The Latest News

Neatening up the front page of our site-- here's the new go-to spot for the latest Harmony happenings!

Update 7/23/2024

If you're wondering what's up with the building in Hawthorn Woods that we've been trying to purchase for a stand-alone center for homeschoolers, the answer is: not much! The lawyers for both sides of the real estate transaction are still "working on it." They're doing some digging and communicating with the village on our behalf to determine if there is truly no path forward.

The most unfortunate part about the situation is that this seller has been trying to sell this property for nearly 4 years, but the Building and Zoning Department of HW seems to be unwilling to budge an inch to accommodate anyone interested in purchasing it. The current zoning is extremely limited, and they won't consider any types of variances whatsoever, it appears. So, it's basically at a stand-still for the moment, but the door has not been completely closed. Believe it or not, I still have a contract to purchase it--a contract fully contingent on being granted a permit to conduct business there.

So for now, I've switched my attention to the present moment and how we can get things rolling for the fall in our temporary rented space in Palatine. Oh, you haven't heard, you say? ;) Why, please do read more here!

In other news, I did hit another speedbump, I'm sorry to say. I discovered that as a "for-profit" business, I cannot legally use volunteers!! Whaaa!? Enlisting the help of a number of volunteer parents and teens was a huge part of the plan to help Harmony sustain itself and keep costs to families down, while also helping out many families who may need a little $$ assistance by working to earn future tuition credits. Win-win. Apparently, the government disagrees. :(

Anyone who does work for a business--even if you call them a "volunteer"--is actually employed by the business in the eyes of the law and must therefore be paid minimum wage ($14.00/hour in Illinois) plus employment taxes (about $2.00/hour) along with worker's comp and liability insurance. Now, I would never begrudge anyone fair pay, but sadly I do foresee this realistically putting a cap on how many parents I can "employ" to help defer tuition costs. My motivation was and IS to make Harmony affordable, and hiring-beyond-my-means will not help that cause.

I can still operate an "apprentice" program (think "interns") for teen volunteers and offer them the opportunity to work-to-earn credits so long as they are gaining educational benefit from the experience.

There's still SO much to work out/figure out, but for now it's a disappointing truth. This process has been all about hitting a roadblock and then finding the work-around, time and time again. So here, once more, we re-group. The plan is still to employ parents and offer sliding scales to help families that need it afford Harmony, but there may be less tuition help to go around than I previously wished for. Not to fear. Where there is a will there's a way. I deeply want people who want to benefit from Harmony's services to be able to--not just the financially privileged.

In all this, there is the question of being "for-profit" vs. "non-profit"--it's a question I have been analyzing up, down, and sideways for months! For now, we have to be structured "for-profit," (all that really means is less tax incentives for us...) but the option is there to change in the future potentially. If you're curious to understand more about that decision-making process and why I am not going the non-profit route for now, please check out the last FAQ question.

Update 7/15/2024:

I love this update!  After soooo many "NO's" and closed doors, we have gotten a YES!!!

SOME Harmony programming will officially begin once weekly this September in a rented space from Countryside Church Unitarian Universalist at 1025 N. Smith St. Palatine, Illinois 60067.  

The long-term goals for Harmony haven't changed--it's still to work toward having our own space and growing into the full Harmony vision--but you've got to start somewhere, I guess!!  CCUU's and Harmony's missions are very well-aligned, and they have a wonderful space so I feel excited and grateful about being able to switch our short-term focus away from a property hunt and onto getting some programming running for our kids!!

I want to acknowledge there are definitely some diversions from the Harmony vision for the time being... I'm calling them compromises at this point.  It's a little farther south than we've been looking.  It's not the dedicated space we long for.  It's not (yet) a multi-day program with the flexibility I'm dreaming of...  

BUT, let's focus on what it IS:

It IS starting this fall!

It IS a community with the shared "Harmony Tenets" values of mutual respect, leading with kindness, and a focus on inclusion.  

It IS drop-off for 5/6+ (but you can hang around if you wish).

It IS secular.

It IS programming that supports the homeschooling journey with many of the components so many of us our seeking:  a chance for kids to grow & learn in caring community under quality, qualified leadership.

Poke around the site to discover all the many changes to reflect our flagship season ahead!

Can you give us some QUICK feedback?  Click here!  THANKS!

Update 7/10/2024

The Village of Hawthorn Woods canceled our public hearing (we were seeking a Special Use Permit to use a commercial building/house for a permanent home for Harmony), essentially denying the request to even consider our application for a permit because...  semantics?

Lawyers are looking it over.  Not lookin' good for this property.  :(

Update 6/17/2024:

(HEARING CANCELED)  HEY!  We could use your help getting Harmony a home!  There's a Public Hearing Meeting set for July 16th at 6:30 (that's a change!) at the Hawthorn Woods Village Office (2 Lagoon Drive).  Please send an email & sign our petition to support us!  Share with friends! ​