Summit celebrates grand opening of Polson office

Summit Independent Living – a disability services and advocacy nonprofit serving Western Montana – will celebrate the grand opening of its Polson location from 12:30-2 p.m. Aug. 23 at 3 Ninth Avenue West, Suite 1.

Visitors will be able to tour the new space, meet Summit staff and peer advocates, enjoy snacks and refreshments, and learn about the services that Summit will be bringing to the county seat.

“Opening our new office in Polson will allow us to serve more of Lake and Sanders counties, and better,” said Executive Director Tami Hoar in a statement, “whether that’s helping someone find the services they need, teaching them skills to live independently, or just providing a space where they can find their community.”

All of Summit’s Lake and Sanders county services are now centered in the Polson office, which is one of four locations in Western Montana.

In addition to disability services, the nonprofit offers a variety of classes, clubs and other activities. The Polson office currently offers a month-long workshop in community living skills for people with disabilities, along with a summer jobs club for local kids 15 and up.

September will bring a 12-week Living Well class on independent living, followed by a statewide boot camp to help parents creating Individualized Education Plans, or IEPs, for their children.

A weekly arts and crafts club is slated for October, led by a Polson-based peer advocate.

Summit Independent Living is a non-residential non-profit organization that provides peer-delivered services to help people with disabilities gain independence, skills and access to community resources. Summit also works to build awareness and reduce barriers for Montanans with disabilities, combat discrimination and promote resources, programs, and policies for its consumers.

For more information, visit www.summitilc.org.