HEARTISM COMMUNITY CENTER

PROVIDING EDUCATION AND SOCIALIZATION FOR SPECIAL NEEDS OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM OR OTHER NEURODIVERSITY AND THEIR FAMILIES. PROGRAM COVERS OUR RURAL AREA STRECHING 84 MILES FROM SULA TO LOLO, MT. OUR VISION: BRINGING FAMILIES TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE THE DIVERSE GIFTS OF CHILDREN OF ALL ABILITIES THROUGH CREATIVE LEARNING TO ENCOURAGE A LIFE BEYOND LABELS. HCC WAS THE FIRST CERTIFIED AUTISM CENTER IN MONTANA IN 2020 GIVING OPPORTUNITIES TO FAMILIES AND CHILDREN TO THRIVE IN A SENSORY FRIENDLY, SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT. GAINING CONFIDENCE, CONNECTING WITH OTHERS AND LEARNING PRE-JOB SKILLS WHILE HAVING FUN IS PRICELESS ART: APPROXIMATELY 50 FAMILIES PARTICIPATED THIS YEAR IN ART, MUSIC, COOKING CLASSES AND SUMMER PROGRAMS. HCC EDUCATED COMMUNITY MEMBERS ABOUT THE AUTISM SPECTRUM AND DIVERSITY THROUGH OUTREACH AT PRESCHOOLS AND 13 COMMUNITY EVENTS. AFTERSCHOOL ART, EXERCISE FUNFIT, TODDLER SENSORY PLAY, MUSIC AND KARAOKE/DANCE, ALONG WITH SUMMER CAMPS PROVIDED 274 FREE OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN LEARNING THIS YEAR ART CLASSES PROVIDE THE GIFT OF CONNECTION AND CREATIVE EXPRESSION WITH ONE ANOTHER AND THE COMMUNITY IN A SAFE, INCLUSIVE SPACE. MUSIC, DANCE & CAMPS: MUSIC THERAPY, DANCE, SENSORY ACTIVITIES AND OUTDOOR SUMMER CAMPS INCORPORATE STEAM AND OTHER CONCEPTS INTO ENJOYABLE LEARNING EXPERIENCES THE YOUNG ADULT SOCIAL CLUB IS ONE OF THE MANY PROGRAMS THAT ENRICH THE COMMUNITY AND CREATE OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN PRE-JOB SKILLS. MAKING A DIFFERENCE: HANDS-ON PROJECTS LIKE WEAVING, PAINTING, AND PLAYING MUSIC ENCOURAGE CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES TO CONNECT WITH COMMUNITY WHILE LEARNING VALUABLE SOCIAL SKILLS.