This winter Summit facilitated three classes in our conference room. Living Well with a Disability led by Andrea Dahl and Darren Larson, Working Well with a Disability led by Darren Larson and Jude Monson, and a communication class called Mind over Mood led by Leanne Beers. If you are interested in taking classes at Summit this summer or next fall call Jude or Kathy at 728-1630 to find out more about upcoming classes.
April is national volunteer month and we want to mention some people who are important to us. Summit’s Missoula office has the pleasure of working with Senior Companions Rose Blick, Karen Bollinger, Eva Warthem, John Weig and Betty Zander who meet with 30 elders who live in our community. Peer Advocate Bill Vinner made creative posters for all the events we have hosted or participated in this winter. Student Interns Erin Giefer assists Travis Hoffman with the 2011 legislative session and Rebecca Pettit has worked with Mike Mayer to develop some fundraising options. Former journalism student Justyn Field has recently been hired as the communication/media specialist for the Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities education campaign. Leanne Beers, one of Summit’s board members, has facilitated a couple of communication classes. Thank you to all of you who keep the spirit of the disability and independent living movement strong!
Our April Spring into Motion social event was a great way to learn more fun ways to exercise and be fit. Thank you to Mary Olson and her team for organizing this event. Check out our website calendar for the summer social event activities or better yet call Mary at 728-1630 and ask how you could help her this summer. Mary and the Peer Advocates have also been working on advocating for legislative issues, nursing home transition, Every Woman Matters poster education and school panel presentations.
Starting in May, Susan Morris will be ready to offer the Safer and Stronger Program for women we mentioned in our January newsletter. Contact her at 728-1630 if you are interested in hearing more about this project.
Mike Beers and Darren are active in the Missoula Youth Forum and Darren is a representative member of the Missoula Youth Development Network Oversight Committee. Mike and Mary also continued to offer Building Advocacy and Learning Leadership Skills (BALLS) in Missoula high schools over the winter. They can also offer a 1-hour history of disability and culture training to a 6 hour LEAD ON workshop. Call them if you are interested!
