
• Pace yourself when you run or otherwise exert your body
• Eat light meals

Hazard Recognition

• Watch out for hazards you can’t see – not all hazards are obvious or visible
• Prioritize your mental healthy by maintaining healthy routines and reaching out to others when needed
• Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep each day
• Avoid repetitive motions that can cause your body pain
• Use the 20-20-20 rule for screen time – for every 20 minutes looking at a screen, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds
• Avoid sitting for long periods of time – get up and move, stretch, look out a window
• Stay safe on the roads – obey the speed limit, wear seatbelts, do not talk on cell phones
• Take safety with you – wherever you are, consider the hazards unique to the location

S.A.F.E = Stop And Focus Entirely!!

June is Great Outdoors Month! Our National Parks celebrate some free days in the month of June – and if you can’t get there in person, try a virtual visit!

Also, get outdoors! The snow is (hopefully) behind us and great warm summer days are in store! Consider outdoor parks, concerts, farmer’s markets, festivals, fairs – but don’t forget the backyard barbecue, cornhole, pickleball, gardening and other great outdoor experiences!

Get some fresh air (after allergies and smoke) and your vitamin D. Let’s Get Outdoors! Send your photos to LifeofAurora@AuroraServices.com.

Boost Your Sense of Belonging

From Mayo Health System:

Is having a sense of belonging important?

Having a sense of belonging is so important, considering the groups and labels we give ourselves and others. We are members of families, sporting teams, hobbyists, spiritual groups, charities, political parties, cities, countries and nationalities, to name a few. Nearly every aspect of our lives is organized around belonging to something.

The sense of belonging is fundamental to the way humankind organizes itself. If it was unimportant, we would live solitary lives only coming together for procreation then quickly kicking the children out of our lives as soon as they could walk. We would have no families, communities or organized government.

We cannot separate the importance of a sense of belonging from our physical and mental health. The social ties that accompany a sense of belonging are a protective factor helping manage stress and other behavioral issues. When we feel we have support and are not alone, we are more resilient, often coping more effectively with difficult times in our lives. Coping well with hardships decreases the physical and mental effects of these situations.

We begin life with the most crucial of needs — attachment to a caregiver. This is the beginning of our fundamental need for belonging. Studies have shown that children who have not achieved a healthy attachment in their young life have lower self-esteem, a more negative worldview, are mistrustful and can have a perception of rejection.

Depression, anxiety and suicide are common mental health conditions associated with lacking a sense of belonging. These conditions can lead to social behaviors that interfere with a person’s ability to connect to others, creating a cycle of events that further weakens a sense of belonging.

Gratefully, we do have control in making changes in our lives to break this cycle and bolster our sense of belonging.

Boost your sense of belonging

So what can you do to increase the sense of belonging in your children and yourself?

• Make an effort. The most crucial ingredient to building a sense of belonging is effort. You cannot belong if you don't choose to make the effort to engage with others. It may feel uncomfortable at first to meet new people, but give it time, as you may need to practice self-talk. Soon the actions will become second nature. Behavioral activation and opposite action are effective strategies for getting yourself to put in the effort. Action often is needed to feel motivated.
• Be mindful of others. Think less about yourself while with others and make the other person or the group your focus. Making conversation is critical to increasing your sense of belonging. It is important to mutually ask questions, make small talk, self-disclose skillfully and listen to people's responses.
• Keep and teach an open mind. Try new activities and meet new people. Consider new ways of thinking. Lead by example so your children can see how it works. Put in effort to seek activities and groups of people who you share common interests with. You may need to make it happen to start. Encourage and support your children to get involved.
• Practice an attitude of acceptance. Recognize that others have different ways of being, which don't have to change you. Focus on similarities rather than differences. Similarities tend to increase bonding. If you feel that people are not like you, focus on a mutual goal, such as a volunteer opportunity. Teach children to validate the feelings of others.
• Validate action. If creating a sense of belonging is challenging for you, remember it is likely challenging for your child, as well. Give them the encouragement you would give yourself. Validate them, just like you need to validate your own action. Remind children and yourself that it can feel discouraging at times and it will get better by continuing to put in the work.

Customize Your

Self-Care Plan

Self-care is a process of establishing behaviors to promote our physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional health. It is important because it helps re-establish balance and avoid burnout.  Self-care is vital for building resilience toward life’s stressors that we can’t eliminate. However, many of us view self-care as a luxury rather than a priority and consequently, we’re left feeling overwhelmed, tired, and ill-equipped to handle life’s inevitable challenges. 

According to Elizabeth Scott, MD, there are five types of self-care for every area of our life.

1.     Physical self-care includes fueling our body, getting enough sleep, doing enough physical activity, and caring for our physical needs. Attending healthcare appointments, taking medication as prescribed, and managing our health are all part of good physical self-care. We need to take care of our bodies if we want them to run efficiently. There is a strong connection between our body and our mind. When we care for our bodies, we will think and feel better.

