Summer Barbeque at Bonner Park About 150 people with disabilities, our friends and family joined us on a Wednesday night to share in a potluck, catch up on each other’s news, play games and listen to the Missoula Community Band.
National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) Lorna and Jude participated in the NCIL conference with people with disabilities, staff and board from other centers for independent living across the states.
Fact: Did you know that there are over 400 centers for independent living in the United States?
Montana Youth Leadership Forum (MYLF) Mike Beers, Mary Olson and Cara Wherley were co-leaders in the MYLF in Helena this summer. Fact: Did you know that high school juniors and seniors with disabilities gather in many states for leadership training?
Missoula Summer School Darren Larson, Cara Wherley, Justyn Field and Jude Monson facilitated a four session class at Big Sky High School for about 15 students with disabilities.
Montana Independent Living Symposium Two-hundred Montanans with disabilities gathered in Helena to discuss the important and common concerns of people with disabilities in our state.
Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living APRIL’s Peer to Peer program has been co-developed by Mike Beers, Mary Olson and other national youth leaders. Mike and Mary were in Portland in September to assist a Center for Independent Living with developing their youth program.
Montana Association for Rehabilitation Conference The Rehabilitation conference at Fairmont Hotsprings was attended by 100 vocational professionals from around the state. Travis Hoffman received the President’s Award for his work in the development, education, advocacy and lobbying for the Medicaid Workers with Disabilities (MWD) program. Justyn Field ran a booth on MWD. Working and Aging with a disability was co-presented by Jude Monson, Colleen Baldwin of Missoula Aging Services and Scott Birkenbuel from the Montana Independent Living Project.
National Comedian Mike Beers spent a week in Las Vegas for the Comedy Week Gathering. He made new connections and will be traveling to a venue near you as well as locales far, far away!
Fall and Winter Events
Missoula Valley People First/ AKtion Club continues to meet on Wednesdays at 4:00. Join Andrea Dahl, Connie Lewis and members to hear more about their activities. They have a fundraiser through Herbergers to sell coupons for $5.00 for purchase on November 11 & 12.
Class for Young Adults Mary Olson, Leanne Beers, Steve Beers, Mike Beers, Cara Wherley and Jude Monson will be starting a class for people with disabilities ages 18-25 who want to learn and practice social and safety skills in the community. Call Mary or Kathy to sign up for this class.
Halloween Party
When: Friday, October 28
3:00-6:00 p.m.
Where: 700 SW Higgins
What: Costume Party and lots of spooky and thrilling times
Jude Monson, Program Manager
