History
In 2009 Harmony's founder, Tressie Seegers, was working in a high school life skills class at Akins High School in Austin, TX. As the summer of 2009 approached, parents and caretakers were discussing the lack of summer camps that would accommodate their loved ones with developmental disabilities. With an entrepreneurial spirit, Seegers rented 3 rooms from Akins High School and created her own summer camp called Harmony. It filled a need and quickly grew in popularity among the disability community. In 2010, Harmony expanded to a former grocery store space that had been re-purposed as a small business incubator and transitioned into a program that was offered all year long. During this time, Harmony achieved 501(c)(3) status from the IRS. In 2011, Harmony received a seed money grant from A Glimmer of Hope Foundation that enabled them to move to its current space on W. Stassney in South Austin, TX. Since 2009, Harmony has touched over 100 lives and continues to enrich lives every day.
Specialties
Harmony is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to enrich the lives of adults with developmental disabilities through art, music and community. Harmony meets its mission by conducting art and music enrichment sessions Monday through Friday for adults with developmental disabilities ages 19 and up as well as hosting a monthly dance party on the first Saturday of every month that's open to the disability community. Harmony participants have regular art and music shows that build a bridge to the community and include them in society by honoring their talent and giving them a strong sense of purpose in life. The Harmony Charity Thrift and Gift Store is located next to the art and music studios and helps sustain the nonprofit program that is offered at a low rate to enable everyone to have an opportunity to benefit from Harmony's programs.
