News & Events
See what’s happening at Extraordinary Ventures.
Extraordinary Ventures
200 S. Elliott Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
info@extraordinaryventures.org
Extraordinary Ventures is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
EIN: 11-3808390.
Events
Events
Support the 2023 – 2024 Annual Fund
In 2023, Extraordinary Ventures celebrated the creation of eleven new jobs, each of which is truly life-changing for our employees. This is great, but it falls far short of meeting the acute need in our community for meaningful employment opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities like Autism.
Because we have an exceptional employee retention rate, we must continue to grow our businesses to hire new people. This is where you can help!
Please consider making a generous tax-deductible investment in Extraordinary Ventures by donating to our Annual Fund.
Your support will allow us to tell more great employees, “You are hired!”
News
Hometown Hero: Executive Director Lisa Kaylie
January 29, 2024 – This week’s Chapelboro Hometown Hero, presented by Hendrick Southpoint, is Extraordinary Ventures Executive Director Lisa Kaylie!
“Kaylie’s work as a volunteer, education, mentor and voice everywhere from Extraordinary Ventures to local schools has made her an invaluable resource to our community.”
Disability Employment Awareness Month: “Talking Books” with Lisa Kaylie
Executive Director Lisa Kaylie joined 97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck on “Talking Books” on October 18, 2023 to promote October as Disability Employment Awareness Month, the work of Extraordinary Ventures, and the benefits of employing adults with I/DD. Ms. Kaylie’s book recommendation was “The Power of Potential,” about how hiring a non-traditional workforce benefits businesses.
Blue Hill Event Center at Extraordinary Ventures Voted Best Event Space in Chapel Hill
Blue Hill Event Center at Extraordinary Ventures has been voted the Best Event Space in Chapel Hill in July 2023! Blue Hill was chosen as a readers’ favorite in the 12th annual Chapel Hill Magazine “Best of” competition. Discover why our premium flexible event space is the best place in Chapel Hill to host your next event.
Extraordinary Ventures Honored as Community Impact Award Finalist
Extraordinary Ventures was honored as a Community Impact Award Finalist in the 2023 Business Excellence Awards by The Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro on June 16, 2023. Executive Director Lisa Kaylie and longtime employee Amanda had a great time representing Extraordinary Ventures at the awards and sharing our mission.
On Air Today: ‘The Buzz at Blue Hill’ with Lisa Kaylie
Executive Director Lisa Kaylie was interviewed by Aaron Keck of 97.9 The Hill WCHL on May 10, 2023. The discussion ranged from Blue Hill Event Center, why adults with I/DD make such great employees, to the latest on all the ventures at Extraordinary Ventures.
Spring 2023 Newsletter
Over 50 Extraordinary Ventures employees, staff, and board of directors members came together on April 11, 2023 for a great appreciation lunch at Blue Hill Event Center. Extraordinary Office Solutions was featured in the venture spotlight; they recently installed a state-of-the-art bulk mailing machine that dramatically increased their capacity to take on new jobs.
Orange Slices Feature: “Helping Autistic & Developmentally Disabled Young Adults Thrive in Chapel Hill”
Visit Chapel Hill recently wrote a feature about Extraordinary Ventures in “Orange Slices” describing our mission and small businesses: “Extraordinary Ventures is located in Chapel Hill and is best known for its public facing event center on Elliott Road, across from Whole Foods. What people don’t realize is that Extraordinary Ventures is an umbrella organization that operates many businesses that employ a neurodiverse workforce.”
Happy Holidays from Extraordinary Ventures!
The employee holiday party on December 16, 2022 was a lot of fun. Our employees have told us that getting together for parties is one of their favorite ways to be appreciated. Thanks to our generous donors who make these events possible!
Fall 2022 Newsletter
As we continue to celebrate our 15th anniversary this year, we’d like to give a heartfelt thanks to our dedicated employees, community partners, and loyal supporters who make what we do at Extraordinary Ventures possible.
Extraordinary Ventures Hosts Inclusive Employment Summit
Attendees included over 120 local employers, entrepreneurs, self-advocates, service providers, and family members.
Summer 2022 Newsletter
It has been a busy summer so far at Extraordinary Ventures! See the latest news and get a sneak preview of what’s coming up this fall.
Extraordinary Ventures Showcased on PORCH Blog
PORCH Chapel Hill-Carrboro, a small grassroots hunger relief organization, rents the Event Center at Extraordinary Ventures every month to process food donations to distribute to local families, pantries, and schools. This month, Extraordinary Ventures was featured as a community partner on their blog.
Spring 2022 Newsletter
Celebrating 15 Years! Catch up on all the good news, including an employee appreciation luncheon.
Daily Tar Heel Feature: “Full of ideas and passion”
Extraordinary Ventures, a company with the goal of creating businesses employed by a neurodiverse workforce, hired Lisa Kaylie as their new executive director on March 1.
Hometown Hero: Kwame Alston!
This week’s Chapelboro Hometown Hero, presented by Hendrick Southpoint, is Kwame Alston from Extraordinary Ventures.
Chapelboro Feature
Made in NC: Extraordinary Ventures Gifts: Giving The Gift of Opportunity – Chapelboro feature about Extraordinary Gifts, which offers soy candles, bath, and body products, all crafted by adults with developmental disabilities in Chapel Hill.
