Center helps people overcome their disabilities
After Debra LaVanway was severely injured in a car wreck, she turned to Summit Independent Living Center for help.
“I just can’t say enough good about them, because they’ve been absolutely phenomenal to me,” said LaVanway, who now serves as a peer advocate for Summit Independent Living, helping others overcome obstacles to an independent life.
“They’re amazing people and they’re very accommodating,” LaVanway said. “They meet your need, whatever it is.”
Summit Independent Living Center is committed to empowering the independence of people with disabilities. Summit offers a wide range of services designed to give people with disabilities the tools and resources needed to improve independence, self-confidence, knowledge, skills and access to community resources.
When LaVanway was injured, her son called Summit Independent Living and the agency has assisted her in a variety of ways, including providing classes and help with resources.
“The classes help with disabilities and how to cope with them so you can live a life that’s fulfilling,” LaVanway said. “I just want to tell them thank you and God bless you because they’re so awesome. They have made a difference in my life.”
Summit Independent Living is one of the many agencies and services that benefit from the local United Way campaign. Great Things Happen When We Live United is the theme of the 2015 fund drive, which benefits a variety of non-profit agencies that help our neighbors throughout Northwest Montana.
The monetary goal is $850,000. The campaign is underway through Dec. 31.
Donations to the annual fund drive benefit United Way member agencies and services in Flathead County, serving thousands of local individuals and families with a variety of needs. Last year, United Way Member Agencies helped 50,873 people in need. Ninety-nine percent of all money raised stays in local communities to help local citizens.
Donors may choose how to donate, including cash, payroll deductions, charging to credit cards, direct bill or through automatic bank transfers.
Donors also may designate which member agencies or local affiliated partner agencies or the Montana Shares Federation they want to receive their gifts. For more information on the United Way campaign, call 752-7266.
Donations may be mailed to P.O. Box 7217, Kalispell, MT 59904.
For more information on making a difference in our community through supporting the United Way, call (406) 752-7266.
Current member agencies are Big Brothers and Sisters, Boy Scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs of Glacier Country, CASA For Kids, Flathead CARE, Flathead Food Bank, Flathead Youth Home, Girl Scouts, Head Start, Literacy Center of Northwest Montana, Mental Health Crisis Line, Nurturing Center, Retired & Senior Volunteer Program, Samaritan House, Sinopah House, Special Friends Advocacy Program, Summit Independent Living Center and the Violence Free Crisis Line and Abbie Shelter.
Services supported by the United Way include Disaster Care Services, Gateway Community Center, Leaders of Tomorrow, United Way 2-1-1 Montana Database Project, Grocery Delivery Program, Teens in Crisis, AARP and VITA Tax Service, Best Beginnings Community Council, Good Grief Camp and the United Way Volunteer Center.
The United Way also supports the following emergency food and shelter programs in Northwest Montana: Bread Basket, Community Harvest Food Bank, Flathead Food Bank, Flathead Youth Home, Helping Hands Fund, Hot Springs Food Pantry, Libby Food Pantry, Mission Valley Food Pantry, Northwest Montana Veterans Food Pantry, Salvation Army Meal Program, Samaritan House and Troy Food Pantry.