by Kristin Kruse
Tucked away on Fort Owen Ranch just to the north of Fort Owen State Park is the Summit Career Center, a nonprofit organization that offers a free career training program targeted towards highly motivated people ages 18 and older in both Ravalli and Missoula Counties. In addition to free career training, Summit offers mentoring, support and friendship to whoever walks through their doors. This program is the brainchild of power duo Myla Yahraus, the owner of the Fort Owen Ranch and founder of the center, and co-founder and Executive Director Jacqueline Stevens. The center opened its doors in 2020 after Yahraus and Stevens put their heads together to decide what was needed or not needed in the community. They came up with the concept of a career center, which is modeled after a highly successful organization in Denver, called “CrossPurpose.” It offers similar services, according to Stevens.
The six-month program offered is broken down into three phases. Stevens stated that the first phase is called “personal development,” which involves aptitude testing to identify what each individual’s specific strengths are, and to help guide them towards an appropriate career path.
The second stage is certification. Students work onsite through a chosen online professional certification or pre-apprenticeship course. During this second phase, participants are also trained in “soft skills,” such as how to create a resume, interviewing, self branding and public speaking.
The third and final phase is called “career launch,” according to Stevens. Students are required to attend Monday through Thursday, from 8:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. or 2 p.m. They are also required to attend what is called a “family gathering,” which takes place on Tuesday evenings from 6 to 7:30 p.m. During this time, guest speakers are invited to share their stories, wisdom and advice.
The program relies on “Allies,” or volunteers, from the community to help mentor and educate in addition to their dedicated staff. Mark Matthews works for Summit as a recruiter/coach, Nancy Eckert is the Personal Skills Instructor, and Tamara Thomasson works as a Life/Career Coach. Students are held highly accountable and are allowed one tardy and one missed day during the first phase, which helps to prepare them for the expectations an employer would have. “This is your job,” as Stevens tells students. Students are also given a $200 stipend for the six months they are working towards their goals.
One of the requirements to graduate is that the student finds a full time job making a minimum of $17 per hour. The center also works closely with several large local companies, such as Doyles Sheehan, to employ graduates of the program.
According to Stevens and Yahraus, this is “a life changing program” with several success stories. One of their favorite stories involves a student who entered the program as a nine-time felon with low self esteem, but a desire to improve her life. “The changes that occurred to this person in the first six weeks were incredible,” said Stevens, “and by the career launch phase she had secured her dream job in the medical field. We want to move people in generational poverty into generational wealth.”
Career options include, but are not limited to, bookkeeping, paralegal, pharmacy technician, dental assistant, IT specialist and construction. All courses are offered at no cost to participants.
Later this month a class of six students will be graduating from the program and enrollment is currently open for the next start date in May. Yahraus said that ideally each session would have 15-20 students, as they are able to accommodate many more than they have served.
For more information on how to get involved, or to apply to the program, visit the website, summitcareercenter.org.