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‘Soup-er Saturday’ fundraiser set
Kalix will hold its second annual "Soup-er Saturday" fundraiser Oct. 17 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in the All Seasons Arena theater room. The event will feature a soup competition, silent auctions, children’s activities, a 50/50 raffle and Kalix’s signature cookies.
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Kalix is a North Dakota nonprofit dedicated to support those with intellectual disabilities find housing and employment.
The organization, started in the 1960s as a daytime program for children with disabilities, has evolved throughout the years to focusing on those 17 years of age or older
Chris Haseleu, president and CEO of Kalix, said Kalix turned toward serving adults in the 1970s after schools began to become more inclusive. In 2012, the nonprofit’s name was changed to reflect the Latin word for a chalk line, symbolizing its goal of helping its associates achieve their goals.
Haseleu said Kalix has always been a part of helping people find places to live, places to work, and everything in between.
Kalix serves about 250 people across its statewide locations and programs.
Its employment initiatives includes a laundry service open to anyone but recently opened to businesses. The laundry service cleans about 1.4 million pounds of laundry each year. It is mainly used by large businesses including hotels and medical centers.
Through Kalix’s baking program, associates bake cookies for businesses.
Many associates also volunteer in the communities. Some keep a job coach with them while volunteering and others are completely independent.
Kalix's main service is vocational rehab, including residential living, day programming and employment.
To help associates with their employment, Kalix has job coaches. Haseleu described the job coaches as specialists who help employers figure out their employees’ needs and tailor the job to the person.
Kalix operates through Medicaid, state reimbursements, and home and community-based services waivers.