Among Other Things: MME compiles a good record
By Paul Fugleberg
Since its founding in 1975 Mission Mountain Enterprises (MME) has come a long way in providing care, housing, living and learning experiences, and employment opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities.
Chief Executive Officer Graydon D. (Brodie) Moll outlined the mission, development and ongoing status of the non-profit organization at the March 3 breakfast meeting of the Polson Presbyterian Church Men’s Club.
He defined a developmental disability as a condition attributable to mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, or any other neurologically handicapped condition closely related to mental retardation, which can be expected to continue indefinitely, and constitutes a substantial handicap to the individual.
“MME operates four group homes in Lake County — two in Polson and two in Ronan — that presently serve 30 persons,” Moll said. “The group homes are licensed and inspected by licensing agencies and have 24-hour supervision.” Quality health care and safety are corporate priorities.
“In the supported living program, another 25 persons are served,” Moll said. “Those people live in their own homes or apartments in Polson and Ronan.”
Employment opportunities and on-the-job training are geared to individual skills, needs and assessments. Participants work at supervised MME activity centers in Polson and Ronan, on mobile janitorial crews, and at the MME-sponsored thrift stores — “Nifty-Thrifty” in Polson and Twice but Nice in Ronan.
Among community facilities presently employing janitorial services are the Polson Presbyterian Church, state offices, a law office, and other businesses.
Workers are compensated for work performed, programs are certified by the Dept. of Labor, and transportation is provided, Moll said.
MME assists participants in personal and social services. Involvement in the community is based on identified needs and desires of the person served. Among community life experiences can be leisure/recreation activities, religious and cultural activities, vocational pursuits, educational activities, development of work attitudes and living skills, volunteerism and communication.
Residential services are based on individual preferences, abilities and strengths, needs, life span issues of the person involved. Besides group homes, living options include selection of roommates, apartments and home rental or ownership.
Moll said, “challenges include staff recruitment and retention, and funding.”
There is need for volunteers — particularly seniors who could work up to 20 hours a week or on-call as store helpers, board members, with transportation, helping with special events, community outings, etc. Transportation providers need to have a valid driver’s license and be an insurable driver.
All employees need to pass a background check.
Donations are important: All gifts are tax-deductible. Categories include corporate partnerships: Above and Beyond, $500 and more; self-determination, $401 to $500; independence, $201 to $400; empowerment, $100 to $200; and community support, under $99. Memorial gifts go into an endowment fund.
Individual partnership categories involve medical expenses, community accessibility, transportation, special events and current needs.
Gifts may be sent to Mission Mountain Enterprises, Inc., 330 Main Street SW, Ronan, MT 59864.
For more information on MME check its website www.missionmountainent.org