Dick Heidt - City Magazine

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| CITY MAGAZINE & KFYR Salutes HIT, Inc. One of the non-profits in the Bismarck-Mandan area that has earned a golden reputation for serving By Tom Regan “ Caring for somebody is where it's at for me... no matter how big or small a step you help someone accomplish, it's so rewarding. ” Gross, the assistant manager of HIT’s group home on Apollo Avenue in Bismarck, a facility geared for younger clients where HIT staff is on-site people with disabilities is HIT, Inc. Now in its 30 12 thecitymag.com th 24/7. Seven residents, ages 13-23, live at the home. year, HIT’s overriding Gross, a wife and mother philosophy is to surround of four grown children, has clients and their families worked at the Apollo loca- with services that, first and tion for 21 years. She started foremost, promote indepen- with HIT as a direct support dence, dignity and respect professional and advanced for the individual. into a management position. With the goal of helping She anticipates spending her people with disabilities live as independently as entire career at the Apollo home. “I could have their abilities will allow, HIT integrates clients transferred to other departments within HIT, or into the fabric of the community as much as to other group homes, but this is where I want possible. To that end, HIT and its approximately to be,” says the 55 year old. 400 employees operate a number of residential Gross especially enjoys the family atmo- services, as well as vocational and pre-vocationsphere that pervades the home. “I have my famal training programs. ily at home, and I have my family here,” she says. HIT also sees to it that clients participate in Michele Ehlis, 47, another long-term em- the full array ployee (15 of recreational years) and and cultural also a wife opportunities and mother, in the com- is part of the munity. HIT team “We go that provides shopping, to vocational movies and services at concerts, even its facility to places like at 1402 2 Medora and the State Fair,” says Julia nd Street NW, Mandan.
The programs in place there help individuals, mostly in the mild to moderate range of developmental disability, secure gainful employment. Many of the employees go on to work for HIT’s own “inhouse” businesses, says Ehlis, including West River Produce, their commercial kitchen; West River Production, which handles a variety of assembly, laundry and other contracts; and West River Lawn Services. Similar to Gross, Ehlis has been able to advance her career at HIT. She went from direct support staff, to training supervisor, to manager of the training center. In this role, she and an assistant manager supervise a staff of 16 direct support professionals who serve about 60 clients. Both Ehlis and Gross point to employee training opportunities, congenial work envi- HIT Programs Group Living Programs Individualized Supported Living Arrangement (ISLA) Program Family Support Services Supported Living Arrangement Day Support Program (Vocational, Life Skills, Senior) Dakota Alpha, Dakota Pointe and Transitional Brain Injury Program Employment Services Region VII Transition Program West River Head Start KIDS Program ronments, flexible work schedules and good pay and benefits as additional reasons they’ve stayed with HIT. But most of all, they cite the personal satisfaction derived from helping others as the number one reason they enjoy their jobs. “Caring for somebody is where it’s at for me,” says Gross. “No matter how big or small a step you help someone accomplish, it’s so rewarding.” For Ehlis, working with people with disabilities has added perspective to her life. “When I look at the challenges they face, my own few aches and pains are no big deal.” For more information, visit HIT’s website at www.hitinc.org. April 2009 13
Page 1 and 2: APRIL 2009 BISMARCK • MANDAN DICK
Page 3 and 4: Publisher’s note Is it Black or W
Page 5 and 6: ECLIPSE by Richard North Patterson
Page 7 and 8: What drew you CM: to journalism and
Page 9 and 10: Cole Twister Bob It's my night to v
Page 11: At United Printing, our dedication
Page 15 and 16: SHANNALEE is the kind of place you
Page 17 and 18: Why isn't the number 11 pronounced
Page 19 and 20: learning more about food,” said S
Page 21 and 22: | MANDAN ON THE Move Working to dec
Page 23 and 24: As I approached the far right lane,
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Page 27 and 28: Mary’s, Community Bowl, 6 p.m.; B
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Page 31 and 32: directed short plays in an intimate
Page 33 and 34: Bismarck for male inmates considere
Page 35 and 36: I think that service is a big part
Page 37 and 38: the state. Likely many other stockh
Page 39 and 40: Inside/Out Wellness Center: ALTERnA
Page 41 and 42: “ I want to teach my customers ho
Page 43 and 44: The e-bug bit hard and, in 1997, sh
Page 45 and 46: Spring PARADE OF HOMES Twice each y
Page 47 and 48: Plastics are classified by a “res
Page 49 and 50: summer arrives. Although we know wh
Page 51 and 52: Photo taken from aquaglide.net one
Page 53 and 54: SALSA DOGS Ingredients 8 Cloverdale
Page 55 and 56: tant to me than ever,” says Ander
Page 57 and 58: need to be cleaned thoroughly; the
Page 59 and 60: Photo provided by Impressions by As
Page 61 and 62: The Jungle Bus From Nightlife Limou
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Dick Heidt - City Magazine

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