2.     Social self-care is important for our well-being. Socialization is key, but, it’s hard to make time for friends, and it can be easy to neglect relationships when life gets busy. The key is to figure out what your social needs are and to build enough time in your schedule to create an optimal social life.

3.     Mental self-care includes doing things that keep your mind sharp, like puzzles or learning about a subject that fascinates you. Reading books or watching inspiring movies might fuel your mind. Mental self-care also involves doing things that help you stay mentally healthy. Practicing self-compassion and acceptance helps you maintain a healthier inner dialogue. The way we think and the things that we are filling our minds with greatly influence our psychological well-being.

4.     Spiritual self-care doesn’t necessarily have to involve religion. It can involve anything that helps you develop a deeper sense of meaning, understanding, or connection with the universe. Whether you enjoy meditation, attending a religious service, or praying, spiritual self-care is essential.

5.     Emotional self-care is having healthy coping skills to deal with uncomfortable emotions, like anger, anxiety, and sadness. Emotional self-care may include activities that help us acknowledge and express our feelings regularly and safely. Whether you talk to your partner or a close friend about how you feel, or you set aside time for leisure activities that help you process your emotions, it’s important to incorporate emotional self-care into your life.

Self-care has been shown to have a number of important health benefits. These include reducing anxiety and depression, reducing stress and improving resilience, improving happiness, increasing energy, reducing burnout and having stronger interpersonal relationships.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), self-care is important because it can help promote health, prevent disease, and help people better cope with illness.  Specific forms of self-care have also been linked to different health and wellness benefits, including a longer life. Exercise, finding a sense of purpose in life, and sleep have all been connected to an increased lifespan.

Self-care isn’t a one-size-fits-all strategy. Your self-care plan will need to be customized to your needs and what is currently going on in your life. The goal is to take steps each day to make sure you are getting what you need to deal with the stress and challenges you face in your daily life.

Pete Johnson

Aurora Residential Alternatives

Program Director, Menomonie

Why I applied for the job: Missed working for Aurora.

What I will bring to the job: Dedication to staff and consumers.

My background: Worked for Aurora as a direct care staff, program manager, and program director.

Family: Married with 3 daughters: Mya, 15, Emma, 12, and Everly, 4.

Hobbies/interests: Camping, cooking, watching my girls play sports.

Carissa Bach

Aurora Residential Alternatives

Program Assistant, Eau Claire Day Center

Why I applied for the job: I worked for 10 years for seniors and enjoyed the clients I worked with.

What I will bring to the job: Compassion and getting to know the people.

My background: Worked for Safe at Home Senior Care for 9-1/2 years, worked for Stable Living for 3 months.

Family: I live with my mom. I have a cockatiel and a 10-year-old Belgian Malinois.

Hobbies/interests: I enjoy bike riding, going to church, horseback riding, going for walks with my dog and mom.

Hannah Hause

Aurora Vocational Services

Employment Specialist, Eau Claire

Why I applied for the job: To assist my client with her daily work tasks.

What I will bring to the job: A positive attitude, strong work ethic, an understanding and empathetic view.

My background: Senior at UW-Superior, provide families with respite care.

Family: Mom, dad, two brothers.

Hobbies/interests: Basketball (I play at UWS), fishing, spending time with family.

Caleb Cady

Aurora Residential Alternatives

Community Living Assistant, New Richmond

Why I applied for the job: I love this work. I love caring for people that need help.

What I will bring to the job: Water/food and a good mindset.

My background: Have been working as a DSP for 5 years, started when I was in high school. Most everybody in my family was working a DSP field.

Hobbies/interests: Love hiking, adventures, swimming, gaming.

Jennifer Roder

Aurora Vocational Services

IPS Vocational Coordinator, Chippewa Falls

Why I applied for the job: I applied for this position because I felt I could make a difference in the lives of individuals who struggle with challenges that most in general society don't understand.

What I will bring to the job: I will bring knowledge from a diverse background of trainings, life experience, and job experience.

My background: A teacher of 24 years, I am leaving teaching to serve the community in a different way.

Family: A husband and 2 children.

Hobbies/interests: I love being on the water, swimming, reading, and gardening.

Jamey Hamilton

Aurora Vocational Services

Quality Assurance Specialist, Chippewa Falls

Why I applied for the job: I think I would be a good fit for this position.

What I will bring to the job: Attention to detail.

My background: Business owner, processor, supervisor.

Family: My wife Sarah, my son Kenneth, my son Tony.

Hobbies/interests: Motorcycle, boating.

Peyton Seiler

Aurora Residential Alternatives

Community Living Assistant, La Crosse

Why I applied for the job: To connect with the community, flexible hours.

