Congrats to Diana DeCoteau (DSP) for being selected as Employee of the Month for August.  DSP’s expansion of community activities is successful as a direct result of Diana’s creativity, persistence, and infectious enthusiasm.  She develops ideas for activities, creates a fun atmosphere, and follows through to make it happen.  We especially appreciate her commitment to making community activity available to everybody! Thank you, Diana, for displaying the Kalix values:  DEPENDABILITY, ADAPTABILITY, PROFESSIONALISM and TEAMWORK! Congratulations to the other nominees: Julie Brekhus (DSP), Chelsea Fredericksen (1007), Amy Davis (ISLA), Nevada Bellmore (ISLA).  

Congrats to Vickie Allery (Rolla MSLA) for being selected as Employee of the Month for July.  The nomination notes that during a recent emergency situation, Vickie reacted quickly and appropriately, utilizing her training to ensure that everybody was safe. Thank you, Vickie, for displaying the Kalix values:  PROFESSIONALISM, ADAPTABILITY, TEAMWORK and DEPENDABILITY! Congratulations to the other nominees: Diana Decoteau (DSP), Maria Gourneau (1007), and Pamela Bourlon (1109).  STAR Employee of the Quarter Congrats to Rod Martinson (Contract Administrator) for being selected as STAR Employee of the Quarter.  Rod was nominated for his work on two separate projects – both examples of... Read More

Congrats to Tina Warnke (1007) for being selected as Employee of the Month for June.  The nomination notes that Tina regularly advocates for people receiving services, and helps them get the assistance that is needed.  In one instance, Tina provided information and assistance to nursing staff to ensure that appropriate care was provided to a person that had been admitted to the hospital. Thank you, Tina, for displaying the Kalix values: PROFESSIONALISM and DEPENDABILITY! Congratulations to the other nominees: Nancy Pietsch (ISLA), Jay Szichak (1007), Sarah Bergh (DSP), Pamela Sanchez (ISLA), and Jen Whitley (Vocational).

Kalix developed the Finders Keepers program to reward employees for referring family, friends and acquaintances.  Employees can earn up to $475 plus a chance to win a trip to Hawaii for each referral that is hired and stays with the Agency for at least one year.  The annual Hawaiian Day celebration honors all referrals that met the one year requirement within the last twelve months.  This year, the event also included a spectacular salad contest, best dressed contest, and Hawaiian games. Congrats to Thelma Gadue (ICF) for winning the 2014 Hawaii drawing!    

Kalix (formally known as Minot Vocational Workshop) annually celebrates Earth Day by offering specials for those wishing to turn their trash into cash!  Americans buy 28 billion bottles of water annually and 70-80% of those bottles end up in landfills.  The Recycling Center celebrates Earth Day to spread the message about the importance of recycling. This year, Kalix gave Minot residents the opportunity to donate tokens/cash earned from recycling to the school of their choice during the month of April.  Thirteen schools received donations from community members.  Dakota Elementary received the most donated tokens and was presented with a traveling... Read More

Congrats to Celeste Badke (ISLA) for being selected as Employee of the Month for May.  Celeste approaches regular life situations with initiative and hard work.  In one recent example, she planned and made arrangements to handle all the details of a residential move, then put in the effort to make it a positive experience for everybody involved. Thank you, Celeste, for displaying the Kalix values:  PROFESSIONALISM and DEPENDABILITY! Congratulations to the other nominees: Amanda Duke (MSLA), JoAnn Kemaldean (MSLA), Brook Velazquez (1109), and Pamela Sanchez (ISLA), Paula Seabolt (MSLA).

Congrats to Shayne York (ISLA) for being selected as Employee of the Month for April.  Shane possesses two of the most important attributes of a Support Staff:  (1) the ability to figure out how to help a person make progress towards goals and (2) willingness to cheerfully help with meeting program needs. Congratulations to the other nominees: Ben Chapin (DSP), Jo Kelly (1007), Jamie Norris (MSLA), and Margarita Nieskes (MSLA). STAR Employee of the Quarter Congratulations to our STAR Employee of the Quarter, Krista Opstedal, Program Director of Assistive Technology.  Six separate staff submitted nominations describing Krista’s passion, creativity, and... Read More

Congrats to Jesika Martin (DSP) for being selected as Employee of the Month for March. During public meetings conducted for CQL, Jesika was assigned to support a person from DSP. Jesika represented Kalix well both by participating in the small group exercises as a Direct Support Staff, and by providing support to a person receiving services while she made a presentation to the entire stakeholder group. Her demonstration of professionalism and inclusion was a perfect display of Kalix values and services for the CQL evaluators. Jesika says that her favorite things about working at Kalix are helping people and making them... Read More

Kalix raised over $12,000 for our assistive technology program through the Giving Hearts Day program on February 13th.  A variety of promotions assisted the fund-raising efforts: The GHD Disability Awareness Challenge invited local celebrities to attempt completion of a variety of everyday tasks while contending with simulated disabilities Sweet & Flour offered free cupcakes to customers that made a donation Broadway Bean & Bagel made a donation for each sale of a Red Velvet Latte Eight participating local non-profits teamed up to get the word out using signs, Facebook, press releases, an audio clip from Josh Duhamel, and a video... Read More