The Women of the Agency are proud to support Camp Harmony, which recently wrapped up its summer camp program for at-risk, impoverished children from Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura counties. The overnight camp program reaches over 700 children a year with summer and winter programs for 7-11-year-olds and is designed to inspire and empower campers as well as help them develop positive self-esteem.
“It’s absolutely incredible to witness the life-altering experience Camp Harmony gives the children of Los Angeles,” says The Agency’s Darian Robin, a long-time supporter and advocate of the program, which runs in the Santa Monica Mountains area of Malibu. “It begins with the ride to camp. There is all this noise, excitement and activity on the bus from Downtown L.A., but when it turns onto the Pacific Coast Highway, there is a sudden silence as the kids mouths drop at the sight of the ocean. Many of these children have never seen the ocean before. Some have never been out of the inner city, and some arrive with just the clothes on their backs. The camp store provides them with everything they need for their stay.”
Camp Harmony was founded by United in Harmony, the non-profit organization established in 1989 to combat homelessness and poverty facing children in the L.A. community. Children grow through interactions with teenage and adult role models while experiencing nature, exploring the arts, sports and an array of enriching activities. It’s place where kids can be kids, without the stress that affects their everyday lives and where each day is filled with adventure, fun and love.
Camp Harmony is 100% volunteer run from the Board of Directors to the camp counselors, which include 300 teens from 40 area high schools. United in Harmony’s post-camp leadership program enables counselors to maintain relationships with campers throughout the year.
“Not only does the camp change the lives of the campers, it also changes the lives of the teenage counselors during an influential time in their young lives. There is such commitment, love and compassion that develops from being a part of Camp Harmony; many counselors remain a part of the program into adulthood,” Darian adds.
One former counselor, Jordan Passman, recently formed Harmony Young Ambassadors to fundraise for Camp Harmony and remain connected with the organization. United in Harmony’s annual fundraiser, The Harmony Round Up, will be held on November 6. For details, tickets and raffle donations, please contact Wendy Klappholz at wendy@unitedinharmony.org.
For volunteer information and to support this great cause, please visit unitedinharmony.org. To reach Harmony Young Ambassadors, click here.