What I will bring to the job: Growth and development when taking care of the clients.

My background: Factory work/landscaping, sports and history (major).

Family: Adoptive family: 2 siblings (brother, sister).

Hobbies/interests: Hanging out with friends, reading.

Heather Thiel

Aurora Residential Alternatives

Community Living Assistant, Plover

Why I applied for the job: Because I care about people and enjoy helping them!

What I will bring to the job: A positive attitude!

My background: Currently also drive for Uber.

Family: I have 2 adult children, a 21-year-old son and an d18-year-old daughter. Both still live with me, but my daughter is about to move out.

Hobbies/interests: I enjoy movies, karaoke, walks, swimming, and boating.

Frederick Robinson

Aurora Residential Alternatives

Community Living Assistant, Weston

Why I applied for the job: Like helping others, want to impact the lives of people with care.

What I will bring to the job: Reliability, teamwork.

Hobbies/interests: Movies, DIY projects, music.

Donna Kiefer

Aurora Residential Alternatives

Community Living Assistant, Stevens Point

Why I applied for the job: I have always liked to help people and been trying to do more things I enjoy and decided that this would be a good job for me.

What I will bring to the job: I'm hardworking, love to laugh, and enjoy being there for people.

My background: I have mainly worked in restaurants, some hotel and retail. I recently did factory work. I like to fix things, work on cars, summer outside activities.

Family: I have 3 kids and their dad I've very close to.

Hobbies/interests: Working on cars, fixing stuff, outside summer hobbies, fishing, swimming.

Curtis Martin III

Aurora Residential Alternatives

Community Living Assistant, Stevens Point

Why I applied for the job: Erica Mortenson, love caring for others, need money!

What I will bring to the job: Respect for others, happy vibes, time.

My background: CNA, serving.

Family: Erica, Bri 'Asia, Milani, Alayah, Amiri, Fiona, Ruby.

Hobbies/interests: Basketball, long walks, fishing, video games.

Olivia Stevenson

Aurora Residential Alternatives

Community Living Assistant, La Crosse

Why I applied for the job: I want to help people live a better life/make a difference in someone's life.

What I will bring to the job: I am a hard worker who adapts well and can work under pressure/stress.

My background: I used to volunteer frequently at a local nursing home and plan activities with and for the residents.

Family: I have 3 cats, 2 brothers, and 1 sister.

Hobbies/interests: I enjoy going to the gym and lifting weights as well as playing soccer.

Nathan Carlsen

Aurora Community Counseling

Substance Abuse Counselor, Chippewa Falls

Why I applied for the job: I was formerly employed at LE Phillips Treatment Center and when it closed, I heard good things about Aurora.

What I will bring to the job: I've been told I have a good sense of humor and an easy going style. I enjoy helping people, seeing their lives change for the better, and working with a good team of coworkers.

My background: I worked in IT for several years and finally made a big life decision to go back to school and pursue addiction counseling.

Family: I am the very proud owner of my cat, creatively named Kitty.

Hobbies/interests: I enjoy photography and hiking, running, exploring, online gaming with friends, tea and coffee with friends, and movies.

Jahlil Mack

Aurora Residential Alternatives

Community Living Assistant, La Crosse

Why I applied for the job: I really enjoy helping and advocating for those who can't do it on their own or not the best.

What I will bring to the job: I will bring a smile every day I come into work. Also with a great mood so I'd be able to lift others up so they'll have a better day.

My background: Chileda, La Crosse County JDC, Able.

Family: I am a twin brother, also have 8 other brothers.

Hobbies/interests: Running, swimming, football.

We Have the BEST Staff

During the month of JUNE, we are celebrating these anniversaries!

Aurora Management

Rebecca Dennis (3 years), Linda Aton (32 years),

Hannah Abbiehl (2 years), Amanda Rageth (15 years), April Solberg (8 years), Angela Mandera (17 years), James Showalter (6 years), Catherine Krueger (1 year), Daniel Azarshin (2 years), Destiny Richardson (1 year), Cyndi Johnson (23 years), Andrea Olson (20 years), Justin Boiteau (18 years), Orlando Simon (14 years), and Melaine Lepak (11 years).

Aurora Direct Care Staff

Linda Liebzeit (24 years), Sherry Lew (5 years), Vincent Gisacho (8 years), Michael Genske (1 year), Jami Sonnenberg (2 years), Justin Judkins (1 year), Amy Beatty (2 years), Dianna Raspiller (4 years), Amanda Tomaszewski (8 years), Caleb Brison (11 years), Duncan Crosby

(4 years), Charlton Jordan (1 year), Danna Scharnke (1 year), Savannah Ducommun (1 year), and Jacqueline Kufahl (20 years).

When we combine all of these years of service,

we get 266 YEARS of experience at Aurora!

Thank you for sharing your time and talents with us!