Ty and Suzanne Harris believe they’ve found their calling.

The Weatherly couple, who are the parents of a 26-year-old son with autism, started a foundation to help families such as their own.

It’s the We Are One Foundation.

The all-volunteer nonprofit has served more than 1,000 people in the past year by hosting free, inclusive events in Northeastern Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia area.

“You always wonder what your calling is going to be, and one day, the light bulb went on,” Suzanne said. “We wanted to be the change that we wanted to see.”

Founded in 2024, We Are One is dedicated to enhancing the lives of special needs individuals of all ages and their families, and supporting other similar groups within the state.

The organization, through its volunteer base, raises funds and sponsors events that foster growth, a sense of belonging and simple joy for individuals with special needs.

Kobe, their second son, is nonverbal, but Ty described him as their wonder child. He’s especially gifted when it comes to electronics, such as computers and cellphones, Suzanne added.

His auditory processing is also delayed, she said, which means people might have to ask him three times to do something before something clicks for him.

But Kobe also loves to go places and do things, and the movie theater, Chuck E. Cheese and Dave & Busters are among his favorites.

Growing up, though, Kobe didn’t get invited to parties or social events or even have friends, his parents said.

When Kobe was in high school, information and resources weren’t readily available, and sometimes, schools don’t provide information either, Suzanne said.

“We’re working to make that better,” she said. “We’re working to get that communication out there.”

The foundation and its volunteers and caregivers share information with one another, provide resources and information to educate and teach parents, Suzanne said.

“Knowledge is power,” she said. “Knowledge is going to help them. Knowledge is going to put their mind at ease.”

‘Everyone belongs’

Before forming the foundation, Ty and Suzanne began organizing events, such as dances at Eurana Park in Weatherly, just to give Kobe somewhere to go and something to do.

Those fun, inclusive events would often have 50 to 75 people, because they included the entire family, not just the special needs individual.

“A lot of them do not go out in public because they’re worried about the stares and stuff like that,” Ty said.

The foundation’s events are different, they said. No one judges or stares, as it’s a safe space for everyone — caregivers and those with special needs.

“For two to three hours, we want people to know that you are safe,” Suzanne said. “You won’t be judged, you won’t be talked about, and you are among people that are going through what you go through.

“This gives you a chance to breathe and just watch your individual, your loved one, have fun.”

Suzanne said some families reported that when the group had movie events, it was the first time they had been to a movie as a family in years.

“We have all levels of disability that come,” she said. “It’s not only autism. It could be Down syndrome; there were developmental delays.

“Everyone experiences our dances and activities in their own way. Some aren’t able to come into the dance. We have one man who just looks at us from the outside, because it’s too much stimulation.”

Another, a girl who uses a wheelchair, will get on the floor and crawl because she wants to dance and play, Suzanne said. Another young girl in an electric wheelchair will just rock and laugh.

“In our audience, you hear shrills and laughs and people talking, and everyone is OK with it,” she said. “That’s the beauty of this organization and our events. Everyone belongs. Nobody’s judged. Everybody’s comfortable.

“Everybody is not afraid to be themselves.”

Ty said participants, especially caregivers and volunteers, can’t help but feel energized and positive leaving one of their events.

“If you come straight out of an event and do not leave full of positive energy and being happy, then there’s something wrong with you,” he said.

Outreach efforts

The foundation tries to do two events a month for its families. A recent event was karaoke, which was a huge hit, and they tried bowling for the first time this month.

Other events included arts and crafts, an aloha dance, an inaugural kickball tournament, movies, sensory-friendly events at Chuck E. Cheese, and holiday dances. Two upcoming events are an Easter Egg Hunt with the Easter Bunny on April 4, and a luau dance on April 26 from 1-3 p.m. at Eurana Park. More information on the events and foundation are on its social media page and website, weareonefoundation.net.

Area businesses contribute to the foundation-sponsored events, and a small army of dedicated volunteers and board members help make them a reality.

We Are One recently supported an event at the Hometown Volunteer Fire Company in which first responders learned about autism and helping those with special needs.

The foundation supplied snacks and drinks at the training as well provided hand-crocheted support characters to give to children and people with special needs during emergencies, Suzanne said.

The foundation also has support from the Fairmount Sports Association in Philadelphia, which is where Ty hails from, and the Eagles Autism Foundation.

The Harrises went to a Philadelphia Eagles signing event and showed one of the players a picture and explained what they’re doing. The player got 15 of the jerseys that they purchased signed.

That kindness and generosity funded the foundation’s first year, Ty said.

“This is the most important thing that I’ve done,” Ty said. “I’ve found a purpose.”

Suzanne said that she wanted a better world for their son and his peers — anyone from infants to age 80, she said.

“We wanted to build that change,” she said. “We wanted to make a difference. And thank God we have the support system around us — the community, family, friends and board members.”