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disabilities (Harvey
HAV-IT champions people with disabilities
By ANDREA JOHNSON
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Staff Writer ajohnson@minotdailynews.com or over 40 years, Harvey Area Vocational Instructional Training (HAVIT) Services has been helping people with developmental disabilities in the Harvey community live full lives including work, full social lives, and residential services.
“HAV-IT is one of the smallest (developmental disability) providers in North Dakota and in a rural area has its challenges,” said Tim Huseth, who has been working with the organization since 1981. “I believe the success of our program is from our dedicated employees and support from the Harvey area community. With those factors in place the people we support can truly be part of their community.”
In 2021, HAV-IT served 29 people with disabilities, according to Huseth. It is one of about 25 to 30 non-profit organizations in North Dakota that offer services to adults with developmental disabilities. Some other organizations in the community include Kalix in Minot and 4th Corporation in New Rockford.
Those who are served might receive residential supports, which might include services provided to those living in group homes, at home with their families, or on their own in apartments. The services they require vary depending on the individual client.
Some clients might attend a day program with structured activities such as art, hobbies, education, sports, outdoor activities, travel, or participation in different community events.
Other clients are employed at different businesses. Job coaches work with businesses to support employees who have developmental disabilities. Those who work with people with developmental disabilities are trained and certified to work with this population and must be patient and compassionate and be good at working with people.
Huseth said HAV-IT got its start in 1980, when a group of people got together at the Lonetree Special Education Office to discuss starting a program for adults with disabilities
in the Harvey area. A few weeks later, in November 1980, a thrift store opened on Nov. 17, 1980 to offer “real work” opportunities for people with disabilities and to provide funds for the program. Volunteers were scheduled to help clean, sort and sell items that were donated by the public. That thrift store operated until the late 1980s. Harvey community live full lives including In 1981, HAV-IT Adult Services was incorporated with the state as a not-for-profit organization that provides training opportunities and support services to people with developmental disabilities. The organization grew by leaps and bounds over the next few years. By September 1983, the first group home in Harvey was built for people with disabilities. In January 1986 a second group home for elderly people with developmental disabilities was completed, said Huseth. The nonprofit organization also expanded its program to offer individualized residential support services in local apartment units throughout the community.
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